University to host business awards ceremony

The Business Achievement Awards, to be held at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, will showcase the University’s successful collaborations with business, its involvement in innovative projects and its outstanding alumni, highlighting its commitment to enterprise and student employability.

Nominations for each category are now open and businesses are invited to enter before the 12pm deadline on Friday 3 May 2013.

Professor Ian Oakes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We are extremely proud of our achievements in influencing regional innovation and competitiveness through our vibrant and productive business partnerships and these awards are our way of commemorating that. I’m delighted that the Business Achievement Awards will give recognition to the businesses that we have helped to develop and grow through our successful collaborations, the role of our students and the Alumni we have created.”

The award categories include:

The ‘Business Collaboration of the Year’ award will celebrate the success of a recent collaborative project. This award is open to public, private and third sector organisations that have worked with the University whether through consultancy, student/graduate placements, knowledge transfer opportunities, research or by accessing specialised expertise, resources and equipment.

The ‘Business Innovation of the Year’ award will recognise the enterprise which has most successfully employed innovation to enhance its performance and/or competitiveness in the West Midlands region. It is open to public, private and third sector organisations that can demonstrate how innovation has developed and been applied, resulting in growth, improved commercial performance or operational efficiency.

The ‘Graduate Employee of the Year’ award will recognise a graduate from the University of Wolverhampton who has made a significant impact within a business or organisation, demonstrating excellence on a specific project or programme.

The graduate employee will have applied their higher level graduate skills, ability and knowledge with drive and determination, shown a willingness to interact with and learn from colleagues, and provided excellent customer service (if applicable).

The awards ceremony will also recognise the University alumni who have excelled in their chosen field through three different awards:

The ‘Emerging Alumnus of the Year’ award will recognise a graduate from the last 5 years who has made a significant impact in their industry or profession.

The ‘Alumnus of the Year: Enterprise and Leadership’ award will celebrate a graduate who has made an important contribution to the local, national or international community through an enterprising business venture, or has improved the way business is done through innovative leadership.

The ‘Alumnus of the Year: Contribution to Society’ award will mark a graduate from any year who has enriched or transformed the lives of others, or has overcome significant personal adversity. This can be either within their professional career or personal life.

A further award will also be presented at the dinner following an entrepreneurial challenge hosted by the University of Wolverhampton this year. The winning team from the recent ‘The Pitch’ business challenge, Blue Coat C of E Academy from Walsall, will be lauded. ‘The Pitch’ saw regional schools and businesses come together in an exciting and educational event at the University’s Telford Innovation Campus.

More information on the awards dinner.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736

Date Issued: Wednesday, 24 April 2013