July

Queen’s University Belfast Student’ Union shortlisted for NUS Award

Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union has been shortlisted in the categories of ‘Higher Education Students’ Union of the Year’ and ‘Community Relations Award’ in the 2013 National Union of Students (NUS) Awards.  In addition, Queen’s University Medical Student, Aidan Bannon, has been shortlisted in the ‘Endsleigh Insurance Student of the Year’ category.

Currently in their sixth year, the NUS Awards are designed to celebrate the positive impact that is made by students’ unions across the UK and, in addition, to recognise those inspirational students who make a positive contribution towards society.

Jason O’Neill, President of Queen’s Students’ Union said: “We are thrilled by this news.  Our goal is to become one of the premier students’ unions in the UK and Ireland, and to help students to make the most of their time at Queen’s – everyone in the Union has worked tirelessly to achieve this and it is very rewarding to receive national recognition for our efforts.  Some of our most significant achievements this year include being selected as the sixth best Students’ Union in the UK in terms of student satisfaction (as measured in the National Student Survey), attaining our highest ever turnout in our representative Council elections and establishing a Volunteer Academy to provide students with tailored opportunities to improve their employability.  We have also made a positive impact upon the local, national and international community and have established a network of homework clubs in areas of socio-economic deprivation, where students assist young people with their studies and help to raise their ambition to attend university.  Over the last year, our student groups have also raised over £319,000 for various charities.”

The winners of the the NUS Awards will be announced in Manchester at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 3 July 2013.