Professor Tine Buffel and UG Student Khadra Osman winners of this year鈥檚 Distinguished Achievement Awards
Every year, the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester honour exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the institution through the Distinguished Achievements Awards.
In the latest ceremony held on June 28, two members from the School of Social Sciences received prestigious awards. Tine Buffel, Professor in Sociology and Director of the 91直播 Urban Aging Group (MUARG), was recognised as the Researcher of the Year, while Khadra Qani Osman, a final year BASS student, was named the Undergraduate Student of the Year. The awards were presented during an official ceremony held in the Whitworth Hall.
The University of Manchester boasts a remarkable faculty of over 4,000 research staff, and the Distinguished Achievements Awards celebrate the best among them. Colette Fagan, who presented the Researcher of the Year Awards said:
They have been selected by the judges on the basis that their recent research has successfully challenged dogma, created a new field of research, elucidated a new paradigm, made a fundamental change to thinking, or impacted significantly on society.
Tine's research on urban ageing is driving cities to create supportive environments for older people. Through her leadership of the 91直播 Urban Ageing Research Group, Tine has brought international recognition for the University's work in this field and has supported a new generation of researchers. Tine has secured grants and published high-quality research, including two upcoming books in 2023.
Tine's influence extends beyond academia, as she actively shapes policies and practices to enhance the quality of life for older individuals. She serves as an expert member of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing Alliance and the World Health Organisation Advisory Group, and has recently been honoured with two awards for her collaborative research on the experiences of older people during the pandemic.
Judy Williams, who bestowed the Distinguished Award for Undergraduate Student of the Year, emphasized the vital role students play in making the university a dynamic and vibrant place:
The exceptionally high quality of the winners is a credit to our university and we are confident they have successful careers ahead of them, whatever path they choose to take.
Khadra Qani Osman demonstrates the values and commitment to social responsibility, equality and diversity that the University of Manchester promotes. In addition to achieving exceptional results throughout her academic career, her role as Student Representative for the BA Social Sciences played a significant part in shaping the student experience in more positive and diverse ways. She notably established standards for communication of Student Voice to Student Reps and to the BASS Programme Committee, by establishing these platforms for effective student communications.
In addition to her academic achievements, Khadra had maintained a strong focus on building a career in Sports Media, with a focus on Women in Sport. She is an active member of Greater 91直播 4 Women, a member of the Women in Football Network, an active participant in the BCOS North Masterclass Programme, an UpReach associate, and she has served as Inclusive Media Ambassador for UpReach and as an Election Observer for Democracy Volunteers 鈥� all organisations that promote the diversity of all women in sport, technology and politics.
You can find more information about the other winners on the University of Manchester and watch the recording of the ceremony .