Physio to the stars backs our ‘outstanding achievement’

Honorary graduate Alan Smith, the former physiotherapist for the England football team, described Teesside being shortlisted for University of the Year as an ‘outstanding achievement’.

He said the accolade is well-deserved and shows just how great the University is.

Teesside is shortlisted for Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative and University of the Year in the Times Higher Education awards.

We are the only University in the North East region in the running for the prestigious overall University of the Year award.

A spokesman for the Times Higher Education awards says the shortlist represents ‘excellence in an inspirational sector.’

Alan, who was England Physiotherapist for two World Cups and two European Championships, worked under Sir Bobby Robson, Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson. He has helped rehabilitate many key footballers, including David Beckham before the 2002 World Cup and Alan Shearer before Euro 96.

It shows how great the University has become Speaking about the University’s double accolade, Alan said: ‘It is an outstanding achievement and it just shows how good and how great the University has become.

‘I think the message it sends out to students and prospective students is that the University is progressing, it is one of the top universities in the country, it has marvellous facilities and quality staff.’

The University’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Graham Henderson, said: ‘Being shortlisted for University of the Year is an outstanding achievement for the University and a wonderful endorsement of the progress that we have made in recent years.

‘One of the greatest strengths of our Institution, which features highly in our case for both these awards, is the energy, enthusiasm, friendliness and commitment of our staff and the way in which colleagues work together in a flexible and responsive manner to meet the needs of our students and external partners.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the contribution of all of our staff which has placed us in the position where we can be recognised as a serious candidate for University of the Year.’

Our nomination for outstanding employer engagement initiative is based on Teesside Business School’s work on leadership development in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Henderson added: ‘When taken alongside the University’s recent listing in the top 20 institutions in the Times Higher’s recent league table, compiled in response to the results of the recent National Student Survey, these shortlistings provide an excellent platform from which to continue to raise the profile of our University and its achievements.’

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