The University has been shortlisted in the University of the Year category in the 2022 UK Social Mobility Awards, which are organised by societal change charity, Making The Leap.
Date: 18 July 2022
London Metropolitan University has been shortlisted in the University of the Year category in the sixth annual UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs), it was announced today.
The UK Social Mobility Awards recognise and celebrate UK organisations in their efforts to improve social mobility, both within their workforce and beyond it. Organised by societal change charity, Making The Leap, the SOMOs were the first national awards dedicated to social mobility, which aims to raise awareness of social mobility by sharing the innovative work of forward-thinking organisations working to improve it.
The projects highlighted in London Met's nomination were the Careers Education Framework, an approach to employability based upon an ethos of social justice to improve graduate outcomes for all students; and Upward Bound, a programme aimed at supporting attainment and aspirations for young people in participating Islington secondary schools.
Head of Widening Participation and Outreach at the University Liz Routhorn, said, "We believe that everyone, whatever their background, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Everyone at the University works hard every day to bring that ambition to life, and we are delighted that London Met's commitment to social mobility has been recognised in the SOMO Awards."
Neelam Thapar, Head of Careers and Employability at London Met said, "University can transform the opportunities and lives of everyone but especially those from less represented backgrounds. In our Careers and Employability team and across the University, we are always working collaboratively to find new ways to enhance the future goals and prospects of our students and to open up opportunities to a wider range of people."
This year’s shortlist comprises of organisations and individuals from a variety of industries who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing social mobility and the efficacy of the initiatives they have created.
The winners of this year’s event will be determined by an independent judging panel, made up of leading figures from business, charity, and the public sector. The judging panel is chaired by the HM Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE. Winners will be announced at an in-person awards gala on 13 October 2022.
Tunde Banjoko OBE, the Chief Executive of Making The Leap, said, "I am delighted with the response to the 2022 UK Social Mobility Awards. The breadth and quality of entries we have received this year is an indication of the ever-growing importance of social mobility to UK business. These awards were established to encourage those UK organisations, for whom social mobility is not their core business, to play their part in addressing this important issue, and the record number of entries is an indication that they wish to do so."
