Press release

Queen Margaret University shortlisted for two awards

Edinburgh; 18 March 2010; Queen Margaret University has been shortlisted in two categories in the prestigious Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2010 which recognise outstanding achievement in higher education.

QMU has been selected as finalists in the Outstanding ICT Team category

for its work in using technology to support staff, students and researchers within the university and as a major component of the new campus development.

QMU has also been shortlisted for an award in the ICT Initiative of the Year category for The QMU smartcard project. The Smartcard is a multi-purpose card originally developed to providesecurity and access control, cashless purchasing and visual identification as the student matriculation and staff ID card. Following further development the card can now also be used for library borrowing, print, copy and scanning, parking, gym membership and cashless purchasing in all outlets across the university, including the students’ union.

The Times Higher Education Awards attract a high number of entries each year from around 140 institutions. QMU Principal Dr Petra Wend said; “We are delighted that our ICT team has achieved such recognition, it is well deserved and demonstrates that ICT at QMU is focused on enhancing the student experience. The smartcard initiative has been an extremely important development for QMU and has proved invaluable in adapting and delivering services to the university community. ”

The judges for the Times Higher Education Awards include the Editor and Deputy Editor of Times Higher Education, the chair of AMOSSHE, The Student Services Organisation, and representatives from a range of higher education bodies. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony which will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, on 17 June.

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For further information contact Maggie Wright on 0131 226 3622 or 07801 710360

Editor’s notes

Queen Margaret specialises in professional education and research that informs the development of policy and practice in health, drama & creative arts, media & social science and business & enterprise. The expert knowledge developed at Queen Margaret touches people's everyday lives.

The university employs approximately 500 staff supporting approximately 5500 students.

The new campus opened in Autumn 2007 and is a vibrant new academic village with high-tech buildings and attractive landscaped spaces, featuring an innovative learning resource centre at the heart of the development: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/the_university/new_campus.htm