Inspirational figures celebrating success
“I will remember this recognition for the rest of my life.”
Janet Tokitsu-Tizon and Dr Mohammad Faisal Ahammad were the respective student and staff winners of the overall Partnership Award
This was the elated reaction from one of the three recipients of the main accolade in a prestigious awards ceremony honouring exceptional dedication and commitment across the University.
In the first of a regular feature series – profiling winners in all 14 categories of this year’s Partnership Awards – we’re highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of the recipients of the headline accolade.
The coveted awards celebrate those people who truly put into practice the Leeds Partnership – an agreement setting out our shared commitment to work together to support all aspects of our University community.
And with nearly 2,200 nominations, there has been plenty to celebrate.
The overall Partnership Award is selected by a judging panel comprising University and LUU colleagues. It celebrates those who work with great drive and vision to make Leeds the exceptional institution we celebrate today.
This year, judges chose to present three awards: one each for a group, student and staff member.
Wonderful feeling
Dr Mohammad Faisal Ahammad, Associate Professor of International Business, was chosen as the staff winner of the Partnership Award.
He said: “I’m pleasantly surprised to receive the overall Partnership Award. It’s a wonderful feeling. The award definitely inspired me!
“I would like to thank my students (BSc International Business) who nominated me for this award. It’s really nice to be appreciated by students. I will remember this recognition for the rest of my life.
“I also would like to thank my colleagues in the International Business division, the Centre for International Business at the University of Leeds (CIBUL) and Leeds University Business School (LUBS), who supported me in enhancing students’ learning experience – Professor Chris Pitelis, Professor Keith Glaister, Professor Jeremy Clegg, Dr Surender Munjal, Dr Andy Smith and Dr Giles Blackburne. Thank you.”
Charlotte Barnes, BSc International Business student, was one of the people who nominated Dr Ahammad for the award. She said: “Dr Ahammad has been a phenomenal boost to the spirits of myself and my friends studying International Business.
“His enthusiasm for bringing quality teaching during times of pandemic, with simulation games that brought everyone ‘together’ during times of social isolation, as well as his selflessness to go above and beyond to help out his students, should not go unnoticed.”
Staff winner Dr Mohammad Faisal Ahammad
Inspiring student leadership
Janet Tokitsu-Tizon, Undergraduate School Rep in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), was selected as the student winner of the Partnership Award.
She said: “It’s such an amazing personal achievement for me to be the recipient of the overall Partnership Award!
“Thank you to the POLIS staff and students, who have worked exceptionally hard this year and have helped me in creating positive change in our school.”
Dr Stuart McAnulla, Director of Student Education in POLIS, nominated Janet for the award. He said: “Janet has been a truly outstanding student representative for POLIS.
“She has navigated this role with great diplomacy and emotional intelligence, whilst also being animated both by a deep passion for the welfare of students and to advance issues of inclusion.
“The benefits of her period in the role will continue to be felt for years to come – for example her role in establishing a new equalities and inclusion student committee, and an environmental action group. These outcomes are indicative of Janet’s pro-active and inspiring student leadership – her hard work has truly diversified and enhanced the role of student voices within the school.”
Student winner Janet Tokitsu-Tizon
Thoughtful and dedicated team
Group winners were the Faculty of Social Sciences student support team.
Max Broady, Student Support Manager in the School of Law, said: “I’m absolutely delighted the Faculty of Social Sciences student support team has been awarded the overall group Partnership Award.
“It’s very gratifying to know the team’s hard work and unwavering commitment to supporting our students during this most difficult year has been recognised and appreciated.
“I cannot say enough good things about my colleagues in the student support team. They have risen to meet the significant and unprecedented challenges of the past year with their usual positivity and good humour. It’s fantastic to be part of such a thoughtful and dedicated team. They’re the best colleagues anyone could hope for and they’re a real credit to the University.”
Susan Long, School of Education Service Manager, nominated the team for the award. She said: “The team has received outstanding accolades from external examiners about the processing of work, the running of the exam boards and on the feedback they were given from the students.
“The student support officers have again received fabulous feedback from the students about the input, care and support they’ve given. They’re continually using their initiative to develop processes to enhance the student experience, particularly whilst working under extreme pressure and in difficult circumstances – working from home, caring and home-schooling. They’ve been absolutely brilliant.”
* More in-depth profiles of each of the winners will appear on the For Staff website during the coming weeks. These will also be promoted via the weekly All Staff enewsletters and the Staff Twitter account.
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