Groundbreaking higher education institution University Academy 92 (UA92) has scooped a national award for its outstanding work helping people into higher education.
UA92, based in Old Trafford, has won the NEON Higher Education Institution of the Year Award – beating finalists the University of Southampton and Queen Mary University London. NEON’s awards recognise achievements in widening access to higher education.
Karim West, community engagement manager at UA92 was also personally recognised for his contribution – he was highly commended for the NEON Contribution to Widening Access Award.
Sara Prowse, UA92 CEO, said: “We are committed to providing inclusive education and this award is a demonstration of the amazing work by our staff to ensure we meet this commitment.
“We believe in increasing the talent pool in business by breaking down barriers to higher education and by getting students fully prepared for the world of work.
“I would also like to single out Karim West for his outstanding achievement in making this national shortlist.
“Karim is passionate about raising aspirations in his local community and is equally as passionate about spreading the word of UA92 and making higher education accessible for all. Karim epitomises what it means to be a community voice.”
Graeme Atherton, CEO of NEON, said: “UA92 is a unique organisation with widening access at the heart of everything it does, from its engagement with local students to the very design of its building.
“The work UA92 has done and the progress that it has made in ensuring learners have access to higher education makes them a very worthy winner of this NEON Award.”
UA92’s success was due to the work they do to make Higher Education accessible to all.
This includes a fixed timetable, six entry points per year, no end-of-year exams and small class sizes. This is combined with the outreach work that they do in Greater Manchester and beyond – including industry partnerships, work with the Manchester Caribbean Carnival and the ‘Fast Forward’ course.
Fast Forward is an initiative that aims to get those without traditional qualifications into Higher Education.
Fast Forward is a free short course to help people on a journey to higher education. It aims to give attendees confidence to apply to study at degree level by understanding the challenges faced by adult learners.
Three quarters of participants have successfully progressed to further studies at UA92 since the course started in 2022.
The next Fast Forward course starts in January 2025.
