The University of Leeds has been crowned ‘University of the Year’ at the annual Education North Awards, as one of the North’s leading cancer scientists brought the audience to its feet with a powerful moment on the night.
More than 700 guests from across education, media and business gathered at Emirates Old Trafford for the 12th edition of the awards, which celebrate excellence across higher and further education in the North.
The standout moment came as Professor Caroline Dive was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, receiving a standing ovation for her pioneering work in cancer research at the University of Manchester and The Christie Hospital in Didsbury.
Originally planning to spend just three years in the North, Prof Dive has now dedicated more than three decades to the region, helping to develop new testing methods for lung cancer patients, including mobile screening units known as ‘Scans in the Van’.
Professor Mark Power, Vice Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, described her work as “putting the North at the forefront of international research which has saved more lives than we can ever imagine”.
An emotional Prof Dive said:
“I am so privileged and lucky to be here in the north. They understand the nature of teamwork as individual egos are less here and the team are more. Working here and with the Christie Hospital underlines the world leadership the north enjoys in the fight against cancer.”
Meanwhile, Leeds picked up the prestigious ‘University of the Year’ trophy, with judges praising the university for “championing opportunity, driving innovation, and shaping the North’s brightest futures”.
The awards, which were hosted by award-winning TV presenter Lucy Meacock, attracted a record 901 entries this year, alongside three special radio awards nominated by listeners to Heart Yorkshire, Smooth North East and Smooth North West. The radio awards saw victories for: Teesside University; Anthony Gascoigne, Hospitality Programme Leader for East Riding College; and for Head Teacher of Mowbray Primary School, Andrew Miller.
Other winners on the night included Liverpool John Moores University, University of Sunderland and University of Lancashire, as well as colleges and individual educators from across the region.
The event, created by Prolific North Chairman Rob McLoughlin OBE and produced by Rowan Scahill, also saw 2 university students pitch new business ideas live, with the audience voting for a winner who will receive a cash prize and a place on an Executive Mini MBA Accelerator programme.
Emerita Professor Ruth Ashford, Deputy Head Judge, said: “It is a superb event which is tortuous for our 35 judges drawn from across the UK and from a number of sectors.
“The standard rises every year which is exactly what we want but it makes decision making so difficult.
“We can not believe the level of quality from across the Higher and Further education sectors and it is wonderful to see committed professionals from the east to west coast in one room celebrating such brilliant achievements”.
Organisers also used the night to unveil plans to expand the awards with new concepts later this year. Patrons include leading education institutions plus CCUK home of Smooth and Heart radio brands plus John Kennedy CBE, Mindful Education, the charity Easherlife as well as IT Capital and In Professional Development.
THE FULL RESULTS
Lifetime Achievement Award – Professor Caroline Dive
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award – University of Lancashire School of Veterinary Medicine – How to Thrive in Veterinary Education
Apprenticeship Award – HE/FE Sector – Wigan & Leigh College
Apprenticeship Award – University Sector – University of Salford – Apprenticeships
Business Engagement Award – HE/FE Sector – Trafford and Stockport College Group – Manchester Airport Skills Hub
Business Engagement Award – University Sector – University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research — Driving the Future of our Railways
Campaign of the Year – Northumbria University – Unlock Your Potential Campaign
College or FE Student Achievement of the Year – Mia Goodall – St Helens College
University Student Achievement of the Year – Lamin Gibba – Newcastle College University Centre
PHD Student Achievement of the Year – Rand Abdulhussain – University of Huddersfield
Student Experience Award – HE/FE Sector – Askham Bryan College – Aspire Mentoring Programme
Student Experience Award – University Sector – University of Chester – Chester Credentials Nano-credentials
Charity/Third Sector Award – Northumbria Students’ Union – An Outstanding Year
Community Engagement Award – HE/FE Sector – Newcastle College (& EPNE, Children North East, King’s Trust, Winnovation, The Key, NUF, Groundworks) – Open Doors: Beyond Barriers
Community Engagement Award – University Sector – Newcastle University & RISE – Community Physical Activity Clinical Champions
Digital and AI Innovation Award – HE/FE Sector – Bishop Burton College – Inclusive, Immersive and AI Driven Learning Transformation
Digital and AI Innovation Award – University Sector – University of Cumbria – ‘The Clarence Project’ Rehumanising Nursing Education
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award – Leeds Beckett University Business School – #WECAN Programme
Game-Changing Education Award – University of Lancashire – Transforming Medical Education with Playful Learning
Heart Creative Arts Award – Wakefield College – Reclaim the Night: Demanding Justice through Art
Liverpool Hope Prize; Outstanding Achievement for Social Mobility – Cheshire College – South & West – Crewe 42
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Initiative Award – The University of Manchester (Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub) – Great Science Share for Schools
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Initiative Award – University of York – GenerationResearch
Innovation Award – University of Leeds – NewsdayVR
Sustainable Green Initiative – HE/FE Sector – Bishop Burton College – Decarbonising our Campus
Sustainable Green Initiative – University Sector – The University of Manchester and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust KTP – PeatFix: To Support and Improve Peatland Restoration and Revegetation
Leadership and Innovation Award – Professor Hannah Holmes – Manchester Metropolitan University
Law School of the Year – Liverpool John Moores University – School of Law and Justice Studies
Business School of the Year – University of Lancashire Business School
Medical School of the Year – University of Sunderland School of Medicine
Further Education College of the Year – Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College
University of the Year – University of Leeds
Radio Awards (sponsored by Smooth Radio North West & North East and Heart Yorkshire)
Outstanding School, College or University – Teesside University
Outstanding Teacher – Anthony Gascoigne, East Riding College, TEC Partnership
Outstanding Head Teacher – Andrew Miller, Mowbray Primary School
University Entrepreneurs Grant
Ellie Brown, Recondition
