Goodenough crowned international ‘Accommodation Provider of the Year’

Caroline Persaud, College Registrar accepted the prize on behalf of the College, in a pre-recorded message broadcast during the virtual Awards ceremony.

Launched in 2017, The PIEoneer Awards are the only global awards highlighting innovation and achievement across the international education industry. The College was shortlisted for the award against stiff competition, including International Student House of Washington, USA, and MyStay International in Australia, both of which were Highly Commended by the judging panel.

Rebecca Matthews, Director of the College, said: “All the 2020 PIEoneer Awards finalists have demonstrated that they are champions of the international education industry. As a small, independent educational charity, Goodenough College is honoured to be part of such an exceptional community.

“In a normal year, Goodenough is home to around 700 postgraduate student Members and their families from over 70 countries. We work hard to foster mutual respect and an appreciation of global citizenship and social responsibility amongst our Members, who come from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds.

“It means so much to us to get this recognition, for our work in 2019/20 and at the start of the pandemic. With the arrival of COVID-19 we stepped up our efforts to ensure that our Members had a warm and welcoming home from home and the pastoral care they needed to feel safe and secure and to be able to continue their studies. It’s been a team effort with staff and Members working together to keep everyone safe.

“To be identified by The PIE as the best accommodation providers of the year is a great endorsement of the College’s work over the last 90 years and of our role in helping some of the world’s most talented postgraduate students to achieve their potential.

“I was delighted to see Claire Seaborn, one of our Alumna, shortlisted in the International Alumni of the Year award. Claire is one of many exceptional young people who have played an active role in making the College such a vibrant, socially and intellectually stimulating community.”

Claire Seaborn, a recent Alumna who is now a senior policy and legal advisor at the Government of Canada, adds: “I am grateful for my experience at Goodenough, to have been nominated for the Award, and to have had the opportunity to virtually meet the other award finalists. Goodenough provided me with an open and nurturing environment which helped me explore my academic, professional and personal interests at a key stage in my career.”

The winners of the PIEoneer Awards (in each of 18 categories), were selected by a distinguished panel of 38 international education specialists. Information on the winners, the shortlisted organisations and the Award sponsors can be found on the PIEoneer Awards website.