Students from Salford Business School recently took part in a new networking session with members of the school’s Industry Advisory Board, designed to strengthen engagement between learners and senior leaders from across the business community.
The event brought together seven student representatives from a range of programmes across Salford Business School with four board members, offering a space for open discussion, professional advice and future collaboration.
Led by Professor Vish Maheshwari, Associate Dean Academic – Student Experience, and Charlie Seager, School Lead for Student Experience and Engagement, the session enabled students to present their personal and community goals, ranging from building a professional identity to increasing practice-based applied, real-life, experience and enhancing peer-to-peer support networks.
Student representatives included Halimah Natha, Iffat Ara Rahman, Al-Ameen Oyedeji, Elliott Doohan, Aimen Younis and Huda Agham, who each contributed thoughtful reflections and ideas during the discussion.
Professor Vish Maheshwari said: “Bringing our Industry Advisory Board together with our student representatives was a vital opportunity to create an open, two-way conversation. Our students are ambitious and forward-looking, and hearing their goals directly not only helps shape the support we provide but also strengthens the bridge between education and industry. This is just the beginning of a longer relationship, and I’m delighted that the board is committed to continuing the dialogue, mentoring and guidance for our students.”
Board members in attendance included:
- Kai Ojo, Chair of the Board, UK Managing Director at Planisware and Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the Manchester Publicity Association (MPA)
- Tim Griggs, Director at Arup and Global Digital Skills Lead
- Marie Hamilton, Government Strategic Partnership Director for Microsoft
- Helen McHugh, Founder & Director at Marsden Strategy
The conversation centred on the students’ ambitions, personal and professional aspirations, and the ways in which industry leaders could offer guidance, insight and mentoring. Themes included networking with authenticity, the importance of professional character and behaviour, gaining practical experience alongside study, and the value of using platforms such as LinkedIn to amplify student voices. Board members also shared their own career journeys and encouraged students to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, build confidence in new spaces and engage with the wider business ecosystem across Greater Manchester and further afield.
Aimen Younis, Level 6 Law student, said: “The Industry Advisory Board meeting proved to be profoundly effective, fostering insightful dialogue and strategic alignment between academia and industry imperatives. I found the session immensely valuable, gaining nuanced insights into emerging industry expectations and the evolving role of technology in shaping professional standards.
“My proposal, centred on bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and professional practice, was received as a forward-thinking initiative poised to harmonise technological innovation with real-world professional excellence.”
The session marked the start of a sustained connection between the IAB and the student community, with plans to continue conversations beyond the meeting and explore opportunities for mentoring, shadowing and industry collaboration. Board members expressed a desire to stay connected and to support the professional growth of the University of Salford students as they prepare to enter a rapidly evolving world of work.
