International recognition and success for the Centre for Lifelong Learning
The Centre for Lifelong Learning has been recognised for its international excellence and contribution to lifelong learning. The award was made as part of Universities Association for Lifelong Learning's recent Award Scheme that celebrates projects, programmes, partnerships, sustainability and research that promote lifelong learning in the Higher Education Sector. The award recognised the creative Lifelong Learning initiatives of the Centre which have proven impact and demonstrable sustainability.
This included its:
- Long standing continuous delivery of adult education, representing a sustained commitment to lifelong learning regionally and nationally. It also provides a long-term commitment to widening access routes for learners to attend the University of Warwick, irrespective of background.
- Excellence in provision for people-focused professions, preparing graduates for roles that strengthen communities and public services through flexible pathways for learning.
- Global and local engagement with partners that support lifelong learning across sectors, ensuring students receive wraparound support from academic and professional service colleagues, enabling high levels of progression, retention and completion.
- Excellence in community-engaged and real-world learning, including authentically designed assessment that enables learners to demonstrate evidence-based practice understanding and appropriate andragogical principles.
The award also recognises CLL’s achievement in student outcomes for adult learners, research and scholarship and work in the field of social justice, sustainability and social impact.
Dr Nalita James, Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Reader said --
“We are delighted to have received the UALL-SCUTREA Award, which recognises the sustained contribution and significant impact that the Centre for Lifelong Learning has made in advancing inclusive and flexible education, supporting learners of all ages, and strengthening community engagement and lifelong skills development. This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of the staff within the Centre.”
The award was presented at the recent Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) and the Standing Committee on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA) annual conference which was hosted by the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick.
CLL had the opportunity to welcome our former Social Studies student Attal Shams back to Warwick as our guest of honour at the awards dinner and were delighted that Attal was able to present the award to us. At the conference, Attal spoke of his personal and educational journey and how his opportunities to access a degree in the Centre for Lifelong Learning developed his commitment to social justice, one of the themes of the conference, and his professional work now as the Head of Adult and Access to Higher Education Learning and Counselling at Macclesfield College.
The three-day conference joined practitioners, researchers and policy makers across the lifelong learning sector to share ideas, innovative practice and research.
Feedback from the conference has also been overwhelmingly positive, with delegates sharing how inspiring and thought provoking the conference was describing it as a
“rich creative oasis and a profound opportunity to explore the challenges of the current context and how we can reimagine lifelong learning” and “The conference provided a valuable space for important dialogue. The showcases, discussions and overall sense of positivity were genuinely inspiring.”
The full programme included a number of CLL colleagues presenting aspects of their research and professional practice, including the important role of professional services colleagues in educational provision for lifelong learners and supporting their success. We’re particularly proud to celebrate UG and PGT students in counselling, psychotherapy, careers and coaching studies collaborating with academic and professional services staff to share their experiences as adult learners during conference workshops and several of our PGR students sharing their research.
The award is a testament to the commitment and hard work of colleagues across the Centre for Lifelong Learning and their long-standing provision of opportunities for adult and professional learning, andragogical research and practice, and engagement with partners. We are delighted to be internationally recognised for this work, for our commitment and impact in social justice and sustainability.
About the author
Professor Ruth Hewston, Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick