SoSS student recognised at Volunteer of the Year Awards

18 May 2026

PGT student Vuyo Dube was awarded with the ‘Students Helping Students’ award at this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The University’s annual Volunteer of the Year Awards took place in Whitworth Hall on Tuesday, 5 May, celebrating the incredible work and effort of students who have taken part in volunteering and peer support schemes over the past year.

The winners and nominees have contributed countless hours to their extracurricular activities, whether that be by volunteering in their community or overseas, advocating for sustainability, or devoting their time and effort into helping fellow students to succeed.

Postgraduate taught (PGT) student in SoSS, Vuyo Dube, was recognised with a win in the ‘Students Helping Students’ category for his work founding the Manchester European Society in response to the fractured European student landscape in Manchester following Brexit and Covid-19. Demonstrating exceptional leadership and initiative, he transformed what began as a single-university group into a cross-university society in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, rebuilding connections among European and international students across the city.

Vuyo established formal collaboration with the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, providing students with access to academic expertise, policy discussions and opportunities. He has also built an ongoing partnership with the Manchester Consular Association, opening rare pathways for students to engage directly with diplomats and diplomatic missions. Alongside these institutional links, Vuyo has developed an extensive programme of events designed to foster cultural exchange and community cohesion.

Reflecting on his win, Vuyo said: “Winning the Volunteer of the Year Award has made me feel incredibly grateful and proud of everything that my society has achieved this year. The society has grown into a community with a place for every student. We have connected campus life with diplomacy, created an inclusive space for international students, and built valuable academic partnerships. It has been a truly transformative year, and hopefully there are many more to come!”

Watch this video to find out more about Vuyo’s project:

Congratulations to Vuyo and all other winners and highly commended nominees across the Faculty and University!