Manchester wins multiple awards at CUBO

03 Jul 2018

Social responsibility was the highlight of the night at the recent CUBO Awards (Colleges & University Business Officers)

The Directorate for the Student Experience successfully won three awards for projects that not only support the wider Manchester community but also enhance the experience that students receive whilst at university.

The awards were for:

Innovation in Student Experience - for Give It Don't Bin It

This is a campaign aimed at encouraging students to donate unwanted items to charity when they leave halls and homes, instead of discarding them in landfill. The campaign works in partnership with six organisations to create a single unified campaign for all of the 70,000 students living in Manchester. Since working with the British Heart Foundation the campaign has raised the equivalent of £1.3million.

Business Partner of the Year - for a partnership with the Nationwide Cycling Academy

This project has provided over 600 discounted second hand bikes to students from as little as £30, to help them choose a more economical and sustainable travel option when in Manchester, whilst helping reduce air pollution at the same time. The team also provide bike maintenance and training for students and has been running for over three years.

Excellence in Student Sport Experience - for the sport participation programme

Sport participation has soared from 6,914 people to 16,816 within two years with student participation increasing by 143% since 2015. Student satisfaction in sport offers has increased by 10%, whilst volunteer involvement in delivering a variety of sport offers has increased by 167%.

The University was also shortlisted for two other awards, which included:

• Innovation in Catering - Sustainability in Catered Halls
• Best Residential Life Initiative - for the team's work on tackling drug issues in halls

Helen McGlashan, Director of Residential & Sport Services, said: “This is the first time a university has ever been shortlisted for five awards at CUBO. To win three of them is a fantastic achievement that demonstrates Manchester’s commitment to making a difference across our halls and throughout our community.”

Professor James Thompson, Vice-President for Social Responsibility, said: “Well done to everyone involved from across the Directorate of the Student Experience and the partner organisations. Being shortlisted for five awards at a national level, that all have a direct link to social responsibility, is great recognition for the University.”