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THE QUEEN’S ANNIVERSARY PRIZES Celebrating excellence in UK education
THE ROYAL ANNIVERSARY TRUST
“The future prosperity of all depends on, among other things, the maintenance of the highest possible standards of innovation, research and teaching in the world's universities and colleges. Their importance cannot be overstated.” Richard Hardie, Vice Chair, UBS Ltd
The Trust was set up in 1990 to create a national celebration of the Queen's reign and forty years of service. Following the 40th Anniversary in 1992, the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes Scheme was founded in 1994 with the Queen’s consent to celebrate excellence in UK education. The Prizes are the only educational awards to fall within the national honours system; they enjoy all party support in Parliament and are run independently from government. The awards are unique in their recognition of the institution rather than an individual or team. The Prizes were established by the Royal Anniversary Trust, a registered charity which administers the Scheme. Trustees are closely involved in each biennial round of the Prizes. Together with a number of leading figures from all areas of national life, Trustees sit on the Awards Council, which manages the shortlisting process and ultimately selects the winning entries. The Royal Anniversary Trust is funded by donations from industry, commerce, the professions and private individuals. To build its endowment, the Trust is committed to expanding its donor base and seeking new supporters. The Royal Anniversary Trust has been generously supported by: • BAE Systems • Helen Hamlyn Trust • Department of Business, Innovation and Skills • Man Group plc Charitable Trust • Department of Children, Schools & Families • McGrath Trust • Dixon Foundation • Shell International • Drapers’ Charitable Trust • UBS • Gill Charitable Trust • The Wellcome Trust • GMT Communications Partners Trustees • Robin Gill • • • • •
Awards Council CVO,
Founder Sir Richard Evans CBE Harvey McGrath Clive Mather David Mayhew Kieran Poynter
Together with the Trustees, members of the Awards Council currently include: • Alex Allan • Rt Hon Sir John Chilcot GCB • Sir John Elvidge KBE • Simon Fraser • John Harwood CB • Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws QC • Professor Margaret MacMillan • Sir William Stubbs
CONTACT Peter Chenery, General Manager Kay Honner, Development Manager The Royal Anniversary Trust Sanctuary Buildings (6th Floor) Great Smith Street London, SW1P 3BT Registered Charity No: 1,000,000 © The Royal Anniversary Trust
T: 0870 242 7160 E: info@royalanniversarytrust.org.uk W: www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk
T H E R O YA L A N N I V E R S A R Y T RU S T
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CELEBRATING SUCCESS
HONOURING EXCELLENCE
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education celebrate world-class achievement and excellence. The Prizes scheme is open to universities and colleges of further education across the UK and captures the remarkable diversity and quality of their work.
Following the Queen’s assent, the Prize-winners are announced at a reception held at St James’s Palace. Shortly afterwards, members of each winning institution go to Buckingham Palace to be presented with the Prize Medal and Certificate by the Queen. After the ceremony, students and staff have an opportunity to discuss their work with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at an informal reception.
The Prizes are part of the national honours system. They are the most prestigious educational awards in the UK. Around twenty prizes are awarded to institutions every two years for work of outstanding excellence within higher and further education.
“The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes shine a unique and important light on the most exciting success stories in the UK’s universities and colleges today.”
On the evening before the presentation a celebratory banquet is held at Guildhall in the City of London. The event honours the achievement of the Prizewinners and brings them together with leading figures in economic, social and cultural life from the UK and elsewhere.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS
“The rigour with which the eventual winners are chosen is quite unparalleled. As a result, the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes make a powerful statement about the sheer excellence that our academic institutions regularly deliver.”
Lesley King-Lewis, Director, Man Group plc Charitable Trust
Sir Graeme Davies, Vice Chancellor, London University
Winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize brings considerable respect and acclaim. Success can also generate more tangible benefits, including: • growth in student enrolments • increased research funding and other investment • greater commercial success in partnerships, collaborative research and joint ventures. For example, in 2005 Chichester College won a prize for developing the College and its community through international student intake and integration. Since winning, their international student recruitment has increased by more than two-thirds and the number of countries from which they recruit has expanded to more than 100. The College’s overall income has grown significantly and they have achieved ‘preferred provider’ status with Vosper Thornycroft to co-ordinate and deliver English Language training to their clients.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes were last awarded in 2008. Among the winning institutions were:
EXAMINING ACHIEVEMENT
THE CITY LITERARY INSTITUTE A distinctive approach to speech therapy that supports and empowers people who stammer City Lit’s unique speech therapy centre has pioneered internationally recognised therapy methodologies. Besides running groundbreaking programmes for qualified therapists, it works closely with adults who stammer, often transforming their lives.
Each biennial round begins by inviting every university and multidisciplinary college in the UK to make a single entry based on any aspect of its work. Once submitted, each entry receives a series of rigorous independent and external assessments, from national and international experts across education, business and public life. Comment and feedback is also sought from departments of state, funding councils, professional organisations, learned societies and other experts. Each entry must satisfy five criteria:
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON Effective and affordable control of parasitic diseases in rural Africa Backed by drug companies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Imperial is developing low-cost treatment for parasitic diseases, which have killed millions in sub-Saharan Africa. Initially the project will enable upwards of 20 million people to be treated in six countries before being rolled out more widely.
• Achievement of excellence: what exactly makes the submitted work excellent? • Value and benefit to the institution: how has the work specifically benefited the institution? • Value and benefit to the wider community: what impact has the work had at a local, regional, national or international level? • New developments and different approaches: how is the work innovative and original? • Validation: what compelling evidence exists to confirm the institution’s opinion of its work?
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY Reducing road traffic deaths: vehicle, road and driver safety research Loughborough’s research into vehicle safety and driver sleepiness has made an outstanding contribution to international policies aimed at reducing road traffic deaths. The work has led directly to improved car safety measures and better road and motorway design.
The Awards Council selects the Prizewinners from a shortlist and presents its choice to the Prime Minister for advice to the Queen.
“The UK needs world class research, development and innovation if it is to continue competing at the global level. The Queen's Anniversary Prizes Scheme is key in rewarding and recognising the very best programmes in the UK's universities and colleges and BAE Systems is proud to support this work.” Dick Olver, Chairman, BAE Systems
“By winning the Queen's Anniversary Prize again, we can keep Loughborough University at the forefront of people's minds: this marvellous Prize sends a clear message that the work we do here is world-class.” Professor Shirley Pearce, Vice Chancellor, Loughborough University
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Fresh light on British history: the new Dictionary of National Biography Published by the University in print and online, the new DNB features more than 56,000 noteworthy figures. It is a monumental piece of research that will help rebalance the history of the UK through its specific focus on the contribution of women and individuals from minority communities.