Queen Mary, University of London has been shortlisted for five awards at this year’s Times Higher Education Awards, including the prestigious University of the Year Award. The full shortlist is published in the THE today (Thursday 10 September 2009).
The Times Higher Awards are higher education's 'Oscars', rewarding outstanding achievement and ground-breaking work undertaken by higher education institutions across the UK. The Awards for which Queen Mary has been shortlisted reflect the breadth of the College’s achievements across the full range of research, teaching, student experience, knowledge transfer, physical infrastructure and innovation in international affairs.
The University of the Year nomination highlights the past 12 months as the culmination of a period of outstanding achievement from across the College, including the results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise; the completion of our multi-million pound Estates Strategy; and the success of our unique Joint Programme with the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications in China.
Queen Mary has also been shortlisted for the ‘Most Improved Student Experience’ award. This award nomination – which is based on anonymous student feedback – is further evidence of the considerable investment the College has made in student services and support over the last year.
Acting Principal, Professor Philip Ogden, commented: “These nominations are a reflection of the outstanding success Queen Mary has enjoyed during the last year. Given the intense competition this really is a stunning success for the College.”
In addition to the two corporate awards, Dr Paul Curzon from the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science has been nominated for Teacher of the Year and Dr Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke from the Institute of Cancer has been nominated for Research Project of the Year.
Professor John Stark from the School of Engineering and Materials Science has been nominated for the Serendipity Award. This new award for 2009 recognises entrepreneurial spirit in universities and rewards researchers who have spotted and seized unexpected opportunities for economic and/or societal impact arising from research.
Queen Mary is no stranger to the THES Awards shortlist. In 2006 the College received four nominations, winning in two categories; Professor Lisa Jardine scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dr Dan Todman picked up Young Academic Author of the Year. In 2007 Queen Mary spin out company, ApaTech, won the Business initiative of the year award, and Performing Medicine, which brings together medicine and drama, won the award for Excellence in Innovation and the Arts. And in 2008, Professor Peter Hennessey received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner on Thursday 15 October 2009.
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