23 December 2021

Top 10 Highlights of the University of Westminster in 2021

The University of Westminster leaves an extraordinary year behind with plenty to be proud of. Our community has come together to excel and make a difference in so many areas. Here is to another successful year in 2022!

Mathieu Flamini and Prof M Gulrez Zariwala

1. University of Westminster teams up with world-class footballers to launch new range of supplements

Developed at Westminster’s recently opened Centre for Nutraceuticals, elite athletes Mathieu Flamini and Mesut Ozil partnered with the University to launch a new range of health supplements for their brand UNITY. The range of supplements were developed to allow athletes to achieve peak performance in their sport with a fast recovery time. The Centre for Nutraceuticals is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the area of nutraceuticals, supplements, and functional foods and will act as a catalyst for improving health and wellbeing guided by research and innovation. Read the full storyGo to University of Westminster teams up with world-class footballers to launch new range of supplements news page.

2. University of Westminster celebrates the first year of its Black History Year initiative

The University of Westminster celebrated its first academic year of the Black History Year (BHY) initiative, a programme of events, talks and a blog to recognise Black histories which was initially launched in October 2020. The Black History Year steering group recognised that Black history should not be relegated to a single month of recognition, and so as a result, the group worked on a continuous stream of events, stories and initiatives which reflect the richness of Westminster and beyond. Read the full articleGo to University of Westminster celebrates the first year of its Black History Year initiative news page.

3. Quintin Hogg Trust pledge £5.3million for the 2021/22 academic year to enhance teaching capabilities and student experience

The University of Westminster was generously donated £5.3million for the 2021/2022 academic year by the Quintin Hogg Trust to support teaching and enrich the overall student experience. The funding covers Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), the employability sector, and engaging students in Research and Knowledge Exchange. Read the full storyGo to Quintin Hogg Trust pledge £5.3million for the 2021/22 academic year news page.

4. University of Westminster project shortlisted for prestigious Times Higher Education Awards 2021

Black and gold logo for THE Awards 2021

Mykaell Riley’s ‘Bass Culture’ research project, carried out within the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU) at Westminster, was shortlisted in the ‘Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences’ category in the Times Higher Education Awards this year. The project explores Black British music’s historical and cultural significance over six decades, and is the first major study of the history and impact of Jamaican influenced music in the UK. Read the full articleGo to University of Westminster project shortlisted for prestigious Times Higher Education Awards news page.

5. University of Westminster and Sony Interactive Entertainment provide access to education for Black students and underrepresented groups in higher education

The University of Westminster announced that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) would be supporting Black students and underrepresented groups in higher education through SIE-funded scholarships. A total of 13 undergraduate and a further 11 postgraduate students benefitted from the initiative, which offered financial support to cover their tuition fees and living expenses. Read the full storyGo to University of Westminster and Sony Interactive Entertainment provide access to education for Black students and underrepresented groups in higher education news page.

6. Five Westminster students shortlisted as semi-finalists for Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition 2021

Headshot of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan with London skyline in background

This year, five Westminster students across BA and MA courses were shortlisted as semi-finalists of the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition, which asks London-based students to come up with viable, sustainable business ideas. The students were shortlisted in a number of different categories to attend bootcamp-style training sessions to help them with their pitching skills. Their innovative ideas impressed the programme, which has a mission to create growth that makes London cleaner, greener and prepared for the future. Read the full storyGo to Five Westminster students shortlisted as semi-finalists for Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition 2021 news page.

7. University of Westminster students win at the Royal Television Society Awards

Still image from stop-motion animation film titled It's Okay by Westminster Animation BA Honours student Aisha Boudjilloudi

On 10 March, the Royal Television Society (RTS) hosted its London Student Television Awards, where students from the University of Westminster won two awards and received six nominations for their work. These awards recognise young talent across the country for the creation of film and video content, and provide an opportunity for the students to showcase their work. Students were crowned winners of the Genre Award for Animation, and the Writing Award, with further nominations in many more categories. Read the full storyGo to University of Westminster students win at the Royal Television Society Awards news page.

8. Westminster proudly ranks in top 20 universities globally for supporting gender equality

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings this year, the University of Westminster was recognised for supporting gender equality and ranked 19th out of 1,115 universities. The University also ranks in the top 25 globally for supporting reduced inequalities, and top 50 in the world for supporting responsible consumption and production. Westminster’s shared values of being progressive, compassionate and responsible were recognised for creating fairer opportunities for all. Read the full storyGo to Westminster proudly ranks in top 20 universities globally for supporting gender equality news page.

9. Westminster Menswear Archive announces new exhibition about the evolution of face coverings during COVID-19

Undercover headline with face mask on blue background

The Westminster Menswear Archive presented a major exhibition at the University of Westminster which revealed how face coverings had evolved in response to COVID-19 over the past year. It examined how quickly the fashion industry was able to adapt a simple blue face mask into desirable fashion accessories. The exhibition explored a number of luxury and high street brands, and concerns surrounding their ability to protect the consumer from COVID-19. Read the full storyGo to Westminster Menswear Archive announces new exhibition about the evolution of face coverings during COVID-19 news page.

10. Westminster ranks second for social mobility among English universities

The University of Westminster proudly ranked second out of more than one hundred higher education institutes for social mobility in a league table produced by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and educational charity the Sutton Trust. The report looks at the number of students from low-income backgrounds at universities, and whether their studies helped them to move up the income ladder. Westminster was given a social mobility rating of 5.6%, the second highest among universities in England. Read the full storyGo to Westminster ranks second for social mobility among English universities news page.

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