Middlesex University’s staff inter faith group scoops honours at University Alliance Awards 2024

Staff network recognised for promoting cohesion and tolerance among diverse communities

Middlesex University’s thriving staff Inter Faith Network (IFN) has won the Alliance Award for promoting community cohesion following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023. 

The University’s IFN, which received the accolade at the University Alliance Awards 2024 ceremony in London last night, was recognised for initiatives to promote understanding and tolerance among the diverse communities in the London Borough of Barnet where the University’s Hendon campus is based. The Alliance Award recognises a team or individual who have demonstrated great collaborative working while respecting and embracing different viewpoints. 

The IFN works closely with local faith leaders and builds on the University’s proud tradition of interfaith dialogue with 64% of its students identifying as ‘BAME’ and its campus in an area of London which is home to Europe’s largest Jewish community. 

"It is an honour and real pleasure to win. The award acknowledges the University’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and our work to continue building bridges and creating dialogue.

Monna Rizvi, a Middlesex University librarian and IFN co-chair 

Monna Rizvi said the award was dedicated to a team effort in promoting cohesion at the University and in the community, including contributions from the University’s Inclusion and Wellbeing Team, Facilities and Estates Team, Students’ Union, Barnet Council and Barnet Multi Faith Forum. 

Dr Ariel Kahn, IFN member and Programme Leader for Creative Writing and Journalism at the University, commented: “This award is a validation of the inspiring work of a dedicated team who have made a real difference to both the Middlesex University and wider community. We look forward to bringing more people together in the year ahead.” 

Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, Middlesex University and its IFN actively engaged with the student body, staff and the wider community to support community cohesion in response to an increase in the number of antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in Barnet. 

The initiatives included organising a Together for Humanity peace vigil in January where more than 200 people listened to speeches from local faith and community leaders. The vigil was attended by representatives from Barnet Multi Faith Forum, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Nisa-Nashim Jewish-Muslim Women’s Network, and schoolchildren from Barnet Sacre Inter-Faith Choir, among others. 

A broader programme of interfaith events led by the University’s IFN over the past year, reaching more than 1,000 people in the local area, have included: 

• An annual interfaith Big Iftar event, inviting everyone to break their fast together during Ramadan; the meal was served to more than 200 people at the Hendon campus in March
• Hosting Barnet’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony
• Hosting Barnet’s Diwali Hindu festival of lights celebration to more than 200 guests
• Co-organising ‘Peace Walks’ to bring local people of different faiths together to walk and explore each other’s places of worship
• Hosting an exhibition for Islamophobia Awareness Month to highlight the positive contributions of Muslims.

The MDX IFN’s initiatives have already seen the network succeed in other awards, including the London Faith and Belief Community Awards in 2022 and 2023 and the Mitzvah Day Awards 2023.

The shortlists for each award were selected by an independent panel of judges from across the higher education and research sector.

Middlesex University was also shortlisted in a number of other categories. Fiona Suthers, Head of Clinical Skills and Simulation and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, was shortlisted in The Technology One Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises a lifetime of exceptional service. Fiona pioneered the introduction of augmented reality in nursing and midwifery training at the University. 

Wyn Griffiths, Senior Lecturer in Product Design and Engineering, was shortlisted for The Braveheart Award which recognises conviction and integrity in a career. Wyn has deployed immersive technology and championed projects that enable students to explore natural disasters and climate change as part of their studies. 

Dr Helen Bendon, Interim Head of the University’s Film School, and Ben Serlin, Senior Safeguarding Project Manager, were nominated in The Star Award category which recognises individuals or teams who have motivated others, for leading a #HearMyVoice campaign. The project involved a series of events at the University which aimed to inspire culture change on campus and in the local community as part of work to tackle misogyny and violence against women and girls.

The University Alliance Awards celebrate the dedication and achievements of staff from 16 member institutions nationwide, who are all leading providers of technical and professional education.