Month: May 2025

Categories
Student Engagement

Morson Group Business in Focus day

On Thursday, 3rd April 2025, Morson Group, a longstanding supporter of both the University of Salford, and IntoUniversity Salford Central, hosted a dynamic ‘Business in Focus’ workshop on campus. This event brought together volunteers from Morson and a group of secondary students aged 13–15 for a day of immersive learning and professional development.

Throughout the day, students participated in a business simulation competition, working in teams to develop and present their ideas. The Morson volunteers served as team advisors and judges, offering guidance and feedback on the students work. The diverse range of volunteers—from graduate scheme participants to company directors—provided students with a really comprehensive view of career pathways.  

Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive. Students appreciated the supportive and approachable nature of the Morson team, and commented on how the volunteers helped them enhance their professionalism while ensuring the experience remained enjoyable. The opportunity to interact with professionals at various career stages was particularly impactful,  for our young people, and created an environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and honing their communication skills.

Students engaging at the Morson and IntoUniversity Business in Focus Day

Kay, IU Programmes Coordinator, said, “It was a pleasure to plan and lead the business simulation for our students. They really enjoyed the challenge, and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to engage directly with professionals. Experiences like this are invaluable for raising aspirations and building confidence. Thank you so much to Morson – you have truly made a difference to our students!”

This workshop is a great example of the mission of IntoUniversity, a charity dedicated to supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in achieving their educational and career aspirations. In the 2023/24 academic year, IntoUniversity supported over 56,000 students, with 58% of 2023 school leavers progressing to higher education—compared to 29% of students from similar backgrounds nationally. At the Salford Central centre, 66% of students progressed into higher education, significantly outperforming the local average of 20%. This year, IntoUniversity will be celebrating working with their 250,000th student!

We extend our thanks to Morson Group for their continued support and for providing such a meaningful experience for our students. Their commitment to empowering the next generation is truly making a difference.

Categories
Arts and Culture Uncategorized

Haworth Charitable Trust: Life Drawing Exhibition

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of welcoming back the trustees of the Haworth Charitable Trust, Rebecca and Sarah, to witness the Life Drawing exhibition. The exhibition is a culmination of the Life Drawing classes managed by the BA (Hons) Fine Art programme, and it is now in its tenth year. Thanks to the Haworth Trust, the school hosts a Life Class for 20 weeks each academic year on Wednesday afternoons, along with 10 specialists ‘Masterclasses’ held on alternate Wednesday mornings.

This year, the classes saw approximately 110 students from 10 programmes from the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies. Once again, the classes were taught by Manchester artist, Greg Fenwick. Greg is a terrific teacher, with lots of experience as an artist. His work is collected worldwide, and he regularly works with the BBC, Netflix and Amazon. The students always respond positively to Greg’s teaching and guidance.

Established by Jeremy Haworth in 1990, the Haworth Trust has been a vital source of financial support for young, talented individuals aspiring to careers in the arts, especially in painting and music. Jeremy Haworth’s vision was to create opportunities for emerging artists to develop their skills and gain exposure, and his legacy continues to inspire and support students today. Jeremy, was a close friend of the celebrated Salford-born artist, Harold Riley, and indeed he was called in to deliver a masterclass to our students in the early years. The exhibition was held once again in the New Adelphi building, the creative heart of the School of Art, Media, and Creative Technology and was a celebration of student talent and achievement, with prizes awarded to outstanding participants. This year’s exhibition was particularly significant as we celebrated a major milestone: the Haworth Charitable Trust’s very generous support has allowed us to support more than 1,500 students over the past decade, providing them with opportunities to advance their artistic careers.

‘The funding from Haworth Charitable Trust has improved my Fine Art practice tremendously! I have thoroughly enjoyed the Life Drawing classes and have really appreciated the paper and drawing tools provided; my favourite being the oil pastels. I also loved the life sculpture class and hope there will be more opportunities to participate in this class in the future. Thank you for making my degree experience amazing!’ said Gracie, a participant in the programme.

The exhibition featured a variety of impressive works, showcasing the diverse talents of the students. Highlights included, Hoi Yan Pang, Greg says they were a standout student, consistently attending the session throughout the year, sometimes attending both morning and afternoon sessions. They demonstrated a high level of engagement and dedication to the classes the supportive environment created. Additionally, Robert McLeod – who won a Highly Commended prize both last year and this year, has just been filmed for Sky Art Portrait Artist of the Year. The episode has been filmed and will be out later in 2025.

Art by Robert McLeod

Dr. Angela Tait, Academic Fellow for Fine Art, says, ‘My favourite addition to the programme is the life sculpture classes. To offer that to students is quite an undertaking. It’s expensive and messy and needs extra preparation, materials and planning. It was hard work, but totally worth it to give the students that additional experience.’

Overall, the event was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students and the unwavering support of the Haworth Charitable Trust. We look forward to many more years of collaboration and artistic excellence.

Winners of the Life Drawing Exhibition, with the trustees from Haworth Charitable Trust

Categories
Students and Scholarships

Scholar Spotlight: Matt

Matt Holmes, Scholar, Research Assistant

My name is Matt, and I studied Environmental Management. I’m now pursuing a Masters in Sustainability at Salford, supported by the Farrat scholarship. My journey with the University of Salford began during my undergraduate years, and it was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. The campus, with its amazing greenery and welcoming atmosphere, felt like a second home. The friendly staff and fellow students created a supportive environment that made my time here truly special.

When it came time to choose a university for my master’s degree, the decision was clear. Returning to Salford meant reconnecting with familiar lecturers and forging new relationships with those I hadn’t yet met. The wealth of opportunities available, coupled with the flexibility in assignment briefs that allow students to explore topics of personal interest, made Salford the obvious choice for continuing my academic journey.

I caught up with the Philanthropy team to discuss the impact of my donor-funded scholarship which is helping me to gain my postgraduate degree.

Why did you apply for a donor-funded Scholarship?

Financial constraints have always been a part of my life. Since the age of 16, I’ve been working to support myself and my family. Despite saving diligently over the past year to afford my return to university, the budget remained tight. The donor-funded scholarship offered not just financial relief but also the chance to connect with a company in a field my own. This opportunity to build further links was an added attraction that made applying for the scholarship a no-brainer.

How has the Scholarship impacted your time at Salford?

The scholarship has had a profound impact on my time at the University of Salford, extending far beyond financial support. It has opened doors to networking opportunities that I hadn’t anticipated. Motivated by these new connections, I created a LinkedIn profile, which has become a valuable tool for sharing relevant news and updates about my course. This platform has helped me stay connected with industry professionals and peers.

Financially, the scholarship has provided much-needed relief, allowing me to focus more on my studies without the constant worry about expenses. This shift in focus has been instrumental in my academic success.

The scholarship has also been a catalyst for my personal development, instilling a newfound confidence that has helped me to pursue my goals despite any lingering self-doubt. The support and opportunities from the University, combined with the scholarship, have created an environment where I can thrive academically and personally.

My time at the University of Salford has been one of growth, opportunity, and the support. The donor-funded scholarship has played a crucial role in shaping my experience, allowing me to focus on my studies and build valuable connections that will benefit me long after graduation.