News

Thursday 25 September 2008

University in line for top industry awards

An excellent contribution to sustainable development and a first-class student financial support package has seen Nottingham Trent University shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards. The University is in line for two Times Higher Awards, organised to celebrate the achievements of British higher education.

The University will find out whether it has been successful in the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development and Outstanding Student Financial Support Package categories at an awards ceremony in London on 23 October.

Nottingham Trent University is a leading institution in sustainable development, highlighted through its leadership of the EcoCampus initiative, which encourages universities to address environmental issues. Its dedication to sustainable development has also seen a serious commitment in reducing carbon emissions, a reduction in waste by 100 tonnes in the last six months, and an increase in recycling by almost half.

All electricity used on the University’s City campus over the last year has been from renewable sources, and the University has also adopted a sustainable purchasing policy. A campus bus service has been introduced, transporting more than a million passengers in three years, helping to dramatically reduce the number of car journeys by students. A website has also been created charting the University’s sustainability activities.

The attractive and well-promoted financial support on offer to a wide range of students sees the University shortlisted for Outstanding Student Financial Support Package. The institution’s means-tested bursary scheme offers awards of up to £1,025 a year, with almost half of the University’s full-time UK undergraduate students paying the full (new system) tuition fees benefiting.

Prospective and current students are made aware of the bursary scheme via a range of communications – with details given to students and their parents at University and School open days and events, and publicised in University and external publications and websites. The University’s Student Financial Support team has also conducted a number of bursary awareness campaigns with enrolled students, giving them step-by-step guidance.

To encourage more local students to enter higher education, the University set up the Nottingham Trent University Nottinghamshire Bursary, a scheme for those living in the county, which has benefited almost 1,100 students in the last year. Alongside this, the University has launched an Academic Scholarship Scheme to nurture academic talent among students from low income households.

Nottingham Trent University was the first university to donate accommodation bursaries through the Foyer/UNIAID bursary scheme, which offers supported places in halls of residence to those who may not be able to take up places or are at risk of having to leave higher education because of severe financial hardship. The University also provides regular support to students who are unable to work during the summer vacation due to family commitments or disabilities.

The Editor of Times Higher Education, Ann Mroz, said: “The awards recognise the very best in higher education in the UK and we are delighted to announce that Nottingham Trent University has made it onto the shortlist for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development and Outstanding Student Financial Support Package. Our senior advisory panel has been taken from all fields of academia and had to choose from hundreds of first-class entries – only the best made it through to our shortlist.”

ENDS

Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Senior Press Officer, on telephone: +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone: +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.