THE UNIVERSITY of Derby is celebrating after being nominated as University of the Year at the UK's most prestigious awards ceremony for the higher education sector, The Times Higher Awards, masterminded by the Times Higher Education Supplement, are higher education's 'Oscars', and reward outstanding achievement.
It narrowly lost out to the University of Exeter at a glittering awards ceremony in London.
The University of the Year accolade was awarded to the UK institution that the judging panel felt had demonstrated exceptional performance in the past acad
emic year.
Although research, teaching, access and business performance were taken into account by the judges, the main criterion was evidence of particular bold, imaginative and innovative initiatives that have advanced the institution's reputation between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007.
The University was also shortlisted for another category: Preparing for a Performance Culture - Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development. The other institutions in that category were Hertfordshire University, Oxford University, Aberdeen University, Edinburgh University, and Teesside University. Aberdeen won the overall title.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Coyne."We were delighted to be nominated for University of the Year and it would have been a great boost to have won. Nevertheless we can all take great pride from just being there.
"It was also terrific to have our colleagues from Human Resources as finalists in their category.
"Even though they didn't take the title this time, we know the great work they do and they did receive recognition in winning two top awards at their professional body's annual awards."
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