St Mary’s Hosts Work Placement and Internship Awards

The Employability Service at St Mary’s University, Twickenham recently celebrated the achievements of students who had undertaken a work placement, internship or volunteering opportunity during their studies at a ceremony in the Waldegrave Drawing Room.

Sponsored by Santander Universities, the evening showcased the talent, skills and professional attitude of students who had made a real contribution to their host organisations.

St Mary’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly opened the event with a speech celebrating our continuing relationship with the small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) that work with St Mary’s to develop world-class graduates through enhancing their knowledge and applying their academic training to the workplace.

Head of Retail and Business Banking at Santander UK Susan Allen delivered the keynote speech. Her address highlighted that SMEs make up 99% of the private sector and provide 70% of entry level roles, and play a vital role in offering placements and internship opportunities, supporting lifelong learning and growing and harnessing new talent. 

The students were nominated by their placement and internship providers or volunteering host. The University recognised students in the following award categories: Values, Excellence, Knowledge Transfer, Professional Conduct, High Flyer, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Most Improved, and a Volunteer of the Year award for community service.

The placement providers were also recognised for their integral role in the academic and professional development experience of students. Three organisations received awards, Harlequins FC, SPEAR and Venters Solicitors. Appetite 4 Work, also received a distinction for providing an outstanding student placement experience.

The final awards of the evening were presented by Santander, sponsor the internship programme. Intern of the Year went to Hanna Kiani and the Internship Provider award went to Truth Gyms, founded by a St Mary’s alumnus.

Speaking of the event, Head of Employability Services Yasmina Mallam-Hassam said, “The evening showcased the best of St Mary’s talent and we were very proud of their achievements. St Mary’s received over 80 nominations which was a testament to the impact the students had made and the quality of the placement, volunteering and internship experiences students received.”