The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) yesterday announced the shortlist of awards which will recognise and celebrate the achievements of UK universities and the academics who work in them. A total of 18 awards will be made in The Times Higher Awards 2006, reflecting the whole spectrum of university activity.
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to be shortlisted for two awards:
· Higher Education Institution of the Year; and
· Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
The criteria outlined for the higher education institution of the year included, that through a particularly bold or innovative initiative, the institution has advanced its reputation substantially in the course of the academic year.
For the latter award, the initiative must benefit the wider community - culturally, socially or economically and the University has clearly demonstrated this through the annual Word Festival. The figures behind the annual Festival speak volumes. The literary event injects £1.2M a year into the local economy, attracts 10,000 participants and includes events for more than 2,000 pupils from 20 local schools.
More than 90 of the UK’s universities have submitted entries for various categories this year and Aberdeen is the only Scottish institution to have made it into the shortlist for both entries.
The shortlisted group that Aberdeen is up against for Higher Education Institution of the Year includes the University of Kent; University of Nottingham; University of Leicester; and Leeds Metropolitan University.
The shortlisted group that Aberdeen is up against for the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community includes the University of Exeter; University of Hertfordshire; Leeds Metropolitan University; and Liverpool Hope University.
This is a positive endorsement of Aberdeen’s position as one of the leading universities in the UK. Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor at the University, is delighted that the institution has been shortlisted in two categories in this year’s THES awards. He said: “Aberdeen is experiencing a remarkable period of transition and is in the midst of creating the beginning of a new, and possibly the most distinguished chapter, in its sixth century history.
“Indeed, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of the University of Aberdeen. There has been an unprecedented £9m investment in Aberdeen’s intellectual leadership with 27 Chair level appointments being made in the past year.
“We are also contributing £245million a year to the economy, and we are entering our Sixth Century of achievement as an international leader in learning.
“Added to this, our Sixth Century Campaign, which aims to raise £150 million by 2010, shows that we are one of the most progressive fundraising institutions in Britain.”
The University is at the forefront of arts and social sciences, in science, computing, engineering, technology medicine, and medical sciences.
John O’Leary, Editor of the THES said: “What is very gratifying is the way the sector has swung behind the event. Not only have far more universities participated this year but the quality and diversity of entries is exceptional.
"I would particularly like to thank the Higher Education Academy, RCUK, the Office For Fair Access, Forum for the Future and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, Toshiba, Hobsons and Microsoft for their support and inspiration and our judges for their time and expertise."
Lori Manders, Director of External Affairs at the University, added: “Aberdeen has made a bold statement about how it intends to match its academic investment with new facilities. Plans for a £55.5 million library will be at the centre of a £230 million capital investment strategy for the next decade. The library will be a showcase for a collection of 250,000 historic books and manuscripts that will make Aberdeen an international centre for humanities.
“Other capital projects at different points on the way to completion include The Hub, an £8 million student centre; the £16.5 million Matthew Hay project for clinical training of students preparing for medical professions; and the £23 million Aberdeen Regional Sports Facilty.
“We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading institutions and will continue to drive our ambition to be one of the truly great universities in the world.”
The Times Higher (THES) is one of the world’s most authoritative sources of news, comment and debate on higher education. The Times Higher covers policy issues and intellectual developments world-wide. Its editorial team consists of a specialist staff of reporters based throughout the UK together with a large number of correspondents around the world, and many contributors from within the academic community.
The higher education awards, which are in their second year, are the only sector-wide ones in the UK. Their number has been expanded to 18 to reflect the range of activities today's universities are expected to cover.
The award winners will be revealed on November 15 at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.