Plymouth University short-listed for two prestigious national higher education awards

A university music festival that has championed cutting edge composition and attracted innovative performances to the South West has been nominated for a prestigious higher education award.

The Peninsula Arts Contemporary Music Festival, at Plymouth University, has been running for seven years and has seen its profile reach national levels thanks to imaginative events like the Sunlight Symphony, in which composer Alexis Kirke attached light sensors to the Roland Levinsky Building and used the rising sun to play music.

Founded by the University's Simon Ible and Professor Eduardo Miranda, the festival has showcased and premiered the work of local and regional composers and attracted world-class performers such as Dame Evelyn Glennie to the city.

Now it has captured the imagination of the judges at the Times Higher Education Awards after it was short-listed in its Excellence and Innovation in the Arts category.

Professor David Coslett, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “This is fantastic recognition for Peninsula Arts and the Contemporary Music Festival, which is unique in the way it brings together classical music tradition with cutting edge digital technology and new media.

“Its aim – like that of the wider Peninsula Arts programme – is to champion creative and cultural activities and industries, attract innovative performers and performances to the South West, and nurture the region’s own artistic talent.”

For the second year in succession, Plymouth University’s work in supporting and promoting enterprise and entrepreneurialism has also been recognised by Times Higher Education, after it was shortlisted in its Entrepreneurial University of the Year category.

This nomination acknowledges not just the enterprising work and attitude of staff and students, but also the impact the institution is having upon the economic landscape, regionally and nationally.

Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are building a sustainable enterprise culture that encourages and supports our staff, students, graduates and community partners to be bold, entrepreneurial and innovative.

“Enterprise defines our approach to higher education and distinguishes us from others. We are leading the sector in pioneering a new model University, embracing our public role as a catalyst for change.”

The Times Higher Education Awards will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on Thursday 24 November.