RDCS wins VISTAs Community Impact Award 2026
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Published
30 June 2026
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The University of East London's (UEL) Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS) has won the inaugural Community Impact in Education Award at the 2026 Vocational Innovation in Skills Training Awards (VISTAs).
Presented at the House of Lords, the award recognises organisations that are transforming lives through education, skills development and community engagement across the Local London region.
The award acknowledges RDCS's innovative place-based model, which brings together students, employers, community organisations and residents to create opportunities for learning, enterprise and social impact.
Through initiatives including the STEAM Community Support Centre, TerraDock, Maker Club, Rix Inclusive Research and café, the RDCS is helping to build pathways into employment, support local businesses and strengthen community capacity across east London.
The judges highlighted the centre’s commitment to inclusive growth, practical learning and partnership working. By connecting education with real-world challenges and opportunities, the RDCS is helping ensure local communities can actively participate in and benefit from the transformation of the Royal Docks and wider east London.
This work directly supports UEL’s Vision 2028, which sets out a strategy for sustainable growth and diversification, strengthening institutional resilience, expanding opportunity, and embedding global priorities such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions into all areas of university life.
Robert De Jong, Director of the RDCS, said,
I am incredibly proud that RDCS has been awarded the inaugural Community Impact in Education Award at the VISTAs 2026. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of staff, students, partners and community members, and our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive, place-based model of education that delivers real social and community impact. Above all, it highlights the power of purpose driven partnerships.”