Suffolk Scoops Inaugural Community University of the Year Award

The University of Suffolk has been named as the first recipient of the Community University of the Year award by The Mail University Guide.

The inaugural award has been given for developing the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company, which is delivering NHS oral health care for Suffolk and North East Essex and also for working with partners to provide a university centre at The Place in Great Yarmouth.

The University of Suffolk Dental CIC was awarded an NHS contract last year and facilities are based in the University’s James Hehir building on Ipswich Waterfront. There are ten fully equipped dental surgery units, aiming to help reduce waiting lists across the area.

The University has also developed a state-of-the-art teaching environment for student dental hygienists and therapists.

The Place in Great Yarmouth is set to open next year and will allow the people of Great Yarmouth and beyond to develop their skills and career pathways by providing the opportunity to gain a degree qualification on their doorstep.

The £17million university centre, library and learning centre is in the former Palmers building in the town centre and is a partnership initiative with East Coast College, Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide said: “The Daily Mail’s inaugural Community University of the Year award is designed to recognise the role universities can play in not just the lives of their students but in lifting and impacting the wider community in which they operate.

“Suffolk is a shining example of what can be achieved when a university looks beyond its campus and considers its potential as a catalyst for change and as a force for good for society more widely.”

The award has been announced in conjunction with the Daily Mail university rankings which placed the University of Suffolk top for its counselling course and fourth for first generation students. 

Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, Professor Jenny Higham, said: “This is wonderful news at the start of my time here at the University and is testimony to our community engagement beyond our campus to provide real benefits to the region.

“Both the University of Suffolk Dental CIC and The Place will be beacons showing how universities can be at the heart of social and economic development by collaborating with partners.”

To find out more about the University of Suffolk Dental CIC, visit the website here.