The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been recognised in two categories of the 2016 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.
The prestigious THE Awards are widely regarded as the Oscars of the higher education sector and this year the University has been shortlisted in two categories: Entrepreneurial University of the Year and Excellence and Innovation in the Arts.
The Entrepreneurial University of the Year nomination represents the third year in succession that the University has been selected in this prestigious category, reflecting the University’s growing status as one of the most innovative institutions in the higher education sector.
This year the UCLan application highlighted some major recent successes including the launch of a new Centre for SME Development, a leadership hub and school-based enterprise hubs.
In addition, 2014/15 saw the number of active patents owned by the University increase by 12 to 50, the second best year-on-year performance within the University Alliance Group.
"To be highlighted in both categories is further proof of our aim to grow a vibrant community of academic innovators."
The University also continues to excel in graduate start-up activities. UCLan is ranked third UK-wide for graduate start-ups established and is ranked first UK-wide for start-ups which are still active after three years.
The Excellence and Innovation in the Arts nomination relates to the Global Sound Movement (GSM), a unique digital arts project launched in 2015 by UCLan’s College of Culture and the Creative Industries.
The GSM team has undertaken expeditions to remote villages across the globe to capture the sounds of rare and exotic musical instruments. The recordings are then uploaded to a digital sample library and made available for sale to Western music producers, generating a sustainable income for the villagers involved.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “Once again the University has been shortlisted in two categories of this year’s awards which is a fantastic achievement. To be highlighted in both categories, Entrepreneurial University of the Year, and Excellence and Innovation in the Arts is further proof of our aim to grow a vibrant community of academic innovators and maximise our positive social, environmental and economic impact locally, nationally and globally.
The THE Awards dinner and ceremony takes place on Thursday 24 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend, including politicians, senior sector figures, and academic and professional university staff from across the UK.
The full THE Awards 2016 shortlist can be viewed online.