NUS president sees best Solent University has to offer
Toni Pearce, President of the National Union of Students (NUS), was keynote speaker at this year’s Solent Teaching and Recognition (STAR) Awards – a student-led initiative at Southampton Solent University to recognise staff for their outstanding contribution to teaching and support.
Nominated and voted for by students, the awards recognise the high level of commitment shown by staff at Solent – emphasising not just academic excellence but also the passion and sensitivity of support staff.
“I was really pleased to be asked to speak at these awards,” NUS President Toni Pearce said. “It’s not just about ticking a box – it’s far more in-depth, and celebrates students’ learning experience.”
Featuring live music from students on Solent’s popular music performance degree, the awards evening recognised excellence in seven areas, including the two new categories of ‘Outstanding Teaching’ and ‘Excellent Support Service’.
A panel of students and staff assessed all 128 nominations to decide on a shortlist of candidates for the event, and a student statement about each of the nominees was read out before the winner was announced. The winners were:
Outstanding Teaching Award
Nicola Chamberlain, Senior Lecturer in Fine Arts
Outstanding Feedback Award
Mike Bastin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Excellent Academic Support Award
Peter Akrill, Senior Lecturer Games Programming
Best Supervisor Award
Dominic Cunliffe, Senior Lecturer Sport Coaching/Fitness
Supporting the Student Voice Award
Matt Johnson, Senior Lecturer Sport
Supporting the Learning through Technology Award
Sally Holland, Senior Lecturer in Communication
Outstanding Employability Support Award
Jennifer Muskett, Senior Lecturer in Computing
Excellent Support Service Award
Dr Carina Buckley, Learning Skills Tutor
Solent Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Longmore, who closed the ceremony, said: “This event shows higher education at its very best - as recognised by students, who always have been at the heart of our University. It's great to see such a strong relationship between the University and its Students' Union in this celebration of staff achievement."
Notes for Editors:
The ceremony took place on Wednesday 21st May 2014
The STAR awards are funded by the NHS and Higher Education Academy, and hosted at Solent Conference Centre.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9642 or email press.office@solent.ac.uk
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students. It has been awarded ‘Gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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