Nominations now open for the Solent Engage Awards

The award winners will be announced on Thursday 12 December 2024 and will provide an opportunity to celebrate the impact that external communities have on the university, our student community, and society.

The Solent Engage Awards will celebrate the contribution of our external communities in supporting Solent’s strategy and identify examples of best practice.

Professor James Knowles, Vice-Chancellor of Solent University comments, “Solent has a proven track record in engaging with its external communities. These awards are an opportunity to recognise the staff, students and our external communities that made our collaborations not only possible but a success in 2023/24 academic year.

“Our thriving and successful collaborations are an example of how Solent works in partnership to deliver for Southampton, creating opportunities for our external communities through knowledge exchange and volunteering, opportunities for our students with placements, live briefs and guest lectures, and opportunities for staff through knowledge exchange and research case studies."

The 9 awards that will be presented are as follows:

Apprentice of the Year - This award recognises individuals who have excelled in their work, learning and development and have made exceptional contributions to their workplace.

Apprenticeship Employer of the Year - This award recognises commitments made by business to develop their workforce through developing apprentices in collaboration with Solent University and providing ongoing training, professional development, and up-skilling of their workforce.

Business and Entrepreneurial Award - This award celebrates a recent Solent graduate who has launched their own start-up or small business, and recognises the tenacity, spirit and skill needed to create a business that has the potential to grow into a sustainable success story.

Civic Champion Award - This award recognises an outstanding individual who makes a difference to our civic communities while enabling Solent University to achieve its strategic priorities. Submissions must demonstrate how the activity contributes to at least one of our Civic commitments.

Civic Impact Award - This award recognises outstanding contributions made by external organisations who inspire and support Solent University in achieving its ambitions and successes. Submissions must demonstrate how the activity contributes to at least one of our Civic commitments.

Distinguished Mentoring Award - This award recognises exceptional contributions made by an individual to the Solent Professional Mentoring Programme in equipping young professionals with knowledge and skills needed for the modern workplace.

Employer Recruitment Award - This award recognises the continuous support and efforts of an employer who has worked in partnership with Solent University to advance the recruitment of our talented student body.

Graduate Impact Award - This award recognises a Solent graduate (or an alumni from our preceding names) who has demonstrated exceptional success or progression within their chosen field.

Solent Engage Award – Chosen by the Vice-Chancellor for outstanding support and collaboration.

We kindly ask all members of our student body, staff, and external communities to nominate anyone they feel deserving for the appropriate award. Nominations for each award are open until 11.55pm on Sunday 15 September 2024.

To make a nomination*, please complete this form.

If you have any queries on nominations or the awards in general, please email engagement@solent.ac.uk.

*Please note, you will only be able to make one nomination for one award per form submission.