Brunel University London’s Global Challenges degree receives Green Gown Award
Brunel’s award-winning Global Challenges degree has been highly commended with a second Green Gown Award for its focus on sustainability. This time, they’ve gone international.
Last November, Brunel University London’s pioneering BASc degree in Global Challenges won the UK and Ireland Next Generation Learning and Skills Green Gown Award, which meant that their application was put forward in the same category for the 2023 International Green Gown Awards.
Following the win, the degree has now been honoured with a prestigious International Green Gown Award, recognising its continued success, commitment, and focus on sustainability.
Established in 2004, the awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges around the world.
With sustainability moving up the agenda for universities and for society as a whole, the awards have become renowned as the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the further and higher education sectors.
Brunel was one of 14 universities that were finalists in the Next Generation Learning and Skills category, along with institutions from countries such as China, Australia, and Kenya.
The virtual awards ceremony was held on 17 July as part of the United Nations Political Forum on Sustainable Development, and Brunel’s Global Challenges programme was highly commended.
Dr Mary Richards, Brunel’s Division Lead for Transdisciplinary Studies in Global Change, said she was humbled to receive the high commendation, in light of the numerous excellent institutional level initiatives happening globally.
“These initiatives are operationalising the drive towards developing a student body and graduates whose educational provision is imbued with the spirit and practice of regeneration.
“We are currently working on a small-scale but hope that Brunel will want to expand and embed the work we are doing across our university,” said Dr Richards.
The judges described the degree as an innovative programme and highlighted its benefits and focus on delivering quality over quantity and creating deep, transformational engagement with sustainability.
Mandekh Hussein, the Programme Director for Global Challenges at Brunel, said: “I am profoundly elated by the momentous recognition received at the 2023 International Green Gown Awards, and I am immensely proud of our BASc Global Challenges community for their unyielding passion and determination.
“We have nurtured a generation of conscious minds, fostering an unwavering commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and global collaboration.
“The flagship degree will continue pushing the boundaries of education, to forge new paths in teaching and learning that inspire, invigorate, and equip our students to confront the complex challenges of our time.”
The Global Challenges programme promotes cross-disciplinary, inclusive sustainability education, benefiting students, the institution, and the wider community both nationally and internationally.
Prof Andrew Jones, Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor and President, was also delighted with the recognition and sees the programme as a step change in university provision.
“This award is important recognition of our pioneering work,” said Prof Jones.
“Our flagship programme plays a crucial role in disseminating trans-disciplinary problem-solving skills across HE, ensuring our diverse student body is acutely aware of the existential threats the planet faces.”
Brunel’s award-winning Global Challenges degree is committed to making the world a better place, and the Green Gown Awards are excited to see how it develops in the future.