The University of Law wins inaugural Aziz Inclusion Award

The Aziz Foundation is exceedingly pleased to announce the University of Law (“ULaw”) as the winner of the inaugural Aziz Inclusion Award. The University of Sheffield has been declared the runner-up.

Rahima Aziz BEM, trustee of the Foundation, presented the Aziz Inclusion Award trophy to ULaw’s Executive Team at the institution’s Bloomsbury Campus in London.

Chair of the judging panel, Dr Zain Sardar, Programme Manager at the Aziz Foundation, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that the University of Law has won the inaugural Aziz Inclusion Award. The Award celebrates an institution which has demonstrated excellence in creating an inclusive learning environment for British Muslim students. Through the evidence the Aziz Foundation judges examined, it was clear that ULaw has gone above and beyond for Muslim students on campus. From the range of professional development events being run, the collaboration with organisations such as IAM (Islamophobia Awareness Month), to the marking of the UN Day to Combat Islamophobia, the University has continually striven to be a Muslim Friendly University. The trustees of the Foundation would also like to give special thanks to the EDI team at ULaw for all their efforts.”

In accepting the award, Professor Andrea Nollent, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the The University of Law, responded:

“I am really delighted that we are the first national Aziz Foundation Inclusion Award winners and particularly proud of our staff who continue to embrace our culture of inclusivity and community. 

Staff, the Students’ Union and student societies have all worked together to help demonstrate excellence in accommodating British Muslim students and creating an environment of inclusion.

We are on a journey and this award helps to assure us that we are moving in the right direction. Special thanks to the Aziz family and foundation for this important award.”

The Aziz Inclusion Award celebrates, on an annual basis, a university partner that has demonstrated excellence in bettering the British Muslim student experience on campus.

This year, seven universities were longlisted by Aziz Scholars and alumni, with four institutions shortlisted by a panel of judges. The judges examined the EDI and WP initiatives in place at partner universities, and reviewed evidence, submitted by nominated institutions, of upholding an excellent student experience for British Muslims on campus. The two external judges on the panel were Nahid Roshanali, Universities Coordinator at the campaign organisation Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM), and Ayesha Ahmed, Aziz mentor and Public Affairs professional.

The Foundation would like to congratulate the Executive team at ULaw on its achievement and is looking forward to continuing working closely with the institution to create opportunities for British Muslim communities.