University

24 Feb 10

The Vice-Chancellor will present the first awards later this year. OU/Phil Sayer

Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Andrew Hamilton, launched a new awards scheme on 24 February to recognise students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in and commitment to volunteering.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Civic Awards will recognise and promote the positive impact of Oxford students on the local, national, and international community.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Civic Awards were launched at the Student Volunteering Fair in Oxford’s Town Hall, which was held to mark national Student Volunteering Week 2010. More than 40 local organisations and student volunteering projects were represented at the fair, which was opened by the Lord Mayor.

‘It is important that Oxford continues its vital partnership with the community and encourages student volunteering,’ the Vice-Chancellor said. ‘As a world-leading institution, Oxford should expect to make a major impact on the world beyond its main achievements in teaching and research. Recognising students who show a commitment to improving the quality of life for others will help to promote active citizenship in the local community and the wider world.'

The Vice-Chancellor’s Civic Awards will be given to a maximum of six Oxford University students in recognition of exceptional and inspirational individual achievement in, and person commitment to, volunteering in the community and the wider world. Award winners will receive leadership training, mentoring from successful Oxford alumni and dinner with key members of the University and high-profile alumni.

Adam Grodecki, co-founder and chairman of Oxford Hub, commented: ‘Oxford students have a reputation for excelling at activities beyond their academic studies, such as sport and music, which is partly because the University recognises and supports these pursuits. Civic engagement and volunteering are equally important, which is why I am delighted the Vice-Chancellor is recognising the efforts and achievements of exceptional Oxford students engaged in making a positive difference in the community. Oxford Hub is working closely with the University to build up a culture of giving back amongst the student body, and this new award scheme is a key step towards achieving that.’

Nominations for the Vice-Chancellor’s Civic Awards can be made through the website of Oxford Hub, the organisation responsible for connecting the University’s students with charitable causes and for administering the new awards scheme. Nominations are open to any student, undergraduate or graduate, currently studying at the University of Oxford. Students must be proposed by a ‘sponsor’ and complete a short application, and the judging panel will include the University’s Head of Government and Community Relations and the Vice-President for Charities and Community of the Oxford University Student Union, among others. Nominations close at 5pm on 20 March.