Aston University is in the running for two national education awards at this year’s prestigious Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards.

Aston’s Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) has been shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding University Fundraising Team’ Awards at the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards. The Team was shortlisted for its Woodcock Sports Centre refurbishment fundraising campaign, which raised over £2m to upgrade the University’s sports facilities for students, staff and the wider community.  

Aston’s Estates & Capital Development Team has also been shortlisted for a Leadership and Management Award. The Team is up to win the ‘Outstanding Estates Team’ category for its work over to achieve an improved, low-carbon campus. Aston has committed to achieving BREEAM Excellent rating on its new builds and to updating its existing 1960s and 70s buildings. The overall condition of the Aston campus (as measured by the EMS*) has improved significantly, with the percentage of academic space at A and B grades increasing from 57% in 2008 to 74% in 2011. An on-site Combined Heat and Power facility has been opened and now provides over 60% of the University’s electricity and 80% of heat. These projects, together with a number of behaviour change campaigns, have seen overall energy consumption fall by 20% and carbon emissions by around 35%.

Now in their fourth year, the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards are a celebration of the best of the sector’s leadership, management, financial and business skills and showcase the extraordinary innovation, teamwork and commercial acumen of UK higher education institutions. The awards are open to all UK higher education institutions. Only six entrants are selected in each finalist category.

Professor Helen Higson, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Aston University believes these nominations are testimony to the hard work and dedication of Aston University staff. “The exceptional individuals who work within Estates & Capital Development and the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Aston University are passionately committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for our students” she said.

“Our facilities and accommodation are of the highest standard in what is a safe and secure city centre campus and we are continuously working to reduce the impact we have on the environment by lowering our carbon footprint. Through the vital fundraising work carried out by our Development and Alumni Relations Office, Aston is securing the education for hundreds of future Aston University students through a robust scholarship and bursary initiative. Being shortlisted for these awards has confirmed the University’s commitment to providing a truly outstanding experience in every aspect of a student’s time at Aston University.”

The winners of the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2012 will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 21 June.

*Energy Management System