As we close another year with many successes and achievements to be proud of, we are looking back on the highlights of the year, in no particular order.
1. Welcoming award-winning social entrepreneur and broadcaster Natalie Campbell MBE as Westminster’s new Chancellor
Natalie Campbell MBE, a social entrepreneur and CEO, has been appointed as the next Chancellor of the University of Westminster. Natalie is Co-CEO of Belu Water, and before that, she led on insight and innovation for The Royal Foundation and co-founded A Very Good Company (AVGC), a global social innovation agency.
She is a strategic advisor to several fast-growth businesses in finance, hospitality and consumer technology and holds a number of public appointments and non-executive positions related to leadership and inclusive economic growth.
2. Being recognised as one of the global frontrunners against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
In 2022, the University of Westminster was recognised in the top 15% of over 1400 universities in the world for its work on contributing to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Times Higher Education (THE)’s Impact Rankings 2022. This is the third year in a row that the University has maintained its high overall ranking with notable achievements across several individual SDGs, such as gender equality, reduced inequalities, and responsible consumption and production.
3. 29 Marylebone Road granted £5.8m for towards training spaces
The University of Westminster secured a £5.8m grant from the Higher Education regulator Office for Students (OfS) to build innovative training spaces at 29 Marylebone Road. The nine-storey building, located just across the road from the University’s Marylebone Campus, is set to become the UK’s most inclusive Centre for Employability and Enterprise. It is due to open in 2024 and will bridge the gap between education and the business world.
4. Signing institutional agreement with the United Nations Migration Agency
The University of Westminster has entered a new collaboration with the United Nations Migration Agency, known as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which includes a programme allowing Westminster students to apply for unique internship opportunities at IOM across the globe. As part of this new initiative, six Westminster students have already completed their internships with IOM, gaining life-changing experiences and employability skills.
5. Westminster student makes British film history through Intersex representation
Hareem Qureshi, a second-year Animation student at the University of Westminster, is the First Assistant Director for Only Love Matters, the first British film to feature intersex characters in leading roles. The film is a romantic family drama, set in London, and it offers its audience an idea of what it means to be intersex. For Intersex Awareness Day on 26 October, Hareem shared how she got involved with the project and the importance of marking the day, which highlights the human rights issues faced by intersex people.
6. Westminster alumna becomes the first Asian and first Muslim President of the Law Society of England and Wales
Lubna Shuja, an alumna of the Law LLB course of the University of Westminster, has become the first Asian, the first Muslim and the seventh woman to be President of the Law Society of England and Wales in its nearly 200-year history.
Lubna is a solicitor, who dual qualified as a Civil and Family Mediator. She specialises in disciplinary and professional regulation and is a Chair for a number of regulators. Lubna joined the Law Society as a Council Member for Sole Practitioners and was the Chair of the Law Society's Membership and Communications Committee. She is also a member of the Law Society's Board and a member of the Birmingham Law Society Council.
7. Being shortlisted for Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Support for Students
The University of Westminster was shortlisted for the prestigious 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards in the Outstanding Support for Students category for the University’s Future Ready Mentoring programme.
Future Ready Mentoring is an inclusive programme with a range of opportunities to support mentors and mentees from every background, industry and career level, connecting students with employers for graduate career success. There are three branches of Future Ready Mentoring, including long-term Career Mentoring, course-embedded Group Mentoring, and the short-term Ask a Mentor service.
8. Launching Anti-Racism Network for London Higher Education
On 9 June 2022, the University of Westminster launched the Anti-Racism Network for London universities, an initiative involving 12 universities based in the capital. The Anti-Racism Network encourages information sharing among race networks within London universities in order to learn from successes and challenges, share information and identify opportunities for collaboration to have a greater impact. The initiative was developed by Dr Deborah Husbands and Professor Dibyesh Anand, Co-chairs of the University of Westminster’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Colleague Network.
9. Marketing Management alumna recognised as one of Asia’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership
Julienne Loh, an alumna of the Marketing Management MA course at the University of Westminster and Executive Vice President of Mastercard Transaction Services (MTS), has been recognised as one of Asia’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership on the Break the Ceiling Touch the Sky 2022 list by House of Rose Professional.
As the Executive Vice President of the MTS, Julienne is part of the global leadership team, responsible for the strategy to develop a new business model for scale and compliance under the money transfer license. She also serves as an advisor and coach to various start-ups in Asia-Pacific and is the current Vice-Chairperson of Junior Achievement Singapore, the world’s largest non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting financial literacy for young people.
10. Unique Compton organ restored and revealed at the University of Westminster’s Fyvie Festival
A rare 1934 Compton organ housed in Westminster’s Fyvie Hall has been restored to its former glory in a project worth £50,000, launching a new era of musical performance at the University with access for all. The unique pipe organ was introduced to the public in a series of concerts during the Fyvie Festival running in Fyvie Hall on Regent Campus. Members of the public had a chance to get up close with and play on the historic musical instrument. A video to commemorate the history and restoration of the Fyvie Hall Organ was also created and can be watched on YouTube.
+1 A sad moment to note: The passing of the University of Westminster’s Patron, Her Majesty The Queen (1926 – 2022)
The passing of Her Majesty The Queen was a significant moment in the life and history of the University. We have been remembering her impact and encounters with Westminster and its communities throughout her reign. During the poignant period of national mourning, a book of condolence was in place on Regent Campus, alongside a display commemorating Her Majesty The Queen’s connection to the University.
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