College of Life Sciences
MedRACE scoops prestigious Times Higher Education Award
Dr Kiran Bhavra, MedRACE Alumna and former co-chair
On the 13th November 2025, Dr Takunda Nhiwatiwa (MedRACE Co-Chair from 2020-2023), Dr Amardeep Sidki (MedRACE Co-Chair 2023-2025), Dr Kiran Bhavra (Co-Chair 2023-2024) and Gurdeep Panesar (MedRACE member and backbone 2020 – present day) took on Edinburgh to attend the Times Higher Education Awards Ceremony.
These awards recognise Higher Education institutions in the UK and Ireland who are going above and beyond to deliver innovative approaches and overcome challenges. We were so excited and honoured to be able to represent MedRACE and proudly raise awareness of all the amazing things we have done.
The night comprised of bubbly welcome drinks, a three course meal (which was very tasty) and entertainment in the form of Ed Byrne. With over 300 people there, the atmosphere was electrifying.
MedRACE were nominated for the category of ‘Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’. They played short clips of the shortlisted nominees and we knew very quickly that we had some tough competition. However, when they said our name and our University logo appeared on the screens… it was phenomenal.
The university worked with employers and the wider medical sector to develop and deliver a programme that will have a long-term, sustainable impact on students’ learning and career development. This is a great example of how the ordinary can be transformed into the extraordinary.
To be recognised for all the determination and hard work of the past five years in such a prestigious setting is wonderful. It emphasised how amazing each and every one of the MedRACE members are, and how with a shared purpose, we have, and will continue, to go on to transform medical education at a local and national level.
To make the evening even better, the University of Leicester went on to win ‘Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Project of the Year’ award and were shortlisted for ‘International Collaboration of the Year’. We truly were a winning table!
If you wanted to have a short insight into the evening, watch the THE video (and look out for us!).
Lastly, MedRACE is a beacon of hope and progress within EDI and we feel so proud that we have achieved the recognition this group truly deserves. Thank you to MedRACE and the University for this unforgettable night!
Read about MedRACE on the Times Higher Education Awards site.
January 2026
