Student Collective wins teaching excellence Award

The Collective has 372 members in the School of Health and Society and is a vital source of support for minoritised ethnic students encountering race-related challenges at university. It is a model of best practice in inclusivity, belonging and partnership with minoritised ethnic students.

The award-winning team who facilitate the Collective are: Suryia Nayak (Senior Lecturer in Social Work & Integrated Practice and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead for the SHS), Maxine Hamilton Bell (Lecturer in Learning Disabilities, Nursing, and Social Work), Patience Udonsi (Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability Nursing and Social Work) and India Amos (Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy), along with Johana Hammad who provides administrative support. Collective members Anuoluwapo Ubikitan and Christain Nyingcho are also recognised as contributing members of the winning entry, along with SHS employability advisor Cathy Deihim.

The Minoritised Ethnic Student Collective was formed in response to how structural racism manifests and is perpetuated in higher education institutions. It was established in June 2020, in the context of Covid-19 and resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and has come to have multiple meanings; it is a decolonised set of values within higher education, it is a weekly online space exclusively for minoritised ethnic students and alumni, and most crucially it is the 372 collective members that come together in solidarity.

The CATE is one of the most sought after accolades in higher education. It recognises and rewards collaborative work which has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning, and which highlights the key role of teamwork in the UK’s educational institutions.

Reflecting on the news Suryia, Maxine, Patience, India and Johana issued a statement saying:

“We are delighted that the work of our Collective has been given this recognition. We celebrate this achievement in the knowledge that the success of one member of our Collective is an accomplishment for us all, in line with our UBUNTU philosophy, which can be summarised by the phrase, “I am, Because We ARE.” UBUNTU is about strengthening social solidarity, global connectedness as well as valuing Indigenous knowledge and wisdom.  Working in solidarity we recognise that our work is never done; we work with a continuous commitment to process, repeating the mantras that unite us and our shared vision with every step: “Together we are Stronger” and “Silence Will Not Protect”.”

Christain Nyingcho, who studied an MA in Social Work and is a member of the Minoritised Ethnic Student Collective said:

“I am equally thrilled with the fantastic news and extend my congratulations to all. Thanks for the mentoring and support Suryia, Maxine, Patience and India offer to us, it has helped many of us to cope in challenging situations and to develop new skills.”

Pradeep Passi, who is Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Salford says:

“The Collective is an outstanding example of our institutional principles being put into practice. Our colleagues who co-ordinate this work alongside students have developed a model of working that not only provides a genuine platform for students, but actively provides a mechanism for two-way dialogue between colleagues and students that directly impacts on practice and outcomes."

Jess Power (Associate Pro Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching Enhancement, Professor of Learning & Teaching)

“We are absolutely delighted that the work of The Collective has won a CATE. India, Maxine, Suryia, Patience, Johana, Anuoluwapo, Christain and Cathy have made a huge impact in developing belonging and inclusivity within and beyond their School. The Collective is truly collaborative, working in partnership with students, staff and stakeholders to provide a dedicated space to debate, discuss and provide solutions to some of the challenges faced by our ethnic minority students. It is an outstanding example of co-creation aligning to the university’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.”  

Alison Johns, Advance HE Chief Executive said,  

“I am delighted to announce this year’s winners of the National Teaching Fellowship and Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence. Advance HE has the privilege of running these  awards on behalf of the sector and we are extremely proud of the way these teams and individuals enhance the quality of teaching in higher education. 

“We know that higher education has the power to transform lives but this doesn’t happen by default. Outstanding teaching is the result of knowledge, commitment, passion, energy and creativity. All of these 2024 winners demonstrate these attributes and put them into practice with excellent results.  

“It is vital for student success that we invest in higher education teaching and promote the value of excellence. Congratulations to each and every one of you.”

If you are interested in knowing more about the Minoritised Ethnic Student Collective in the University of Salford’s School of Health and Society, please email  healthsociety-collective@salford.ac.uk

PICTURE SHOWS L TO R: The Collective Team - Johana Hammad, Patience Udonsi, Maxine Hamilton Bell, Suryia Nayak, India Amos