24 November 2010

National award for Dundee mentoring scheme

Peer Connections, a pioneering University of Dundee mentoring scheme, has been recognised with a national award.

The University's welcoming, buddying, and mentoring initiative was named ‘Education Project of the Year’ by the Scottish Mentoring Network during its annual conference and awards event.

Representatives of the University attended the event, which was held in Edinburgh recently, to accept the prize. The award was one of several presented to organisations involved in mentoring across several sectors in Scotland.

Peer Connections volunteer Melissa Moyes, a 4th year medical student, was also recognised for her contribution and received a Highly Commended Mentor Certificate.

Joan Muszynski, Peer Connections Co-ordinator, said, 'I am delighted that the Scottish Mentoring Network has honoured us with their Education Project of the Year award.

'It is testament to the dedication and hard work of the student volunteers within Peer Connections, and I am pleased that we have been recognised as a leading light in mentoring within education. I am also happy to see Melissa Moyes recognised by the Scottish Mentor Network as she has been a fantastic volunteer for the University.'

Peer Connections has been offering buddying and mentoring services to new and existing students since 2004. Student volunteers are trained to act as mentors to their peers, and help them meet whatever challenges they may be encountering.

In July 2007, it was awarded the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation’s Approved Provider status at best practice level, and is now included in the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) international benchmarking scheme. Peer Connections has a regular pool of 50 trained volunteers from across the University.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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