De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester was recognised for not one but two digital innovations within the higher education sector at a national awards ceremony in Leeds.
Organised by Havas People and hosted by comedian Maisie Adam, the Heist Awards showcase some of the most creative and ambitious marketing, student recruitment and communication campaigns across the higher education sector.
A Havas People representative with David Watts, Andrew Durnin and Rebecca Cooke-Pytel from DMU and host Maisie Adam
DMU picked up the silver award in the Best Student or Alumni Engagement Initiative category for the development of its student app, MyDMU, and the Bronze award in the Innovative Use of Technology later in the night for the university’s 8-bit retro video game, DMUniverse.
Developed by the university in partnership with Agile Professional Group, the app was relaunched in September 2025 and enables students to receive up-to-date timetable information, news and access to key services including maps, library services and the university’s virtual learning environment.
Andrew Durnin, Associate Director of Web and Digital Experience, said: “It's great to be recognised for the digital work and innovation that's going on at DMU, as we've really come a long way over the past couple of years.
“These two awards represent digital products that required numerous stakeholders to bring to life, from external partners and internal teams, to our students - making sure our digital offering helps to improve the experience of studying at DMU.”
Created in the style of a retro arcade game, DMUniverse allows players to explore DMU’s city-centre campus and interact with many of the university’s real-life buildings, including the Grade II-listed Queens Building, and Vijay Patel Building.
It was designed to give students a glimpse into what life at the university might be like and is free to play on DMU’s website.
Sat Dhanjal from Agile Professional with Andrew Durnin, Reecca Cooke-Pytel, Elisabeth Clarke, Matthew Millwood and David Watts
Secondary school children across Leicestershire had been invited to play the game as part of the university’s work with schools, after Research has shown that video games may improve young people’s cognitive skills, social skills and improve their understanding of the world.
It’s not the first time that DMU’s campus has been recreated in a video game. Alumnus, Eden Turner, recreated the university’s Kimberlin Library in Minecraft to help autistic students settle into student life and provide a place for people to meet up and make friends while playing the game.
Speaking about the achievement of DMUniverse, Praneal Mistry, Widening Participation Assistant at DMU, said: “The DMUniverse game has provided the learners we work with a chance to explore the DMU campus and learn about university life.
“The game has been a great way to introduce university to people as young as 10 years old, and has allowed them to feel confident about exploring university in real life. It continues to be a brilliant resource for the widening participation and outreach work our team does.”
Posted on Wednesday 15 July 2026