Nottingham City of Sanctuary is absolutely delighted with the news that the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have jointly been awarded University of Sanctuary status.  The award committee commented “We are delighted that the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have been awarded as Universities of Sanctuary. The scholarships, research and outreach activity developed by the universities so far have contributed positively to the community. We were particularly excited to hear about the universities’ plans to expand their scholarship offers and support for more students next year! and were impressed by the brilliant STAR group and their initiatives”  This follows the news that both Universities were the first in the country to put in a joint application for University of Sanctuary under the pioneering Universities for Nottingham Project which aims to benefit our place, peoples and communities.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, Professor Shearer West CBE said in response to the news “I am delighted to support the application by the city’s two universities for the University of Sanctuary award.

When I was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, I witnessed the importance of its own Sanctuary award and the impact it made on staff, students and stakeholders across the city in galvanising their commitment to welcome and support refugees of all nationalities.

And now as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, where Student Action for Refugees (STAR) was founded, I am privileged to lead a community which is so devoted to supporting vulnerable people from across the globe.

Together, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University work to promote sanctuary and support those who are threatened or displaced by conflict or persecution – through our research, teaching, and student activity well as our partnerships with community organisations across the city.”

Professor Edward Peck, Vice Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University added in hi statement “NTU is proud to be able to provide a place of support, safety and inclusion for academics and young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. Together with our colleagues at the University of Nottingham, we want to ensure that our community is welcome, inclusive and safe for all. We are privileged to receive this recognition of our commitment to supporting those seeking sanctuary through outreach, research, training, and educational opportunity.”

Nottingham City of Sanctuary knows how much hard work and dedication was put into this joint application and commends everyone involved.  We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with both Universities in the years to come.