"Simply the best at student support"
"The leadership and role of the Students' Union underpins the project and is a truly outstanding example to others across the UK - delivering on its core mission to enhance the learning experience of students whilst at university"
Aaron Porter, President, National Union of Students
Birmingham City Students' Union's commitment to supporting its student community has been recognised with a national honour – and its pioneering approach described as an “outstanding” model of partnership between staff and students.
The Student Academic Partners Scheme (SAP) scheme is a unique partnership involving the Students' Union and Birmingham City University. The scheme, which aims to empower learners, topped the 2010 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards in the ‘Outstanding Support for Students’ category.
In their summary, the impressed judging panel said the scheme was a “truly outstanding example to others across the sector”.
While broadcaster and former government minister Michael Portillo said “this is the University that supports students the best” as he revealed that the SAP scheme had won its category at a prestigious ceremony attended by 1,200 guests from across the sector.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Carswell and Tom Thompson, President of Birmingham City Students’ Union, headed the University delegation, which also included students who took part in the successful SAP scheme and representatives from the University’s own learning lab, the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT).
“This is fantastic recognition to our core commitment of putting students first,” said Professor Carswell. “What made our submission really stand out is the fact it’s a partnership between the University and its Students’ Union.
Professor Stuart Brand, Director of CELT and who led development of the SAP scheme with the Students’ Union, said at a time when students can too easily be viewed as “passive consumers” the judges were impressed that at Birmingham City University learners were proactively integrated into the fabric of their learning and research communities.
“The SAP initiative is an example of how we are working in close and effective partnership, actively encouraging our students to become part of the learning process,” added Professor Brand.
“I really do believe we have developed something that is unique and I hope will inspire and influence the sector.”
The SAP scheme aims to integrate students into faculty-based teams responsible for driving forward developments in the University’s teaching and learning agenda. The ground-breaking project therefore provides students and staff with the opportunity to work together to strengthen the learning experience at a grassroots level.
As well as being recognised by the annual THE magazine awards, the project has also been given national praise by the Higher Education Academy and President of the National Union of Students, Aaron Porter.
“The Student Academic Partners Scheme has real potential to engage and inspire students,” said Aaron.
From left to right: Professor Mary Carswell (Pro-Vice Chancellor), Sarah Lynch (Student Academic Partner), Daisy Whitehouse (Student Academic Partner), Professor Stuart Brand (Director of Learning and Teaching), Tom Thompson (President, Students' Union 2009 - 2011), Anthony McClaran, (Chief Executive, Quality Assurance Agency)