Tell us about your organisation.

The University of South Wales is one of the UK’s major higher education institutions, with students from more than 120 countries studying the full range of degrees of a large modern University. Within the UK, USW is unique in the breadth of its role, encompassing a modern university and two subsidiaries in Wales’s national conservatoire, The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and The College, Merthyr Tydfil. The University’s work has been recognised with UK-wide awards for its innovative support to students, and widening access to higher education.

Why are you supporting the awards?

We are very pleased to once again be supporting the Womenspire Awards, which showcase so many role models, achievements and fantastic stories. It is a wonderful way to highlight both professional and personal accomplishments and we are very proud to be associated with the awards. We are particularly pleased to be this year’s Community Sponsor and to demonstrate the University’s support for the local community.

Why does gender equality matter to you?

Equality in general is important to us at the University of South Wales, so that everyone, both staff and students, are given the same opportunities and treated fairly and equally. We invest in developing women in the University, such as through our Women Development Programme, to ensure that they are represented at all levels of academia and are encouraged to be coaches and mentors to enable everyone to reach their full potential.

Why do you support the work of Chwarae Teg?

We support Chwarae Teg’s ethos to build a Wales where women achieve and prosper. Higher education can assist in achieving this, helping to widen access in our communities by providing employment-focused higher education for talented and motivated students from all backgrounds, as well as a supportive and positive environment for our staff.