2022 at UWL
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2022 has been a year full of change, but one thing that’s consistent is the hard work and incredible achievements of UWL staff, students and alumni. As we look back over the year, there's a lot to celebrate!
Here are a few of the standout stories of 2022:
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UWL tops the rankings for Teaching Quality and Student Experience
UWL was named “University of the Year for Teaching Quality” and “University of the Year for Student Experience” in the prestigious The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 and is described as ‘home to the nation’s most contented students’ in the Guide. UWL is now ranked in the top ten universities in London and has risen to an impressive 40th place in the national rankings.
National Student Survey: UWL ranked No. 1 in the UK for Student Satisfaction
The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) were published on 6 July and UWL achieved some outstanding results. We were ranked No. 1 in the UK for Student Satisfaction, for Student Voice and for Academic Support and in the top 10 for all NSS themes in England. Definitely something for everyone at UWL to be proud of!
UWL is No. 23 in the Guardian University Guide 2023
Great news for UWL, as it achieved its highest ever position in the UK league tables, climbing to an impressive No. 23 – up 12 places from last year - in the Guardian University Guide 2023 rankings of UK higher education institutions. The prestigious independent guide ranks UWL as No. 23 out of 121 universities nationwide.
Remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
During the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our University was proud to have an ongoing relationship with her and the wider Royal Household. Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter John CBE, mourns the Queen’s passing and shares his gratitude for her wisdom and dedication.
Little Simz wins a BRIT and the Mercury Prize
Little Simz – a former UWL student – won Best New Artist at this year’s BRIT Awards and then the Mercury Prize for her fourth album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’. The rapper, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, came to UWL’s London College of Music to study Music Management before her career took off.
Read more about the BRIT award and Mercury Prize.
Business brains battle it out on campus as UWL features in The Apprentice
UWL featured in BBC1’s The Apprentice after candidates filmed a task on campus. Heading to St Mary’s Road, contestants made use of the Pillars Kitchen where they were taught to prepare freshly caught fish ready for sale. Showing off our leading facilities on screen, we also welcomed business expert, Karen Brady to watch over the hopefuls as they battled it out to be offered the chance to go into business with Sir Alan Sugar.
UWL lead pioneering research project funded by British Heart Foundation
AI experts from UWL and clinicians from Imperial College London were awarded £1.5 million in funding by the British Heart Foundation to lead a nationwide research project on integrating AI into cardiovascular medicine. The five-year project will see experts from UWL work with physiologists from 21 NHS hospitals to build on research integrating AI into the use of ultrasound scans to examine the action of the heart.
UWL academic advises HRH Prince of Wales on the future of sustainable flight
HRH King Charles – then the Prince of Wales - joined leading figures in the aviation industry to discuss the future of sustainable aviation and to find out how research from UWL is helping to deliver net-zero emissions in aviation by 2050. Visiting the Whittle Laboratory in Cambridge, Charles discussed cutting-edge developments in zero-emission flight technology, developed by a multi-disciplinary team of experts.
Channel 5 News asks UWL students about Kate Bush’s chart resurgence
With 'Running Up That Hill' charting around the world, Kate Bush hit the headlines as she had her first ever American top ten hit. The song was at number eight, 37 years after its original release, thanks to its inclusion in the cult Netflix sci-fi series ‘Stranger Things’. Channel 5 News reporter Ruth Liptrot stopped by UWL to get London College of Music (LCM) music students’ take on the renewed success of Kate’s classic song.
Dementia: The Final Indignity
Important research from UWL was showcased on BBC Radio 4’s File on 4 programme. The programme - one of the BBC’s most prestigious current affairs shows - was given exclusive access to a major research project headed by Professor Katie Featherstone Director of UWL’s Geller Institute for Ageing and Memory into the continence care provided to dementia patients in England and Wales, exploring a hidden and poorly understood aspect of everyday care.
UWL’s ‘Singing Nurse’ wins ‘The Voice’
Since first wowing judges in blind auditions for this singing competition, UWL nursing graduate Anthonia Edwards made the most of expert support, performing with legendary singer and her coach, Sir Tom Jones. She beat the competition to be crowned the winner, receiving a recording contract with Universal Music Group.
Supporting Ukraine: UWL acts as an exam assessment centre for Ukrainian students
UWL was proud to be one of three London-based universities that acted as assessment centres for Ukrainian young people to sit entrance exams for higher education places in Ukraine. In the face of the situation in the country, a dedicated online assessment platform allowed students to take tests remotely from wherever they were in Europe.
UWL Emeritus Professor of Nursing to receive the Order of Merit
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu was announced as one of six new members of the Order of Merit – a special honour given by the monarch, recognising ‘exceptional distinction’ in areas such as science, medicine, culture and the arts in the UK and Commonwealth realms. She is patron of the UK Sickle Cell Society which she helped to found more than 40 years ago.
UWL ranked 1st class for sustainability
UWL was given a 1st class award (17th place overall, climbing from 57th in 2021, putting them in the top 20 of universities) by the People & Planet student campaigning network in their University League 2022/2023 for environmental efforts including carbon reduction and food sustainability. This means the University is in the top 10 of modern universities for these categories and in the top 5 in London for sustainability.
UWL awarded prestigious Athena Swan Charter for gender equality
UWL was awarded Bronze accreditation by the Athena Swan Charter, a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. The ratio of female to male employees at UWL is 56:44 and 52% of top earners are female, both above the sector average.
Summer and Winter Graduations at Twickenham Stadium
Three days of graduation ceremonies took place in July and two days in November for hundreds of UWL students, with honorary degrees also awarded at Twickenham Stadium, the home of the England rugby team. In recognition of all their hard work, hours of revision, exams, dissertations and successful coursework, the UWL graduates took centre stage, watched by their proud family and friends.
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ARTSFEST 2022
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UWL Alumni Awards 2022
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Emergence 2022 – UWL BA Photography and BA Visual Effects degree show
Some 600 people attended the private view for Emergence 2022, which took place at the Espacio Gallery in Benthal Green on 20 June.
