SERC Winners at Prestigious Green Gown Awards

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has been announced as a winner in the prestigious Green Gown Awards which recognise educational institutions, both large and small, who have made a difference in sustainability. 

SERC was named winner in the Enterprise category. The college was the only Northern Ireland college of further education to reach the finals and faced competition from across the UK and Ireland from City of Glasgow College, Galway-Mayo Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Warwick. 

The Enterprise category, one of 12 for organisations, recognises the important role social enterprise, social media and sustainable enterprise can play in ensuring that education leavers can rise to the 21st century's economic, environmental and social challenges. Skills such as creativity, innovation, resilience, opportunity recognition and self-determination and entrepreneurial skills are crucial for new business generation. 

Natasha Lloyd, Innovation Advisor at SERC says

“I am delighted to be a part of such a dynamic, creative team and one that recognises the primary importance of sustainability in everything we do. Congratulations to everyone who has worked with such passion and vision, including our wonderful students, to make this happen! I cannot wait to see where we go next!”

Lizzie Buick, Deputy Head of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, added

“This award is an accolade for everyone who has worked with such passion, diligence and vision to build the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem we have at SERC, and, most importantly, to place sustainability at the very heart of this. The environment is fundamental to everything we do, and we must recognise this to safeguard the future of the next generation.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire Enterprise team, including Aurla McLoughlin, Michael Holmes, Rachel Innes, Megan Rollins, Dearbhla Knight, Charlotte Buick, Karen McCartan, Jake Collyer and Natasha Lloyd, for all of their hard work and passion. Sincere thanks also to Chris Boyle and Gareth Compton for their creativity and hard work in making our promotional video, Professor Terence Brannigan our Entrepreneur in Residence and Aine McGreeghan engineering lecturer for her unswervingly loyalty and support of our team. Special thanks to Natasha Lloyd who is key to our ongoing success. 

“Congratulations and thanks also to our environmentally-conscious students, whose thriving green and social enterprises are changing our world for the better. It takes a village and my, what a village we have.”

Visit www.serc.ac.uk to find out how you could be #BetterOffAtSERC #OnlineAndOpenForBusiness Find us on Facebook, search SERC.

Caption: Pictured L-R, Megan Rollins, Rachel Innes, Charlotte Buick, Natasha Lloyd, Lizzie Buick, Dearbhla Knight of SERC's Enterprise and Entrepreneurship team. Their work on a number of enterprise initiatives including development of student companies helped secure the College a win in the prestigious Green Gown Awards, which recognise educational institutions from across the UK and Ireland who have made a difference in the area of sustainability. SERC was the only Northern Ireland college of further education to reach the finals.