School secures its status as one of the best

12/02/03

School secures its status as one of the best

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has renewed Kingston's rating as a Centre of Excellence, making the University one of only 10 in Britain to hold the coveted title. The sought-after seal of approval, first awarded to the University's predecessor Kingston Polytechnic in 1986, will be valid for five years.

CIPD Membership and Education Director Judy Whittaker said the University's School of Human Resource Management had been assessed on a set of strict criteria. It had to prove its long-term commitment to meeting the Institute's objectives, enhancing industry links and sharing information with practitioners. "We were very impressed by the postgraduate research carried out and the high quality of teaching we observed," Judy said. "The School also has excellent industry contacts and a strong commitment to the human resources profession."

Principal Lecturer and Postgraduate Course Director Lesley Smith said the accreditation would ensure Kingston continued to attract high calibre students. "The award is the result of a stringent review by our peers and confirms our reputation as one of the leading course providers in this field," she said. The Head of Kingston's School of Human Resource Management, Professor Christine Edwards, attributed the Centre of Excellence rating to the expertise, hard work and enthusiasm of her staff. "We now have a continuing opportunity to contribute to the profession which we will seize with enthusiasm," she said.

The CIPD has also recently accredited the University's new Postgraduate Diploma and MA course in Human Resource Management.

Bridge - The Kingston University magazine
February 2003