Salford Giving

Founded in 2001, Gamma Telecoms Plc, also known as Gamma Communications, is a UK-based telecommunications company. They provide a wide range of communication services and have become a leading provider in the UK specifically for businesses.

In 2024, Gamma generously elected to set up a new scholarship programme, to support two new undergraduate scholarships. Each scholarship provides students with £10,000 over three years of study, showcasing Gamma’s dedication to supporting education and enriching the lives of our students. Philanthropy scholarships are more than just a cash award for our students; it’s a moment of recognition and a testament to our belief in their abilities and potential.

Earlier this year, Chris Smith, the ESG Programme Manager at Gamma, had the opportunity to meet the scholarship recipients, Jess and Ahmed. After a whistle stop tour of the campus, both students took the lead in showcasing the state-of-the-art SEE Building, which is the School of Science Engineering and Environment’s new home for innovation and discovery. They provided an insightful tour, highlighting the various laboratories, collaborative workspaces and industry leading features the building has to offer.

Chris said: ‘It was fantastic to meet our scholars, Jess and Ahmed this week and seeing what enthusiasm and commitment they have to their subjects. Talking with them about their studies and walking on ‘their patch’ on campus brings the whole partnership to life in such an authentic way. I can’t wait to hear how they are getting on over the next 3-4 years and feel very privileged on behalf of Gamma to be their interface with our business.’

Ahmed, a first year Computer Science with Cyber Security student, said, ‘I’m grateful for Gamma’s support through this scholarship and the potential opportunities that it will bring to help shape my future. Meeting Chris from Gamma reinforced how valuable this scholarship is, and I’m excited to see where it leads.’

Jess is a first year Physics student and is excited for the opportunities the scholarships will provide, saying, ‘I am grateful for such a wonderful opportunity, and the amount of overwhelming support I’ve received from this scholarship. I now have access to resources that enrich my education which wasn’t possible without my scholarship, as well as the chance to make the most of my time as a university student. I’m forever thankful to Gamma and the scholarship programme for everything they have done for me.’

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Gamma for their support of the university and our students. Your generosity is profoundly impacting our scholars, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth throughout their academic journeys.

The University recently concluded its annual ‘HackCamp’ event, an intensive three-week software development project, which is a key part of the curriculum for second-year Computer Science, Software Engineering and Cyber Security students. This year’s HackCamp saw over 150 students work in small groups to tackle real-world challenges, including dynamic user experience, customer feedback aggregation, and placement search solutions. We rounded this programme off with a showcase event in January, where students presented their solutions to both the academics and their industry partners.

The HackCamp model is designed to simulate a professional project environment, with students employing agile software development methods. They engage in multiple development iterations, each ending with a demonstration of working software to their ‘’clients’ (industry partner). ‘Clients’ provide feedback at the end of each iteration to guide the students. This approach integrates skills and knowledge from across the computing syllabus, and also provides students with invaluable experience working with external companies.

This year several of the university’s scholarship donors engaged with this programme, including representatives from Morson Group and IRIS Software Group. The continued support from these industry partners plays a crucial role in the success of HackCamp, providing students with opportunities to work on live briefs and gain insights into current industry practices. In addition, the latest innovation is that MSc Software Engineering students who learn about Agile Coaching, get the unique opportunity to coach our undergraduate HackCamp teams. This is helping students deliver even better solutions to our industry partners.

Other industry partners involved in this project include; ABL, Bureauveritas, BCS, Chippy Digital, Competa, and Naimuri.

Julian Bass, Professor of Software Engineering, said “Our latest innovation is that MSc Software Engineering students, who learn about Agile Coaching, get the unique opportunity to coach our undergraduate HackCamp teams. This is helping students deliver even better solutions to our industry partners.”

Reflecting on the event, Gloria Iyawa, Senior Lecturer of Software Engineering at the University of Salford, stated, “We are proud of the reputation we have gained with industry in the area of Computer Science through HackCamp and our empirical software engineering research. Our industry partners play a vital role in helping us deliver high calibre programmes.” 

HackCamp continues to be a cornerstone of the University of Salford’s commitment to providing industry-relevant education, equipping students with the skills and experiences necessary to excel in their future careers.

At the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies (SAMCT), the legacy of a former colleague, Colin Lloyd, continues to inspire creativity. Colin was a beloved friend and colleague, who worked at the University on the BA (Hons) Visual Arts programme from 2008 to 2016. His passing in 2021 was a huge loss, but his impact remains.

The programme leader for Fine Art, Brendan Fletcher, has said: ‘We are thrilled that we’re able to remember and commemorate the contribution of Colin Lloyd to the development and the health of the Fine Art programme here at the SAMCT.  Veronica and Dave Russell’s generation donation has allowed us to create a lasting memory and testament to his work and his activism which directly supports and benefits our students’.

Their support has included not only financial assistance but also guest lectures, materials and workshops. Most recently, the school welcomed Marlene Smith, one of the founding members of the BLK Art Group, to deliver the Colin Lloyd Memorial Lecture. Funded by the Veronica & Dave bursary scheme, this special lecture brought nearly 100 staff and students together.

