Liverpool John Moores University scooped University of the Year at the Educate North Awards 2017 last night.
LJMU was awarded the top accolade at a glittering ceremony in Manchester, beating off competition from the University of Liverpool and the University of Newcastle.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Weatherill accepted the award, commenting:
“I am delighted that Liverpool John Moores University has won this prestigious award. This is testament to years of hard work by our staff and shows exactly what we can achieve by working together as a team, which makes LJMU the modern pioneering university in the North.
“It is fitting that this exceptional achievement comes in the 25th anniversary year of LJMU – another landmark in the history and journey of our university.”
The judging panel commended LJMU for its local, regional and national contribution as well as good leadership.
LJMU successes credited for the win include:
- The University becoming the first to receive two commended judgements from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) during its Higher Education Review
- Sensor City, a joint venture between LJMU and the University of Liverpool, received £5 million from the ERDF to support the development of the hi-tech hub
- LJMU was one of only 18 universities to secure part of the multimillion pound government fund for 200 new Degree Apprenticeships
- LJMU’s Centre for Entrepreneurship won national and international awards including UK BEIS Enterprising Britain Award – Building Enterprise Skills 2016, UK national winner: European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA) 2016 and Overall European winner: Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills EEPA 2016
Behind all of these achievements, and more, is a story of sustained institutional improvement at LJMU that has included a significant increase in research funding, increases in postgraduate student registrations and sustained improvements in the student experience.
Educate North is an initiative which aims to celebrate the success and growth of the knowledge sector across the North of England. It was established to recognise the huge economic and social contribution that the HE and FE sectors add to the North.
LJMU also had six projects nominated in categories including Business/Industry Collaboration, Employer Engagement, and Student Experience, demonstrating the University’s commitment to producing exceptional teaching, facilities, research and knowledge transfer.
The event showcases best practice and the world-class status of many of the North’s leading HE institutions, along with high level presentations and debate.
The Educate North Awards initiative is delivered in association with The Telegraph, the University of Manchester Intellectual Property, the Alliance Manchester Business School and John Kennedy CBE.
With roots tracing back to 1823, LJMU is proud of ensuring that the benefits of a university education are accessible to everyone with academic ability, irrespective of their social or economic background. The University is committed to delivering a research-informed and supportive student experience, producing graduates who are valued contributors to society.