Student Union awards honour caring employers in ceremony’s 10-year milestone
Work placement employers who supported students at the University of Wolverhampton through pandemic challenges are set to be celebrated.
The University of Wolverhampton’s Students’ Union Awards will this year mark its 10th anniversary and for the first time, recognise exceptional placements and individual placement experiences.
The new awards come alongside existing recognition for outstanding staff and students themselves.
University of Wolverhampton students spend significant time with major Midlands employers – from schools and hospitals to innovative teams of entrepreneurs.
Now, an award for Placement Provider of the Year will pay tribute to consistency in offering excellent learning opportunities and nurturing wellbeing.
An outstanding contribution to the student placement experience category honours those showing compassion and getting to know students as individuals.
Excellence in teaching, academic support and student activities are also recognised in this year’s awards which gained a record around 250 nominations.
Winners from 19 categories will be announced at a night honouring all those shortlisted, on Thursday, May 26.
Placement of the Year finalists are:
- The Telford Partnership And St George’s CofE Primary School
- Rapid Response Team – Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
- Chadsmead Primary Academy, Lichfield
Finalists for outstanding contribution for the student placement experience are:
Teacher Adam Richards from St George’s CofE Primary School, Telford
Hayley Hathaway and Leanne Morton from Chadsmead Primary Academy, Lichfield.
They were chosen by a panel of judges: CEO University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union, Nirmla Devi, Business Development Manager, Magdalena Komarzewska, Interim Senior Operations Manager
Stuart McCulloch, Student Governor, Tobi Falana and Associate Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Sukhvinder Singh.
Nirmla said: “The two exciting new awards this year reflect how important work placements are for our students, as well as recognising what a challenging year it has been.
“The Students’ Union Awards is already an opportunity for students to show recognition and celebrate the achievements of University staff, SU staff and their fellow students that have helped make their life at the University better so it makes perfect sense to add placements into the mix when a placement is such a key part of university experience.
“It’s with this in mind that two new categories have been introduced this year to recognise placement providers that have a life-changing, far-reaching positive impact on the student journey.
“We are proud of the impact our students are having in diverse working environments as part of their courses and grateful for the welcome support and inspiration they benefit from.”
“What better way of looking forward with optimism and positivity than with this important night where students have had their say on recognising their peers, staff and potential employers for all they have achieved or how they have helped others.”
Awards also include:
- Lecturer of the year
- SU Students staff
- Championing Diversity Student and Staff Award
· Pastoral Care
· Dissertation supervisor
A full list of categories and shortlisted nominated entrants is available online at:
https://www.wolvesunion.org/awards/
Picture by Linda Aitchison. Picture caption: Left to right, Sukhvinder Singh, Tobi Falana and Nirmla Devi part of the judging panel.