Veronica and Dave tell us that they are delighted by the impact of the first year of the bursary scheme. ‘The students receiving support are clearly making excellent use of it, especially in terms of buying materials and equipment which are allowing them to demonstrate their talents to the full: their commitment and enthusiasm is obvious. Marlene Smith’s lecture, which we enjoyed tremendously, clearly inspired the students present and elicited really interesting questions from them. We are already looking forward to the degree shows.’

Through their generosity, Veronica and Dave have not only honoured Colin’s memory but have also ensured that his passion for supporting young artists lives on. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and look forward to seeing the impact it will continue to create.

You can read more about Colin’s remarkable life and contributions in this touching Guardian obituary.

The Progression Project has been a resounding success, offering students the opportunity to explore creativity, build confidence and develop meaningful connections. Through a series of workshops, participants not only gained new skills but also laid the foundation for a group exhibition at New Adelphi.

The workshops were designed to achieve three core goals:

Build confidence – Encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, engage with peers and experiment with new techniques.

Build a community – Create a welcoming environment where students could form friendships and connect across levels of study.

Introduce workshop spaces – Familiarise students with studio and print room environments, enabling them to navigate these resources independently.

The workshops were particularly well-attended by Level 4 Fine Art students and participants fully embraced the creative process. Working within both their own studios and New Adelphi’s print room, students explored diverse techniques such as:

• Collage
• Monoprint
• Cyanotypes
• Dry-point prints
• A collaborative cross-level final piece

Some students produced as many as three prints during the brief sessions, a remarkable achievement showcasing their enthusiasm and talent.

The project also offered leadership opportunities to Level 6 Fine Art students, with two employed as Workshop Assistants and a third hired to support exhibition setup. These roles provided invaluable experience and enhanced cross-level collaboration, as Foundation Year and Level 4 students benefitted from the guidance of their senior peers.

The highlight of this initiative was witnessing the transformation of students who built connections, who initially struggled with confidence, health or mental health challenges. A Student Progression Adviser (SPA), said, ‘I had the privilege of building stronger relationships with the students. Many opened about challenges they were facing, and we were able to connect them with the university’s Disability and Wellbeing Teams for further assistance.’  For many, these workshops became a turning point, enabling them to submit work for their Trimester 1 modules and take pride in their accomplishments.

The upcoming exhibition in January 2025 will be another milestone for these students. The opening event will invite external guests, further boosting their confidence and visibility as emerging artists.

The Progression Project’s success highlights opportunities for refinement and expansion:

• Increased focus on engaging Foundation Year students in future iterations
• Exploration of how small, informal groups support student learning and retention
• Ongoing monitoring to evaluate long-term impacts on student success

The findings will be shared at Congress within the school, sparking conversations about how similar initiatives could benefit other programmes.

This project would not have been possible without the funding and support provided by our generous supporters. It has been an incredible journey to see students create meaningful work, forge connections and gain confidence. As the January 2025 exhibition approaches, we look forward to celebrating their achievements and the community we’ve built together.

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of John Galloway, co-founder of Speed of Sight, who recently received an Honorary Degree from the University of Salford in July 2024. This recognition is a testament to John’s relentless dedication to empowering individuals with disabilities, allowing them to experience the thrill of driving, through the charity he founded with Mike Newman in 2012. 

Speed of Sight, inspired by Mike’s journey as a blind racing driver, has become a beacon of hope and joy for countless individuals who, due to medical reasons, will never be able to drive legally on public roads. With seven specially designed vehicles, including four racing cars and three all-terrain buggies, Speed of Sight offers exhilarating driving experiences nationwide, making a real difference in the lives of those they support. 

“The University of Salford has been a great supporter helping with placements, volunteers, fundraising, and projects,” John said in his graduation speech, acknowledging the role the university has played in the charity’s success. This support, coupled with the dedication of numerous volunteers and corporate partners, has been instrumental in enabling Speed of Sight to continue its mission. 

On the 12th of August, Speed of Sight hosted a track day at the Three Sisters Circuit, one of the UK’s most versatile race circuits. The event, sponsored by Simple Life, part of the Sigma Capital Group, saw participants, volunteers, and supporters come together to create an atmosphere of excitement, and joy.  

A particular highlight was the incredible achievement of young fundraiser Hannah Bevan, who, with support from ESG Director Niamh Waldron, raised over £1,000 through a sponsored blindfold walk—far exceeding her initial target of £400. The day also featured fun activities organized by the fantastic charity Whizz Kidz, adding even more joy to the event 

As John Galloway reflected, these experiences are about more than just driving; they are about accessing outdoor activities, promoting social interaction, and inclusion. This sentiment was echoed throughout the day, as repeat participants and new faces alike shared in the joy and excitement that Speed of Sight provides. 

As we celebrate John’s well-deserved honorary degree, we also celebrate the impact of Speed of Sight—a charity that continues to change lives, one exciting drive at a time!