The University of West London (UWL) has won Business School of the Year at the THE (Times Higher Education Awards), sometimes referred to as the “Oscars of higher education”.
UWL’s Claude Littner Business School won the accolade in recognition of work being done to reduce the ethnic minority student attainment gap, and in boosting its business partnerships to create increased opportunities for both students and the wider community.
Dr Suresh Gamlath, Dean of the Claude Littner Business School, said: “We are doing something special by harnessing the talents of our students and dynamism of the local business community to create the next generation of game-changing business trailblazers.
“This award is thanks to the innovation, hard work and entrepreneurial flair of everyone connected to our School.”
Through its ‘Fulfilment through Challenge’ programme, the Business School has reduced its ethnic minority attainment gap to a historic low of 0.8 per cent. The programme breaks down barriers to social mobility by raising student confidence and aspirations and creating a seamless transition from education to employment for students whose socio-economic backgrounds make them less likely to gain a footing on competitive career ladders.
Announcing the school as winners at a ceremony on Thursday evening, the THE judges said: “Reducing the BAME attainment gap is something most institutions try their best to do, but the success the Claude Littner Business School has had in this respect is truly admirable. The ‘Fulfilment through Challenge’ programme has clearly been effective in driving business engagement, student retention and, as a consequence, social mobility.”
