Recognition for Teesside’s commitment to help staff and students enhance their digital skills

Teesside University has been accredited as an Outstanding Centre of Excellence for its work to digitally upskill staff and students.

Prodigy Learning awards Centre of Excellence status to a small number of academic institutions and private training providers each year. The University was named as an Outstanding Centre of Excellence 2020-2021 in recognition of its exceptional performance in delivering internationally recognised IT certifications from industry leaders such as Adobe and Microsoft.

The Digital Enablement team (ITDS) at Teesside University provides a certifications scheme which offers Adobe and Microsoft training in partnership with Prodigy Learning to enhance digital skills and improve employability.

The training forms part of Teesside University’s award-winning Future Facing Learning initiative which seeks to digitally empower students and staff through embracing cutting-edge digital technology.

Teesside was also the first European higher education institution to become an Adobe Creative Campus in recognition of its commitment to promoting digital literacy across all courses and areas of study.

Mike Gettings, Director, ITDS, said: “We are extremely proud to achieve recognition for the University as an Outstanding Centre of Excellence.

“Teesside University is committed to digitally empowering all of our staff and students by enabling them to embrace cutting edge digital technology through a wide range of courses and online training to develop and enhance their creative and technical skills.”

Among those who have taken advantage of the offer of free online training is Teesside University graduate Keavey Gamwell, who showcased her outstanding creative talents on a global platform when she took home bronze at the prestigious Adobe World Championship held in California, USA, earlier this year.

Graphic design graduate Keavey was elected to represent her country at the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship after winning at Prodigy Learning’s National Championship for Adobe Certified Professionals.

Keavey qualified for the national championship after successfully completing free online training delivered by the Digital Enablement team and Prodigy Learning, achieving an excellent test score and gaining Adobe Certified Professional certification demonstrating her expert skills in Adobe Photoshop.

Reflecting on her achievement at the time, Keavey, who now works as a graphic designer, said: “I am so proud to represent both my country and Teesside University overseas and reaching the highest achievement for the UK feels like first place in itself. Adobe is the industry standard, so to place third feels very prestigious.”

Teesside University staff and students can learn more about gaining Microsoft and Adobe certifications here https://bit.ly/tucerts

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