During this year’s #AberSUCelebrates week, we celebrate 10 years of the Staff and Student awards (previously known as the Student Led Teaching Awards). We took the opportunity to invite previous Education and Academic Affairs Officers to look back at some of the big achievements and changes that have happened across the University and Students’ Union over the past 10 years.
As Higher Education Institutions, our ability to constantly develop and adapt to ensure that students receive the best education and experience whilst studying here at Aberystwyth is something that everyone is proud of.
Here is a recap of the achievements of the past 10 years of Staff and Student awards:
2010/11
Bethan Foweraker
We first look back at December 2010 when the vote was passed in the House of Commons to raise the tuition fee cap to £9,000. Knowing the impact this would have, the Students’ Union worked with the University over the year to understand what study spaces could be improved and how charging £9,000 a year would be used appropriately for the student experience.
While the subsequent rise in tuition fees has been one of the biggest changes in higher education over the past 10 years, it has led to major developments in how both the Union and University respond to student feedback.
2011/12
Jess Leigh
In 2011/12 a number of development projects were completed by the University, including the opening of the Phenomics Centre at Gogerddan and the completion of the IBERS, building which is notable for its environmental credentials and green roof.
In addition, after successful campaigning by the Students Union, a much needed 24 hour study space was opened in Laura Place, as unbelievably, not everyone had internet in their housing in town!
Of course, 2011/12 was also the year of the first ever Student Led Teaching Awards, which we held on the 24th May 2012. The awards were inspired by a successful event at the University of Edinburgh, and were adapted by the AberSU to celebrate teaching excellence, support staff and student representatives! Ten years on, it is just wonderful to see that it has become an annual event, and we are proud the university continues to celebrate learning and teaching.
2012/13
Jess Leigh
During this year the Students’ Union found itself receiving praise from Parliament following the publication of the Student Housing Survey Report which looked to raise the standard of student housing in Aberystwyth, and educate students on their rights and responsibilities as tenants. The importance of this work and survey means that it's something that still takes place on a regular basis.
Within the University, new opportunities for students to study through the Welsh language were secured, with a further four Welsh medium academic posts set up due to the new working relationship with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. The University also secured funding to start the InvEnterPrize business competition to support and invest in students who have an idea for a new product or service which could be turned into a successful business venture, a competition which still provides investment opportunities today!
2013/14
Grace Burton
Following on from the success of the Students’ Union housing survey report, there a petition was presented to the Welsh Assembly which led to a commitment to run a full consultation on private sector accommodation in Wales. The campaign also saw development of a ‘Model Contract’ by Ceredigion County Council for landlords and students. As a result of these achievements, in March 2014 the Students’ Union won both Campaign of the Year and Officer Team of the Year as part of the NUS Wales Awards.
Earlier in the year, positive steps were taken towards tackling the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, with University and Students’ Union becoming the first in Wales to sign the ‘Time to Change’ pledge.
This year will also be remembered for storms that battered the seafront causing significant damage to the promenade. Due to safety concerns, those living in seafront University accommodation were evacuated up to Penglais campus for the duration of the bad weather, but once the storms subsided students were keen to get involved with local clean-up efforts.
2014/15
Grace Burton
Following the proposed closure of Pantycelyn in 2013 and continued uncertainty of its future, in 2014/15 significant campaigning efforts and protests were undertaken by UMCA. After lengthy discussions between UMCA, the Students’ Union and the University, on 22nd June 2015 the University Council finally approved the University’s intention to refurbish the halls within the next four years – a huge success for Welsh language students and Welsh culture.
Campaigning by the Students’ Union also began which aimed to ensure that postgraduate students with teaching responsibilities were considered as employees and treated fairly as member of staff, whilst also being students.
There was further cause for celebration this year when the Students’ Union received 1,113 nominations for the Student Led Teaching Awards, a record that still yet to be beaten!
2015/16
Lauren Marks
In 2015/16, there were several significant changes driven by the Students’ Union that helped to benefit our postgraduate students in particular. In December 2015, the Postgraduate Employment Charter was signed by the SU and the University, which ensures fair rates of pay and better support for postgraduate students who teach. In addition, we successfully lobbied the University to recognise Postgraduate Students in-write-up for council tax exemption. This was something we were particularly proud of, as it has had continued, long lasting benefits on postgraduate students, and because we successfully challenged legal inconsistencies to achieve this significant policy change.
