Congratulations to our teams in prestigious awards

Richmond American University London is celebrating the success of its International Programme team, which was announced last night as the winner of the Advancing International Education Award in the Independent Higher Education Awards 2022. It’s a double celebration as the University’s Student Affairs team was also shortlisted for the Excellence in Supporting Student Success in the same Awards.

The Advancing International Education nomination was the result of the various efforts by the International team, working with other faculty and staff, in assisting Ukrainian students continue with their studies after the invasion by Putin’s Russia. The range of free initiatives included room and board for refugee students over summer, organising online classes for students still in Russia (with our university partner Ukrainian American Concordia University), setting up full year tuition scholarships for students to come to London and working with our housing partner iQ in providing free accommodation.

Dr Dominic Alessio, Vice President International Programmes, who co-ordinated this university-wide effort alongside Faculty Support team member, Jelena Pivovarova, said “I’m thrilled at winning this award, which recognises the commitment not just of our team in helping Ukrainian students continue their studies but also the assistance and goodwill provided across the entire University in making a real difference for these students.”

Dr Alex Harden-Way, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, co-ordinated the submission for the Excellence in Supporting Student Success Award, which outlined the extensive range of services on offer at Richmond to support and empower students through all kinds of challenges – personal, social and emotional and how the team helps students make the most of their time at university. In particular, the team highlighted Richmond’s recent work to enhance the inclusivity of student support through a programme of activity across a number of departments at the University.

Independent Higher Education is the UK membership organisation and national representative body for independent providers of higher education, professional training and pathways, and is the second largest and fastest growing HE representative body in the country.