International students delighted to be at University of the Year

Our University of the Year award was the topic on everybody’s lips at the annual international students’ reception.

More than 500 students from all over the world gathered at the Students’ Union to be officially welcomed to Teesside.

But there only seemed to be one thing on their mind – our remarkable University of the Year award.

We clinched the top prize at the Times Higher Education awards, where we also scooped Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative of the Year.

Students spoke of their pride at being at Teesside and many said they had phoned home to brag to their friends about studying at the number one university in the country.

A huge honour Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham 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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