Sheffield Hallam University has received Accreditation status from the Royal Society of Biology in recognition of its outstanding bioscience degree programmes.
Sheffield Hallam is one of 16 universities to be awarded Accreditation status this year, with three of its bioscience degree programmes being recognised.
An awards ceremony was held on the 27th April, on the Pavilion Terrace at the Houses of Parliament, celebrating the latest cohort of universities to receive Accreditation status from the Royal Society of Biology. Representatives from each institution attended the ceremony, which included academics, industry representatives, policymakers and graduates.
The RBS Accreditation programme recognises excellence in biosciences, by identifying degree programmes that offer a high standard of teaching, curriculum provision and practical skill set development, and which also enhance graduate employability skills.
Professor Susan Laird, head of the department of biosciences at Sheffield Hallam, said: “I am delighted that Sheffield Hallam’s bioscience programmes have been awarded Accreditation status. Graduates from accredited degree programmes are equipped with well-rounded knowledge and skill sets, making them highly employable both within and beyond their chosen field. Receiving accreditation status is a reflection of our commitment to delivering quality education and expanding opportunities for our students.”
Professor Dame Jean Thomas Hon FSB, president of the RSB, said: “We are delighted to announce that bioscience courses in 16 more institutions have been granted Accreditation status by the Royal Society of Biology. Accreditation recognises institutions that offer an outstanding bioscience education and equip their graduates with the skills needed to thrive in a global market”.
Hallam’s prostate cancer research forms new European guidelines
Research by Dr Liam Bourke explores whether exercise training could be used in treatment for prostate cancer, has been included in new guidelines released by the European Association of Urology (EAU). The research looked at complex interventions and lifestyle changes for improving cancer outcomes and has been working with experts across Europe to help improve the way health care professionals manage and treat prostate cancer.
The guidelines present evidence of best practice and Dr Bourke is the lead author of a chapter that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer across all stages of the disease.
“Quality of life, personalised care and getting the best outcome for cancer patients go hand in hand,” says Dr Bourke. “Treating prostate cancer can affect an individual both physically and mentally, as well as his family and his work or vocation. The EAU are to be congratulated at recognising this and dedicating a new chapter in the prostate cancer guidelines for evidence-based best practice.
“Prostate cancer care should not be reduced to focusing on the organ in isolation: side effects or late adverse effects of treatment can manifest systemically and have a major influence on the patient’s quality of life
“Taking quality of life into consideration relies on understanding the patient’s wishes and preferences so that optimal treatment proposals can be formulated and discussed. It takes a multi-disciplinary team of urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, oncology nurses and many others to provide holistic care and these guidelines have been designed to provide recommendations for supportive interventions to improve quality of life for patients with prostate cancer.”
Professor Dr Nicolas Mottet, chairman of the Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel, said: “The Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel fully recognises the importance of understanding patients’ wishes and has included patient representatives in their panel for several years now. Lead by Dr Liam Bourke, the panel reviewed the currently available data on patient reported outcomes and quality of life which we hope will provide a platform of understanding when discussing treatment options with patients and encourage further research.”
Dr Bourke works closely with clinical colleagues in urology and oncology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Sheffield to develop and evaluate the best new services for cancer patients. He currently leads Cancer Research UK’s ‘PANTERA‘ trial, which is testing whether exercise can have a positive impact on patients with early-stage prostate cancer, and the NIHR portfolio ‘COMRADE’ study which is investigating how to improve quality of life and survival in men with castrate resistant prostate cancer.
