Year-in-Review: A Look at #UniOfGlos’ 2022 Highlights

This past year has been filled with exciting developments and achievements at University of Gloucestershire, and we are proud to share some of the standout moments with you. 

From innovative research and educational initiatives to impressive sporting feats and community outreach, our University has had no shortage of newsworthy events. Whether you are a current student, a prospective student, or just interested in keeping up with the latest happenings at #UniOfGlos, we hope this article will give you a taste of just some of what our institution has been up to this year! 

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1. University leads groundbreaking project to tackle Higher Education curriculum greenwash 

The project is creating a blueprint for quality sustainability learning with the aim of ensuring that students on all degree programmes are given the knowledge, skills, and experience to be a driving force for sustainability practice and meet the grand challenge of sustainability – at the university and in their careers beyond. 

2. University graduates win Royal Television Society awards 

University of Gloucestershire Film and Television Production graduates were among the winners at the Royal Television Society (RTS) West of England Students Awards 2022. The annual awards by the RTS – an educational charity promoting the art and science of television – celebrate the wealth of talent, creativity and innovation of students in the region. 

3. University celebrates “Good” report on apprenticeships from Ofsted 

Apprenticeships at the University of Gloucestershire received a “Good” rating on all aspects in their first inspection by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting the strength of relationships with employers and the positive impact on learners’ careers. 

4. University professor awarded an OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List 

Professor Janet Dwyer from the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) based at the University of Gloucestershire was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022. Janet, a Professor of Rural Policy and a former Director of the CCRI, received the award – announced during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – for her services to rural research over more than three decades. 

5. Plans for new Arts, Health and Wellbeing Centre at University’s City Campus revealed 

It was unveiled that a new Arts, Health and Wellbeing Centre that will pilot groundbreaking therapies and interventions to improve community health and wellbeing is being planned for University of Gloucestershire’s new City Campus. 

This announcement was shortly followed by the news that City Campus will also be home to the new Gloucester Library. This will greatly improve the library space and increase access to services in partnership with the University, using a model that has been successful in other counties, you can read more about this story here. 

6. University student Cassia wins Penguin Cover Design Award 

#UniOfGlos student Cassia Samson was awarded first place at the highly prestigious Penguin Cover Design Awards showcasing the creativity and imagination of the next generation of designers. 

Cassia, studying for a degree in Graphic Design within the University’s School of Arts, won the major publishing house’s Children’s Book Cover category after impressing the judging panel with her design (pictured below) for Murder Most Unladylike. 

7. University celebrates ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted for teacher training 

The University’s programs for producing the next generation of teachers were rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting their ‘unique’ emphasis on sustainability and the University’s strong partnership with schools. 

8. University extends partnership with FA to run Women’s High-Performance Football Centre 

The university renewed its partnership with the Football Association to operate a national Women’s High-Performance Football Centre (WHPFC) aimed at inspiring the next generation of coaches, following England’s success at Euro 2022. 

9. Lord Bichard inaugurated as the new Chancellor of the University 

Lord Michael Bichard pledged to play an active role in supporting University of Gloucestershire’s ambitions, with the focus firmly on students, at his official inauguration ceremony as new Chancellor. 

Lord Bichard, who has been associated with the University for many years, succeeded Baroness Rennie Fritchie, who stood down as Chancellor at the end of last year after serving the University with distinction for more than a decade. 

10. University officially opens the doors of its cyber centre of excellence in Germany 

University of Gloucestershire officially opened the doors of its groundbreaking Institute of Cybersecurity and Digital Innovation (ICDI) in Germany, designed to tackle the cyber skills gap and drive new technologies. The state-of-the-art centre of excellence, based in Düren, Western Germany, has been developed in collaboration with longstanding partner Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM, University of Applied Sciences of SMEs). 

11. Graduation ceremonies celebrate the success of students with family and friends 

The achievements of thousands of graduates were celebrated at University of Gloucestershire’s 2022 Graduation Ceremonies. 

The ceremonies provided 2,037 graduates with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements during their time at the University with family, friends, and the academic and professional teams who had supported them. 

12. University receives £5.8 million from Office for Students in big boost to cyber and digital 

University of Gloucestershire’s computing and digital technologies programmes received a multi-million-pound boost that will support a strong supply of skilled graduates, following a successful Office for Students (OfS) capital funding bid. 

The £5.8 million award, announced by the OfS, will enable the University to make a major investment in the further expansion of its successful computing, engineering and digital technologies portfolio, and help to tackle the UK’s skills gaps.