Also during this academic year, students benefitted from the library being open for 24 hours a day during exam periods for the first time.
Finally, we created the Stefan's Socks campaign following a tragic loss in the student community. This campaign has continued to raise thousands of pounds for mental health causes and demonstrates the continued commitment of Aberystwyth students' to supporting those who may be affected by mental health struggles.
2016/17
Ryan Myles
Following on from the success of the extended library hours, this year was the first time Hugh Owen Library was accessible 24/7 during term time. This was also the year when the newly refurbished University gym facilities were opened after a £250,000 investment and extra investment was also put into the Students’ Union to support volunteering projects, Academic Reps and Postgraduates.
The Students’ Union also had a number of reasons to celebrate, combining our separate Sports, Societies and transformed Staff and Students Awards events into a single AberSU Celebrates week with the aim of recognising students and staff across the breadth of our activity.
We also won NUS Wales Higher Education Students’ Union of the Year Award!
2017/18
Emma Beenham
The biggest achievement of the year 2017/18 was without a doubt the University being awarded TEF Gold which is the highest rating from the Teaching Excellence Student Outcome Framework for consistently delivering outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.
Over the course of the academic year the Students’ Union worked closely with the University to develop several policies, including the completion of a full examinations process audit, part of which now ensures a full 24 hours between exams for all students.
We also updated the Student Representation Section of the Academic Quality Handbook, which has made positive changes and improved understanding of the Academic Rep role, their election and awareness and outcomes from Student Staff Consultative Committees.
Finally, the Students’ Union won two UK-wide awards this year, namely the NUS People Award and the NUS Democracy Award!
2018/19
Megan Hatfield
At the start of this Academic Year the University achieved more impressive accolades when it was rated the top University in both England and Wales for Student Satisfaction as part of the NSS, and was award The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year for Teaching Quality. In doing so, the University became the first HE institution to receive the award two years in succession!
The hard work of the Students’ Union to increase voter engagement and turnout as part of the Spring Officer Elections was a great success this year, with the highest ever voter turnout of 37%, one of the highest in the UK.
In addition, following a number of years of transformation and development across 12 keys areas of work, the Students' Union was awarded the NUS Quality Students’ Union Award.
2019/20
Chloe Wilkinson-Silk
In 2019/20 Aberystwyth University took some huge steps towards becoming a more ethical education provider. With students as a driving force, the University adopted a new ethical investments policy, moving their investments away from fossil fuel production. With this, they also joined organisations across the globe in declaring a climate emergency, promising to achieve carbon net-zero by 2030. Further still, students secured institution-wide policy on dissertation printing, and digital submissions, reducing our use of paper, and allowing all students access to multiple submissions, and similarly reports, before their Turnitin deadlines.
Finally, 2020 also saw Aberystwyth University and the Students' Union receive national recognition of excellence, with the University being named Welsh University of the Year, and the SU receiving the NUSW Education Award for best academic campaign in Wales.
2020/21
Chloe Wilkinson-Silk
So here we are, 2020/21 and the end of our 10 Year Countdown!
This academic year started with the highly anticipated re-opening of Pantycelyn, welcoming a new cohort of Welsh-language students into this historic and newly refurbished accommodation. With this, we also welcomed all students back to campus for the first time since March of the previous academic year due to the impact of the global pandemic.
We can’t look at 2020/21 without recognising the impact of the global pandemic, and crucially the collective effort of students, staff and the wider community in responding to the challenges it has brought. The last 18 months or so has seen the SU, the University and every organisation under the sun reacting, adapting and working in new ways that we could never have imagined.
And finally, after months of training and internal development, AberSU received the Chwarae Teg Diversity Champion Award, recognising our dedication to inclusivity as an organisation.
We would like to thank all of the previous officers for their involvement in this year’s awards to celebrate 10 years of teaching awards, as well as the key role they have played in shaping the University and Students’ Union into what they are today.