NUS Awards 2011

Liverpool Students’ Union and Liverpool Guild of Students used technology as a key tool in increasing voter turnout. In partnership with Magpie Communications, they devised a joint election campaign across both institutions.

The unions developed a website that received 54,256 hits during the election period, and made explicit use of their student media societies to raise the profile of elections. They also provided an open blog, enabling candidates to upload stories, pictures and videos.

Liam Burns on the collaboration: “They came up with a user-friendly, innovative and successful campaign, and for that they are a deserving winner of this new award.”

The 2010/11 academic year saw more students than ever at Dudley College become actively involved in the students’ union.

The union’s success comes from meticulous strategic planning. In summer 2010, the union set out a plan of action for the year based on clear objectives, and conducted a comprehensive review of its communications policy. The impact of the union’s development is reflected in the vast increase it has seen in student participation levels.

Liam Burns on Dudley: “In a very challenging year for further education, Dudley College Students’ Union stood out as an outstanding union enriching the lives of its members.”
 

2010/11 was a year of unparalleled success for Northumbria Students’ Union, as it truly lived up to its mission to “have a positive impact on the lives of all our students”.

The union gave greater priority to its core membership services, which, along with other broad strategic changes, saw a 129 per cent increase in student involvement in the local community, and record numbers of students participating in societies.

Liam Burns on Northumbria: “My congratulations go to Northumbria Students’ Union for their remarkable achievements in record breaking participation levels, modernising the students’ union and creating real change for its members.”
 

The University of Edinburgh Students’ Association engaged hundreds of its students in the NUS Fund Our Future campaign through its own highly original Write to Mike campaign.

The campaign harnessed the power of the collective student voice, inspiring over 1,000 students to lobby Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart to vote against the rise in tuition fees. Not only was the campaign successful, it also raised the profile of the education funding debate on campus.

Liam Burns on the campaign: “Write to Mike was an outstanding example to others, and demonstrates just how students can have an influence at the highest level.”
 

Simon Murphy, while serving as new editor for student newspaper The Courier, published a bold, sensational and meticulously researched investigative feature detailing excessive expenses claims of the university management, totalling almost £150,000.

By exposing the excesses of university management at a time of huge cuts to higher education, the article armed students with damning evidence to hold the university management to account.

Liam Burns on Simon: “As news editor of The Courier, Simon has not only produced high-quality, compelling content but has used his outstanding journalistic skills to uncover exclusive stories, tackling important student issues.”

Chester Students’ Union has run a number of initiatives over the past year, making its students a real asset to their local community.

A community clean up, a local football tournament and fundraising for a community theatre are examples of ways in which the union strengthened relationships with local residents. Its Veg Out campaign, run through the People and Planet society, brought affordable vegetables to students, encouraging healthy eating while working with local producers.

Liam Burns on Chester: “Its very impressive programme of activities has enhanced community relations and the way students are viewed as valuable members of their neighbourhood.”
 

With around 700 members, Exchange 360 at Edinburgh University has provided opportunities for students to build on their experience while studying. Through providing activities for current exchange students and information for home students considering studying abroad, it has improved the student experience of many.

Partnerships have been an important part of Exchange 360’s year. It built relationships with the university’s international office, the union’s internationalisation initiative and a number of other student societies.

Liam Burns on Exchange 360: “Its dedication to promoting exchange opportunities has transformed the student experience for so many. Building partnerships with key stakeholders has been vital.”