On Tuesday 3rd June 2025, Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) teams showcased their work at the end of semester event held at Edufest 2025. The event showcased a display of innovation, with students presenting posters that captured the essence of their semester long research and development work.
This year’s Edufest held a special first: the inaugural VIP Awards. Designed to celebrate excellence, commitment, and community spirit, these new awards recognise the diverse ways in which VIP teams and individuals contribute to meaningful and impactful projects across the university and beyond.
Introducing the 2025 VIP Awards
The VIP initiative is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and real-world problem-solving. To reflect this, five new awards have been introduced, each capturing a unique dimension of what it means to thrive in a VIP environment.
🏆 Most Effective VIP Team Award
A team that demonstrates outstanding collaboration, listens respectfully, and achieves goals efficiently with clear objectives, delivering impactful results through great teamwork.
The winner for Most Effective VIP Team Award 2025 goes to: Student Wellbeing
🌟 Above & Beyond Team Member Award
An 'Above & Beyond Team Member' is someone who consistently goes the extra mile, offering support and contributing in ways that make a positive difference to the team.
The winner for Above & Beyond Team Member Awards 2025 goes to: Vienne Lin, Ed Reserach in Education, member of Creating immersive training experience in virtual reality.
🤝 Community Involvement Award
This award recognises the VIP team that has actively engaged with its target community, building connections, and making a positive difference through their involvement. Community could include student community, campus community or the local area.
The winner for Community Involvement Award 2025 goes to: Carers Centre: A carbon reduction journey
🌍 SDG Recognition Award
The VIP team that has made a positive impact in supporting and working towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
The winner of SDG Recognition Award 2025 goes to: Environmental Leaders programme.
👏 Most Supportive Staff Member Award
This award is for a member of staff who has provided encouragement, offered help and creates a positive and collaborative VIP team environment.
The winner of Most Supportive Staff Member Award 2025 goes to: Dr Richard Joiner, Department of Psychology (Academic Lead of Student Wellbeing VIP)
Nominations were invited from both Vertically Integrated Project team members and Staff. Nominations were taken to a panel where they were shortlisted.
Looking Ahead
As the VIP model continues to empower students through interdisciplinary, long-term research projects, the awards serve as a motivational touchstone, encouraging excellence not just in outputs, but in values, relationships, and community impact.
Congratulations to all the teams and individuals who were nominated—and especially to those who won awards. The VIP work continues to inspire and push the boundaries of what’s possible in student-led innovation.
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