Responsible Futures accreditation success
It is great for Keele to get official recognition as a leader in this area nationally
Keele University has received accreditation for embedding sustainability and social responsibility into their curriculum
Keele is one of the first institutions to be awarded the National Union of Students’ ‘Responsible Futures accreditation’. This accreditation reflects the institution’s and students’ union’s strong commitment to embedding sustainability and social responsibility into the experience of students studying at Keele. Keele was awarded more than double the points necessary for accreditation, being awarded 261 points out of a maximum of 300 across criteria covering areas such as policy and commitment, and overall impact on the student experience. This strong performance reflects Keele’s position as one of the sustainability leaders in the higher education sector.
In the report, the National Union of Students assessor said “It is clear that the University of Keele and Keele Students’ Union have historically taken a strategic, whole-institution approach to embedding Education for Sustainability. Through this audit, Keele has demonstrated the extent of their work and shown the past efforts contributing to their accreditation. It is clear that the students are very positive about sustainability and becoming more so, thanks to Keele’s enthusiastic and dedicated approach.”
Thirteen institutions across the UK took part in the Responsible Futures pilot this year, all demonstrating their commitment to creating an environment for education for sustainable development to thrive.
The NUS’s aim is to see students leave their institutions with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to critically challenge the world around them, and a desire and willingness to tackle social, economic and environmental issues and inequalities.
Professor Fiona Cownie, Pro-Vice Chancellor Education and Student Experience, Keele University commented “It is great for Keele to get official recognition as a leader in this area nationally. We are determined to continue developing opportunities for all our students to learn about sustainability.”
NUS Vice President (Society and Citizenship) Piers Telemacque commented: “We need our graduates to meet the challenges of the century ahead of us, not to repeat the mistakes of the decades behind us. That’s why I’m so thrilled that Keele University, has been accredited with the Responsible Futures mark.”
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For media enquiries, contact: Chris Stone, Press Officer, Keele University
About NUS
National Union of Students (NUS) has 600 students’ unions from across further and higher education in its membership, representing 7 million students across the UK. NUS shapes education to create a fairer and more prosperous society, while promoting, defending and extending the rights of students.
About Responsible Futures
Responsible Futures is a desirable, externally assessed accreditation mark for a whole-institution approach to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, spanning the formal and informal curriculum, applicable to both further and higher education institutions. www.nus.org.uk/responsiblefutures