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The Vice Chancellor's Awards recognise and reward outstanding contributions made to our community.

this award is currently open

2012 VC Awards Logo.

The Vice Chancellor's Awards seek to publicly recognise and reward outstanding contributions made to our community.   The Awards are intended to apply to all who work here and we positively encourage nominations from individuals and teams whose work might not be as visible as others', but whose contribution is none the less essential to our success.  Every academic year, up to 8 awards will be made, each with a monetary value of £2000. The Awards may be taken in cash or used, subject to agreement, to purchase equipment; make charitable donations, etc. Successful nominees will also receive a framed certificate to celebrate their achievement.

Awards are made for an individual's or team's outstanding contribution to our community. To be seen as an outstanding contribution, nominated activities represent:

  • activities which are demonstrably over and above that expected of a person/people in their particular role(s) (ie which are ‘outstanding') and
  • activities which address aspects of the objectives within our Corporate Plan and/or our Values (ie which are making a clear ‘contribution').

Therefore, successful nominations represent activities which have a positive impact on:

  1. Our reputation, locally, nationally and internationally;
  2. The employment prospects of our students;
  3. The innovation and quality of our services to each other, and our students;
  4. The innovation and quality of our learning environments;
  5. The quality of our teaching and research;
  6. Our student recommendations to their friends;
  7. The number of off-site students we educate;
  8. Our relationships with businesses, the community and employers;
  9. Our concern for the environment;
  10. Our contribution to the enhancement of social, cultural and economic well-being.

As Claire Markwell, Sports Administrator in Student Services, commented on winning her award in 2010:

‘When I received the letter to say that I would be receiving an award from the Vice Chancellor in acknowledgement of my exceptional contribution, I was quite shocked, then once it had sunk in, I was pleased and realised how great it was that in such a big organisation you can be recognised and appreciated no matter how small or insignificant you may think you are. A "thank you" always goes a long way, and this recognition does, so thank you.‘

Eligibility Criteria

All of us, in all roles, have a part to play in our success.  The Awards will be interpreted in the broadest of senses to include colleagues from all support services as well as academic staff subject to the following criteria:

  1. Nominated individuals must meet one of the eligibility criteria below:
    1. Those employed by Anglia Ruskin must have been employed for the full year preceding the date of the call for nominations. For this cycle of Awards, nominees must have been employed by us for the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 inclusive.
    2. Those working within our community, but not employed by Anglia Ruskin, must demonstrate a sustained working relationship with us for the year prior to the date of the call for nominations (for this call, between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011 inclusive) and must demonstrate that this working relationship is ongoing and will continue for the foreseeable future.
  2. An Award can be made to individuals, or to teams. Each individual in a team nomination must meet one of the eligibility criteria described above. Where an Award is made to a Team, one framed certificate will be provided for each campus represented by the nominated team members.

For full information on Award eligibility criteria, download our Awards Guidance (.pdf).

Applying for an Award

A full application for a Vice Chancellor's Award consists of a nomination and a supporting statement.

Nominations may be made either by:

  1. self nomination
  2. nomination by a colleague or relevant group such as the Students' Union, community group or local business (in this case, please ensure that the individual, or appropriate team leader, has agreed to be nominated).

The nomination must consist of a statement of no more than 500 words - one side of single-spaced A4 - describing the outstanding contribution. In addition, a supporting statement of 500 words from a relevant person (eg Dean of Faculty, Director of Service, line manager) or group (eg customer, community group) must accompany the nomination.

The primary purpose of the supporting statement is to provide evidence of how the nominated activity can be said to be ‘over and above' that expected of the individual(s) in their particular role(s) and to confirm the eligibility of the activity, and those nominated, to receive an Award.

Deans of Faculty or Directors of Service are required to sign to confirm their approval of the nomination, and that the activity and individuals meet the eligibility criteria.

Forms for nominations and statements of support

See the VC Awards Guidance for full information on making a nomination and constructing a statement of support.

Selection Process

The initial selection will be made by a broad-based Selection Panel to represent the potentially wide range of nominations. Successful nominees will be announced in April, and the Awards will be made at the Vice Chancellor's Conference in May.

Submitting an Application

A full application (nomination and supporting statement) may be made in either of the following ways:

  • e-mail: Ania Norman with your nomination and accompanying supporting statement OR
  • send hard copies of your nomination and accompanying supporting statement to Ania Norman, Anglia Learning and Teaching, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT.

Closing Date

Nominations must be received by 5.00 pm on Friday 23rd March 2012.

Further information

Download our Awards Guidance (.pdf) for full information on making a nomination and constructing a supporting statement, and details of eligibility and award criteria. For inspiration please see the past winners' pages where you will find information on the activities of individuals and teams who have won a Vice Chancellor's Award since the inception of the scheme in 2008.

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