The exceptional achievement of Westford University College was celebrated by its students, staff, alumni, and well-wishers as the college was awarded with the prestigious BTEC INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2021 Silver Award.
Westford’s strong determination in serving its student community was celebrated at the 11th anniversary of Pearson’s annual BTEC Awards hosted online on 7th July 2021 at 2 pm (BST). The event was co-hosted by United View, YouTube infleuncer, BTEC alumnus and ambassador, Flex sports presenter and Gemma Care. A total of 19 category award winners were celebrated from around the UK and internationally in subjects such as Health and Social Care, Performing Arts, Engineering, IT, Business, and Sport.
BTEC alumni including Academy Award winning producer and Head of Film and Animation at Screen Skills, Gareth Ellis-Unwin, entrepreneur and founder of SB.TV, Jamal Edwards, and MBE as well as an award-winning actress, Lucy Fallon were among those that were handing out awards.
It is an honor for Westford University College to have won the prestigious BTEC International Institution of the Year Silver Award 2021. It is a moment of pride and joy for Team Westford as it is a recognition of their consistent hard work and dedication to the cause of academic excellence over the years.
Firoz Thairinil
Founder & CEO, Westford Education Group
We are extremely glad to win the BTEC INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR Silver Award 2021! It is a proud moment for Westford that we have won at the 11th anniversary of BTEC awards while Westford is also completing 11 years of operations and 11 years of partnership with Pearson, with the achievement of around 2000 BTEC graduates. We dedicate this award to our BTEC students who have achieved great success by demonstrating hard work and commitment during a time of unprecedented disruption. This is an extraordinary achievement and we are thrilled to celebrate this prestigious recognition. A huge round of applause goes to Team Westford who delivered high-quality education from the UK and supported the students to excel, and prepared them to face bigger challenges in the industry.
Hanil Das
Co-founder &Executive Director, Westford University College
When I nominated Westford University College, I was confident that we would take away the title this year but wasn’t sure until the list of winners were announced. I am feeling spellbound that we won a silver award. Throughout my career in academics, I have known about Pearson BTEC awards, how rigorous the competition is and how challenging it can be to win such a prestigious title. We were not just competing for this award regionally but with international institutions in the education sector across the globe. All I can say is “The Silver Award” is well deserved and I am proud to be a part of this landmark moment for Westford.
Anam Shahid
Nominator, Faculty
Member & Course leader,Westford University College
2021 has been another extraordinary year for our BTEC learners, tutors, teachers, colleges and schools and I am delighted that today we are able to come together and celebrate this year’s winners – and all of the individuals who will be awarded a BTEC qualification this year. The hard work and commitment demonstrated by our award winners, all of whom have achieved great things, during a time of unprecedented disruption, is extraordinary and I am proud we are able to celebrate their achievements.
Cindy Rampersaud
Senior Vice President
BTEC & Apprenticeships,Pearson
During the ceremony hosted on YouTube, Pearson also announced the winners of the 2021 Showstopper Challenge, a competition that allows BTEC performers to showcase their talents. The audience was treated to performances from:
- Bishop Challoner Catholic College
- Jackie Palmer Academy
- Clevedon School
- D16 Performing Arts College
Nearly a million learners across the globe completed BTEC courses over the past year; the career-focused qualifications are a vital route for those pursuing careers in sectors such as IT, business, the creative industries, healthcare, engineering, construction and future industries. This is especially important in the current context as the UK responds to the global pandemic and looks to kickstart projects to speed economic recovery.
I must emphasize the importance of BTEC as a career-focused type of qualification and that for me is key. This is all about delivering the right skills to the right people at the right time in the right way and BTEC qualifications does just that. For me, BTEC qualifications are a game-changer. They change lives and they help people improve and contribute to business and society in a big way. A huge congratulations once again to all the winners and all of the nominees.
Jonathan Ledger
Skills Specialist at The Department for International Trade
This award is a milestone in our journey with Pearson. We have always focused on innovative ways to enhance the quality of our vocational and experiential inputs in delivering BTEC courses. Looking forward to a more rewarding and strategic partnership with Pearson to keep adding more value to our students and all stakeholders at Westford.
Zawahir Siddique
Associate Dean & Head of Blended Learning,Westford University College
WUC has received this prestigious award for its outstanding delivery of BTEC courses. It is a huge honor for everyone at Westford to win this award and it is a validation of the work we put in for our students. In addition, we all are proud to have won this award as it represents our commitment to teaching progressively.
Tausif Mulla
Faculty & Course Leader,Westford University College
Congratulations to the entire team of Westford University College for achieving this Silver Award ‘ BTEC International Institute of the Year 2021′ I feel extremely privileged and grateful that we received this recognition. With the continuous level of commitment and excellence the team has put in pioneering innovative teachings and assessment methods to support students’ learning and meet the quality requirements of World Class Education. A Big Thank You to all our students for this remarkable achievement.
Gorette Fernandes
Manager – Admissions,Westford University College
Westford has won the silver award for BTEC international institute of the year 2021 and I cannot express my happiness in words. BTEC foundation course has been an extraordinary experience and taking it in Westford university college has been one of my best decisions. I’m very proud and grateful to be a part of this college. Thank you Westford!.
Fathima Maheesha
Pearson BTEC International L3
Foundation Diploma in Business,Westford University College
As a Westford student, it gives me immense pride to hear that Westford University College has won silver at the BTEC awards. Westford’s learning environment is inclusive, exploratory, and extremely rewarding. Hence, I truly believe that the award is very well deserved. By remaining on this upward trajectory by focusing on student development and growth, I know that Westford University College will achieve bigger milestones in the future.
WardahFaruqui
Pearson BTEC
L5-HND Business Management,Westford University College
The academic team at Westford is excellent. They are very approachable and they assist in solving issues that you might be facing as a learner. The kind of support extended is all worthy of the awards and accolades they have received. I am so proud to be a part of such a great university that has won a prestigious award – Pearson’s BTEC International Institution of the Year 2021 Silver Award. Choosing Westford was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
RenellaLanessa Andrade
Extended Diploma in Strategic leadership and Management (EDSML) & Final year
MBA Student at CMU
About Pearson
Pearson has overseen BTEC qualifications for over 30 years and is recognised in over 70 countries. Employers know that a BTEC qualification will mean candidates are work-ready and have the knowledge, skills and the right attitude to contribute from day one in the workplace. Pearson’s practical and vocational BTEC qualifications continue to be respected as a valuable route straight into employment and are also accepted by all but one of Britain’s universities as a route into employment via higher education.
Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high-quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company.
Learn more at pearson.com/uk.
The final judging panel comprised of:
- Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, BTEC & Apprenticeships, Pearson
- Jane Baker, Vice-President, Higher Education Qualifications, Pearson
- Derek Richardson, Vice President and Senior Responsible Officer Quality Services & Governance, Pearson
- Claire Riddle, Vice-President, Marketing, BTEC & Apprenticeships, Pearson
- Shane Mann, Managing Director, LSECT
- Kasim Choudhry, Thinkfest National Director
