Loughborough University wins hat trick at the 2019 Times Higher Education Awards
Loughborough University had a spectacular evening on Thursday (28 November) as it was announced the winner of three categories at THE Awards.
The awards – widely referred to as the “Oscars of higher education” – is one of the biggest celebrations of the higher education sector, recognising the outstanding work from individuals, teams and institutions across the UK.
Loughborough received the top honours in Excellence in Registry Services, Outstanding Entrepreneurial University and Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team.
Academic Registry was recognised for its influential work transforming the student experience for doctoral researchers, which the judges described as “meaningful and delivered beneficial changes in a robust manner to a sometimes-neglected student group”.
The team worked closely with other areas across the institution – in particular the Change team – to review and introduce new procedures, and enhance working relationships between PhD students, supervisors, administrators and managers.
The winning entry for Outstanding Entrepreneurial University was based on the establishment of a new enterprise ecosystem – where enterprise has been embedded in academic Schools, at senior management level, and as part of the student experience. The judges said Loughborough was a “worthy winner” because it took “a truly holistic approach” to embedding entrepreneurialism in the work of staff and students.
“The highlights include Associate Deans for Enterprise in every faculty, recognition in all staff contracts, year-long placements for more than 1,500 students, placements for those who wish to start up a business and Loughborough’s engagement in regional enterprise,” they said.
As part of initiative the University has secured funding to commercialise many innovative research projects, including a street-level flood prediction system, a railway track switch that has the potential to prevent 90% of delays caused by point failures, and a system that measures blind spots in trucks and could save more than 500 lives in Europe each year.
Judges described the University’s Marketing and Advancement department as a “dynamic” unit that exceeds “wide-ranging targets consistently”, thanks to successful campaigns in recruitment, PR and CSR initiatives.
Targets achieved within budget, a refreshed marketing strategy for international students and a creative clearing campaign were all admired by the judging panel.
In addition, they noted the team is “bolstered by strong and active leadership support” that “effectively promotes the University’s engagement, inclusivity, belonging and advocacy ethos”.
More information about the awards and the full list of winners can be found here.
View the press release on the Loughborough University website for further information and resources.
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
Specialising exclusively in postgraduate-level study, Loughborough University London is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers cutting-edge master’s and PhD degrees, as well as business collaboration, research and enterprise opportunities.
The seven specialist institutes at Loughborough University London include: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Creative Industries, and Sport Business. Close industry partnerships with a wealth of leading businesses and creative organisations means teaching and learning is informed by real-life challenges and driven by true industry pressures.