USW shortlisted for the THE University of the Year award

The University of South Wales (USW) has been shortlisted as the Times Higher Education’s (THE) University of the Year.

The THE awards are widely known as the 'Oscars of higher education' and celebrate a wide range of achievements.

USW was announced today (Thursday 7 September) as one of the universities shortlisted for the University of the Year award, which recognises institutions that demonstrated exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year.

The University was nominated for the impact that it has had on others during 2021-22, including:

• The creation of user-led training and curriculum such as the Digital Transformation Intensive Learning Academy with Powys Regional Partnership Board.
• Our work to develop an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs which led to more than 3,200 students been engaged in enterprise activities and 75 new businesses being started by USW students and graduates in 2021-22.
• The re-signing of the strategic partnership with five FE partners with a collaborative work plan which includes academic, vocational, and regional priorities, skills, progression pathways, curricula development, industry engagement and applied research.

Dr Cheryl Allsop has also been shortlisted as Most Innovative Teacher of the Year and Professor Ruth Northway has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year.

Dr Ben Calvert, Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Wales, said: “I am delighted that the University has been shortlisted as THE University of the Year, and colleagues have been recognised in individual categories. This is thanks to the work and dedication of all of our colleagues at USW and the focus that they have on providing impactful education, research and innovation.

“During 2021-22, we focused on integrating education and research with the needs of our partners and worked to strengthen local economies and communities by developing and mobilising collective talents and knowledge to create better futures. This was particularly important as the region was still recovering from the pandemic.

“We are proud of how we work with others, focusing on their needs, and supporting them to achieve the best possible outcomes. Whether that is making HE accessible for learners to successfully progress, assisting local entrepreneurs to flourish, tackling global challenges with our partners, or ensuring the sectors we work with have skilled workforces now, and in the future. We listen, innovate and successfully deliver for better tomorrows.”