24 | Financial Statements 2020-21 | Buckinghamshire New University
TE ACHING IMPACT We are proud to train the nurses; operating department practitioners; midwives, paramedics, social workers and police officers of the future, many of whom choose to stay on and work in the local area after graduation. All our graduates make a difference in the real world through their significant contribution to sectors and industries including design; music and film; sport; business and law; and aviation. We provide a high-quality learning experience for all our students, and we have outlined in the Strategic Report the league table successes the University has achieved in 2020-21. The University’s improved rankings are testament to our proud history of offering employment focused and skills-based learning. Applying knowledge in authentic work-related scenarios is a hallmark of every course at BNU. From day one, we encourage our students to focus on their future careers and to take advantage of the many opportunities to bolster their job prospects while they study. In partnership with Bucks Students’ Union, we do everything we can to ensure our students are well prepared to stand out in the highly competitive employment market when they graduate. It is why BNU graduates go on to be successful in their chosen careers, and we take great pride in all that they achieve. We are also proud that our library has been re-accredited with the Book Industry Communication Technology Excellence in Libraries (TEiLA) award which honours libraries for their adoption of best practice and industry standards and their investment in beneficial technologies. This award demonstrates that our staff and students benefit from BNU’s optimum use of technologies in book and e-book acquisition and in our self-issue machines which use RFID technology for efficient book circulation. It is just one way in which BNU strives to provide our staff and students with access to learning resources and services in the most efficient way.
Developing courses to ensure graduates succeed in the real world • BNU’s Human Performance Lab was praised for helping volunteers achieve a ‘remarkable health turnaround’ in the ‘21 Day Body Turnaround’ Channel 4 programme with BNU honorary Dr Michael Mosley which aired in June 2021. Initial lab testing at BNU of the volunteers revealed they were all likely to be at risk from debilitating conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic inflammation and stress. Further tests by BNU staff showed that most had the aerobic fitness age of someone at least 20 years older. After following Dr Mosley’s exercise and diet regime for 21 days, the tests were repeated at BNU with the results demonstrating the health improvements for each participant. Dr Mosely said: ‘Key to their success were the tests we did at Buckinghamshire New University, where I was delighted to receive an honorary doctorate a few years ago. My volunteers found doing the tests very motivating and were impressed by the expertise of the staff.’ Our Human Performance Lab specialises in human physiology, biomechanics and psychology. It plays an important role in assisting and facilitating student learning on a range of sports science academic courses, while also being available to athletes and teams who wish to improve their training and performance with advice from the university’s experienced consultants. BNU alumni who have used the lab for their studies have gone on to successful careers in sports analysis and coaching at Premier League football clubs and in other sports, while the lab’s sports science consultants provide support to athletes across a range of sports and disciplines.
• BNU was selected as one of five UK institutions to take part in the UK Fashion and Textile Association’s (UKFT) ‘MADE IT’ 2020-21 programme. The project aims to bring together design graduates and manufacturers, enriching studies with specialist industry knowledge and providing a foundation for those hoping to start a career in manufacturing. The programme is made up of three elements: a Production and Sourcing Masterclass, highlighting the breadth of job opportunities across the supply chain; a production internship, immersing students within a manufacturing environment; and the development of quality internship material for both students and employers, with the aim of raising the quality and expectations of internships across the industry. BNU is proud to enter into this new partnership as part of an ongoing commitment to providing practical experiences that aid our students’ future employability. We are passionate about developing graduates with industry-ready skills who are equipped to consider their position in the wider ethical and economic attributes of the fashion and textiles sector. • BNU’s online MA Interior Design for Health and Wellbeing course became the first Master’s qualification to receive accreditation from the Society of British and International Design (SBID). SIBD represents the interior design industry on a global stage and promotes the highest standards in education, development and sustainability in design and construction. We are proud to play our part in changing the design industry for the better by actively promoting health and wellbeing. The programme involves industry professionals contributing to students' learning and research to enrich the student experience, along with contributions from experts across the healthcare design sector.
