Greatest day in our history

Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson described Teesside winning University of the Year and Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative as one of the greatest days in our 80 year history.

We scooped both prizes at the prestigious Times Higher Education awards and were presented with our two trophies at the glitzy gathering of higher education leaders in London’s Grosvenor House.

Speaking on his triumphant return to Teesside, Professor Henderson said: ‘It is hard to put into words, to be the top university of the year and also to have won the Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative in the same year is really, really special. It is something that most universities could never aspire to achieve – we have achieved it and it’s absolutely fantastic.

‘For me personally and for the University, this was one of the best days in our 80 year history. This puts us on the map now and we can say to an awful lot of people that we are a serious player in the Higher Education market.’

Worthy of the top accolade Times Higher editor, Ann Mroz said: 'Teesside is a fantastic example of an institution that has put itself firmly at the heart of its community, embracing with zeal its mission of working with both individuals and businesses to help them achieve their full potential. With an ambitious 16-point plan it has helped to create and sustain jobs in the midst of a recession. The university has been a beacon of hope in the region’s economic gloom. It also set a fine fiscal example by turning in a strong financial performance of its own. Teesside is a very worthy winner of this year’s top accolade.'

Professor Henderson said: 'Teesside is the first modern university to ever receive recognition as the University of the Year. It was therefore both an amazing moment and a huge personal honour for me to be able to accept this award on behalf of my University.

'I really cannot put into words how proud everyone at the University feels at having been given such a wonderful accolade. There is, as I am sure you can imagine, a tremendous buzz around the campus because of this achievement. I am sure that I speak for the whole University community – our staff, students, Governors and our many partners – when I say we all feel a sense of pride and elation that our achievements have been recognised in this way.'

He added: 'To win such a major national award in competition with such 'outstanding institutions shows how far we have come in this our 80th year. We started our journey from quite humble roots, first as Constantine College, then as Teesside Polytechnic and now as Teesside – the University of the Year.'

'We are confident that winning this Award will go a long way towards changing perceptions - not just of the University but also of the town and the Tees Valley, both nationally and internationally.

'I would like to personally thank all those who contributed to our success – namely our staff, students and governors, but also our many partners and supporters in the region and beyond.'

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