Nottingham shortlisted six times in top higher education awards

Nottingham has been shortlisted more times than any other UK university.

The awards, also known as the THELMAs, focus on the skills in management, administration, innovation, business and finance that enable universities to function effectively as large research and teaching institutions with thousands of staff and students.

Entries are shortlisted on the basis of excellent and innovative ways of working with potential to inform good practice across the sector, the ability to meet challenges effectively, improve performance over the year and improve both the student experience and the service to staff.

The University of Nottingham has more than 40,000 students, 7,800 staff and a turnover of £510m per year. It has four campuses in the UK, one in Malaysia and one in China.

Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar of The University of Nottingham, said: “To be shortlisted once or twice is impressive, but to be shortlisted in six distinct areas is a fantastic achievement and shows the breadth and scope of the excellent work being done by professional services staff every day, in every part of the University.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the teams who have been recognised in this way, and wish them all the very best for the final of the THELMAs in June.”

The University is in the running for awards in the categories of:

• Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team
• Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
• Outstanding Student Services Team
• Outstanding Student Admissions Team
• Outstanding Finance Team
• Outstanding Procurement Team

The University of Nottingham has previously won in the category of ‘Estates Initiative of the Year’ in the Leadership and Management Awards, as well a string of awards – including ‘University of the Year’ – in the separate Times Higher Awards, which focus on academic endeavour.

Ann Mroz, editor of THE, said: “Our annual awards always serve as a reminder of the extraordinary quality and dedication of those working in our universities and colleges.

“This year is no exception. Our sector, like every other, has already gone through some tough times and is facing more turbulence as the new funding regime beds in. But a glance at the shortlist for our Leadership and Management Awards is enough to instil confidence that we have the right people in place to continue to prosper and deliver the world-class higher education for which the country is rightly renowned.”

The winners of this year's awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London, on June 16.

A full list of the categories, and shortlisted institutions, can be found at:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=415820,&c=1

The Leadership & Management Awards are distinct from the Times Higher Awards, which are held in the autumn and have an academic focus.


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May Fest 2011 is on Saturday 7 May, 11am to 5.30pm, at The University of Nottingham. The University is throwing open its doors to the community – with heaps of free activities for all ages. The Physics Buskers, thunder and lightning on demand and brain games. Get a glimpse of some of the amazing things that are happening on your doorstep. Visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/mayfest

Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham, described by The Sunday Times University Guide 2011 as ‘the embodiment of the modern international university’, has award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. It is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 75 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and the QS World University Rankings. It was named ‘Europe’s greenest university’ in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, a league table of the world’s most environmentally-friendly higher education institutions, which ranked Nottingham second in the world overall.

The University is committed to providing a truly international education for its 40,000 students, producing world-leading research and benefiting the communities around its campuses in the UK and Asia.

More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranked the University 7th in the UK by research power.

The University’s vision is to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health. More news from the University at: www.nottingham.ac.uk/news