University Of Edinburgh shine in at Students’ Society Awards
Some 11 students and groups were recognised for their outstanding achievements at an event held on 6 April at the University’s Debating Hall in Teviot Row House.
Award categories at the annual EUSA event included Campaign of the Year, Outstanding International or Multicultural Initiative and Unsung Hero – an award that celebrates a student who is dependable, consistent and highly valued without seeking praise or recognition for their role.
Student volunteers, sabbatical officers and staff members formed the judging panel selecting the winners and performances from University societies took place throughout the evening, including the Jazz Society, Brass Band, Chinese Dance Society and Tone Up.
Peer recognition
The EUSA Student Awards were established in 2018 with the ethos that no achievement is too big or too small.
The Awards celebrate the fact that it’s sometimes the smallest acts of inclusion, creativity and determination that make the biggest difference to others.
All of the entrants were nominated by their peers, University staff members or members of the public for having dedicated their time to a cause, fostering supportive student communities or overcoming personal challenges.
Worthy winners
All the award winners were decided by the judging panel based on the quality of nominations, rather than the quantity.
A group of students were presented with prizes at the annual EUSA Student Awards
Students who have gone above and beyond were awarded with prizes
Student Group of the Year
The winner of the Student Group of the Year award was Conscious Edinburgh: The Student-Led Mental Health Charity.
Conscious Edinburgh promotes student mental health and well-being. Since the 21/22 Academic Year, more than 1,700 individual students have engaged with their campaigns, including their annual Conscious Ball, which generated around £5500 in funds for their charity work.
Outstanding Leadership
Pia Wahi-Singh picked up the Outstanding Leadership award.
Pia has been the University’s Medical School Undergraduate Representative for the past two years and the elected president for the Association of Women Surgeons Edinburgh for the past three years. In this role, she has strived to increase access to the surgical field.
Event of the Year
The winner of the Event of the Year award was Celebrating Queer Joy – Jaime Llorente Prada.
The ‘Celebrating Queer Joy’ series promoted inclusivity, diversity and creativity within the University’s student community during LGBTQ+ History Month. The series consisted of four art workshops that provided a safe and welcoming space for queer students to express themselves freely, culminating in an exhibition showcasing the artwork created.
Fundraiser of the Year
Fundraiser of the Year was awarded to Turkish Society – Humanitarian Relief.
The Turkish Society ran two fundraisers to raise money and awareness for the Turkey-Syria earthquakes, leading to more than £5000 being sent to a charity which helps to provide food, shelter and medical equipment to survivors.
Campaign of the Year
The winner of the Campaign of the Year award was Islamic Society – Islamophobia Awareness Month.
The Islamic Society ran their second Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) campaign this year, consisting of seven events to highlight the realities and lived experiences of the University’s Muslim students.
Outstanding Contribution to Community Wellbeing
Outstanding Contribution to Community Wellbeing award was presented to Children’s Holiday Venture.
Children’s Holiday Venture works with children across Edinburgh who are additionally challenged, running free fortnightly activities with the aim of improving their emotional wellbeing.
Outstanding Representation
The winner of the Outstanding Representation award was Diya Goel.
Diya is actively involved in the University’s student community, from being an Assistant Producer in Footlight’s Bring it On show, to volunteering with the Students’ Association during Welcome Week. She also started her own blog, DeepFriedBagPipes, where new students could get advice and support.
Collaboration of the Year
Collaboration of the Year went to Hellenic Society, Italian Society, La French Society, Spanish Society, Yugo Society – Mediterranean Ball.
These University societies collaborated to organise a Mediterranean Ball in March to bring together students from different countries and celebrate the diversity of Edinburgh’s student body.
Outstanding Community Impact in Volunteering
The winner of the Outstanding Community Impact in Volunteering award is Slurp: Student for Action on Homelessness.
Slurp is a University society committed to taking action for housing justice through directly supporting individuals in difficult housing circumstances and tackling the systematic issues that cause people to be in these situations.
Outstanding International or Multicultural Initiative
Outstanding International or Multicultural Initiative award was presented to the Ukrainian Society.
The University’s Ukrainian Society has been actively involved in organising various events and activities that showcase the unique traditions, heritage and history of Ukraine. They have coordinated students to volunteer with local organisations, collecting donations and providing translations for refugees in Scotland.
Unsung Hero
The winner of the Unsung Hero award was Bhanu Wahi-Singh.
As an Activities Representative, Bhanu championed the removal of barriers faced by students in accessing societies and has pushed for a global perspective, rather than a Europe-centred approach when the University Senate awards its honorary degrees each year. He is also the co-founder of an NGO that has raised over £30,000 to remove barriers to healthcare and education to underprivileged children.