LUBS Partnership Awards 2024 - the winners!

On the evening of Wednesday 24 April the wait was finally over - it was time to find out which of our wonderful students and members of staff would be crowned the winners of this year's LUBS Partnership Awards!

The awards are an annual event which cover thirteen public vote categories, plus the coveted "Overall Partnership Award", which is selected by the judging panel.

Over a hundred nominees; staff, students and their guests, gathered in their best attire to celebrate the most dedicated and inspirational members of our community. The evening began in a cordial  but professional manner with beautifully laid out tables adorned with a variety of canapés - but would the sense of decorum last?

Once everyone was seated the Executive Dean of Leeds University Business School, Julia Bennell, opened the proceedings before handing over in turn for awards presented by colleagues Cathy myles (Pro Dean for Student Education), Muhammad Faisal Ahammad (Head of the International Business) and Louise Thornhill (Student Education Service Delivery Manager).

We were delighted this year to introduce a new feature - with two awards being presented by former multiple Partnership Award winner Safa Kadir (2023 student winner of the Positive Contribution to Student Experience, Student Academic Rep of the Year and Overall Partnership Award). Of the experience Safa said:

The LUBS Partnership Awards are an incredible expression of prestige, diversity and achievement. To be in attendance twice has been unforgettable and truly moments that I have cherished. Being The First Student Presenter of the awards is an honour that I am proud to have and will forever be in my Top 5 Moments at Leeds!

The first student winner of the night was in the category of "Equality and Inclusion", which went to president of the Women in Leadership Society, Tanvi Jetti.

 

The whole event was such a delight and will be a night I will always cherish. Definitely one of the highlights of my time at Leeds!

Unfortunately, the next victorious student was unable to attend the event, but even in his absence the room loudly celebrated the achievements of Devesh Saboo, who was declared the winner of the Contribution to Student Experience award for his incredible work in creating networks and connections between LUBS students past and present.

I was very happy to hear that I was selected for the award, it is a dream come true!

Safa later took the stage to announce the student winners and nominees who were highly commended in the categories of Student Academic Rep of the Year, and Student of the Year:

Whoa! My pleasure at being chosen a highly commended student of the year is still overwhelming me. Life at LUBS is about more than classes; it's about the relationships we make, the shared experiences, and the obstacles we face as a community. Being a member of this amazing community makes me really proud."

I have the goal of improving the younger mature student experience at the university. I’m extremely proud that this work, notably Middle Ground Network has been recognised by LUBS and I'm excited for more people to hear about our mission! I’m grateful for the school’s recognition and look forward to continuing this work in the future."

The final award of the night was the prestigious "Overall Partnership Award", where the judging panel selected one member of staff and one student to be recognised for their particularly outstanding contribution to the mission of the Business School throughout the last year. The 2024 Staff winner was Senior Digital Technologist Sean Gledhill, who had this to say:

The ceremony represented everything that is brilliant about LUBS. It was great to see students and staff being recognised and rewarded together for the tireless work they've put into enabling an exceptional student experience. As a member of staff who works mostly 'behind the scenes' the awards are energising and serve as a valuable reminder of what a special place LUBS is.

So, with a drum roll and great anticipation, it is time for this article to announce the 2024 Overall Partnership Award winning student... Hamzeh Qaraman!

With the awards all presented, it was time for a hungry audience to enjoy a delicious hot fork buffet, for which they had waited patiently throughout the proceedings. Those in attendance began to enjoy a convivial evening meal with all the sense of proper civility and correctness you might expect from an internationally renowned business school.

Then suddenly there was a crash.

All heads turned as the sound of shattered crockery echoed around the dining hall. Most assumed a member of the hard working serving team had slipped whilst clearing away a table. However, something else was afoot...

Two of the waiters cast aside their disguise and commanded the attention of the room through previously concealed microphones. Within minutes the whole room had taken on a raucous and fun atmosphere of freestyle dance and karaoke, as staff and students marched around the Refectory in a giant conga line!

I loved the whole event with the surprise "waiters". I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate with all of us dancing haha. Might I also add that the food and desserts were just as delightful!

Congratulations to all of our nominated, Highly Commended and Winning students for the 2024 LUBS Partnership Awards - thanks for all being awesome, and making our community so wonderful.

You can read the full list of winners, staff included, over on the main LUBS website