The Dean of the Business School Dr Sonal Minocha has wowed the Asian community to win the Academic of the Year accolade, at the Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards.
Dr Minocha was presented with the prestigious award at a gala ceremony at the House of Commons by Chuka Umunna Labour MP for Streatham and Shadow Secretary of State for Business, and the magazine’s publisher CB Patel.
Winners of other categories of the awards included Theresa May, Cabinet Minister of the Year; steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, Changing the Face of Britain; TalkSport radio presenter James Whale, Broadcaster of the Year; and singer-songwriter Navin Kundera, Entertainer of the Year.
Baroness Betty Boothroyd was guest of honour.
Since arriving at the University last January Dr Minocha has championed the innovation of business education with projects including Leadership Futures lectures – a programme of providing imaginative and practice based management education. Speakers have included Kasim Reed who talked of his journey from aspirational 13-year-old to the 59th Mayor of Atlanta - the capital of civil and human rights movements in America.
Dr Minocha said: “It’s great to have the University of Bedfordshire recognised in the Asian community via this award.
A number of innovative schemes have been introduced in the Business School which will benefit our students and will be models for business and management in the future. I’m encouraged that Asian Voice has recognised that.”
Dr Minocha said not many women went into business teaching traditionally and she hoped the award would encourage more women to do so.
“Being an academic is very rewarding, especially in a business school environment,” she said.
“You have the opportunity to nurture talent and business leaders of the future. It is a very rewarding job.”
Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire Bill Rammell said: “Sonal has made huge strides in her effort to inspire and nurture future industry leaders at our Business School. I’m delighted that her contribution to business leadership and education has been recognised by the Asian community.”
Last year Dr Minocha was shortlisted for the Woman of the Year category for the 2012 Asian Achievers’ Awards.
