SFC news published since 2018. See SFC archived content for earlier news articles.
Scottish higher education took centre stage yesterday evening at the annual Herald Higher Education Awards.
The awards ceremony, which took place online, brought together finalists from colleges and universities across Scotland. Continuing its long association with the awards, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) was the sponsor of the newly-introduced award for Supporting Student Wellbeing. SFC’s Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes, James Dunphy and Council Board member, Mhairi Harrington, were both members of the judging panel.
The winner of the prestigious Higher Education Institution of the Year award went to the University of Glasgow. The University was recognised for the part it played in combatting the pandemic through projects such as the Lighthouse Lab and its initiatives to combat job losses caused by the Covid-19 crisis.
Also amongst the winners at yesterday’s ceremony were the University of Strathclyde for its Covid-19 modelling project with NHS Lanarkshire and Edinburgh College which won the Widening Access Award for its support for care experienced students.
The Awards saw Scotland’s colleges recognised for the growing part they are playing in research and innovation. The City of Glasgow College won the Research project of the Year Award and New College Lanarkshire triumphed in the Innovative Use of Technology category.
The winner of the SFC sponsored award for Supporting Student Wellbeing was the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for its Home from Home project. The initiative was aimed at students unable to return to their own homes during the holidays and it provided them with ways of connecting with other people.
The 2021 Judges Award went to former SFC Chief Operating Officer, Martin Fairbairn, for his outstanding contribution to the higher education sector.
Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“The 2021 Herald Higher Education Awards ceremony was inspirational. It was also a richly deserved celebration of everything that colleges and universities in Scotland have achieved under difficult circumstances in the past year. My congratulations to all the finalists and winners.”
Speaking about Martin Fairbairn’s award she said:
“Martin shaped tertiary education funding and policy for decades, and the organisation SFC has become today. It is an intense pleasure to see Martin being recognised for his outstanding success”.
Full details of all the winners can be found on the Herald’s website.
