Now in their fourth year, the Excellence Awards are the only awards at the 91¶¶Òõ that are student led, from nominations to judging. They have consistently seen high levels of engagement and 2014 was no different, with hundreds of students submitting nominations for those people they felt had made a positive impact on their academic experience.
The ceremony was hosted by the union's Vice President for Academic Affairs, Maggie Garabedyan, who said: "From organising trips, being there for students during tough times and staying late to help students access workshop space, the expertise and compassion of the staff nominated shone through in the speeches.
"Importantly, these awards celebrated some of the unsung heroes such as caretakers and administrators who work behind the scenes. It also saw awards for the dedicated, knowledgeable and inspirational tutors and postgraduate supervisors who help students succeed on their course, and are not scared of challenging them on the way."
Staff members were commended for ensuring that students had a say in how their courses were run and were consulted on issues, and for supporting students who lead the peer-assisted study session (PASS) schemes.
Course representatives who found time to support students, set up societies, raise issues and who brought about change for students in their time at university received high praise across the university and in the partner colleges.
Students who led peer-assisted learning groups were recognised for the second year running. The PASS scheme now is training around 200 leaders to reach 1500 students and the union says these volunteers have made a huge difference in the academic life of students at the university. The important role that all these students play in forming the academic community of their school is inestimable and award winners were delighted to be recognised for their hard work and dedication.
Left to right: Maggie Garabedyan, Vice President Academic Affairs; Matt Homer, Individual Support Staff Award; Cornel Amadi, Course Rep of the Year School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Amanda Fidelis, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Candice Armah, President of 91¶¶Òõ Students’ Union; Fliss Newton, Vice President Wellbeing; Paul Cooke, Vice President Campus and Communications.
Special awards were given to Information Services for "their responsiveness to student feedback and the impact they have on student life"; the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences for "outstanding work with course reps"; and to the recently-retired Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Stuart Laing for "lifetime achievement and supporting student engagement in the 91¶¶Òõ".
Keynote speaker, NUS Vice President of Union Development Raechel Mattey, spoke about how NUS and Students' Unions improve quality and access to universities both locally and nationally.