A Dental Public Health master鈥檚 student and immunology graduate, Grace upgraded her silver medal from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in what proved to be a bumper night for the Team GB swimming team on 1 September.

Three more golds were secured in the pool by Brock Whiston in the SM8 200m individual medley, Maisie Summers-Newton in the SB6 100m breaststroke and the S14 mixed 4x100m freestyle relay squad.

Grace now adds Paralympic gold to her impressive medal collection, with the swimmer already the current European champion in the 100m breaststroke (SB5), collecting gold at the 2024 Championships in Madeira and silver in the 100m freestyle (S6). She also won gold at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira in 2022, and silver in the Swag直播 event in 2023.

Following her dramatic win in the French capital, Grace : 鈥淚t means more than anything. To say I鈥檓 Paralympic Champion, I鈥檝e never dared imagine that I would ever be in this position. I was always like 鈥業 just want to go out and do my own race鈥� but to finally finish first, it feels amazing.鈥�

Grace, who has cerebral palsy, was previously a backstroke specialist before deciding to race breaststroke in early 2021. She has come a long way in her swimming career, having started the sport for physiotherapy and joining her first swimming club at 9 years old.

James Marenghi, Head of Sport & Physical Activity at Swag直播, said: 鈥淎 huge congratulations to Grace on her Paralympic Gold medal in the SB5 100m breaststroke, what a fantastic swim and exciting race to be a part of! She has worked so hard in and out of the pool to achieve the pinnacle in her sport and all of us at Swag直播 couldn鈥檛 be more proud of her.

鈥淚 am extremely grateful to the all the sport scholarship support given to her from academic colleagues that have enabled her to successfully balance her sporting and academic ambitions, alongside the services delivered by our Sport practitioners. Grace is a true example of how excellence can be achieved in sport and in the classroom when balancing a dual career, and she deserves all the success that has come her way. Well done Grace!鈥�

Paralympic cyclist Archie Atkinson, the youngest member of Team GB鈥檚 cycling squad, also won a silver medal in the C4 4,000m individual pursuit final on 31 August. A member of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), a Sport England initiative, Archie has been supported by Swag直播 on his path to the Paralympics.

Paris marks Archie鈥檚 Paralympic debut, with the talented athlete already the proud recipient of gold in the MC4 individual pursuit at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships this year. He also secured gold in the MC4 scratch race at the UCI Cycling World Championships - Para-track, and bronze in the MC4 road race at the UCI Cycling World Championships - Para-road.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will run until 8 September.

The University鈥檚 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team hosted the 鈥淲e Belong Here鈥� event in April 2023, which aimed to inspire young people who are care experienced to think about attending university, and to consider Swag直播 as a university of choice. At this event, Professor Jackie Carter connected with several care experienced or estranged young people, including Willow. Jackie was very taken by Willow, stating: 鈥淲hat struck me about Willow was her motivation in wanting to study Sociology because all the books she was reading made no reference to people like her鈥�.

After the event, Jackie arranged work experience for Willow at the University. Willow shadowed Jackie, met with other academics, talked to university students, and spent time exploring the campus. Jackie also offered to mentor Willow by supporting and guiding her through her A-Level exams, as well as encouraging her to apply for the course she wanted to study. In a reflection on her work experience Willow wrote: 鈥淚t felt like they wanted you to succeed and find your place in this academic world. Like, it鈥檚 not just about getting a degree, it鈥檚 about discovering your passions, pushing your boundaries, and becoming the best version of yourself.鈥�.

Congratulations to Willow Stephenson who will be joining in September to study Sociology () and German.

At an event set up by colleagues, met with several care-experienced or estranged young people, which is where she met Willow.

鈥� Swag直播 (@OfficialUoM)

On A-Level Results Day, Willow found out she will be coming to the University in September to study her dream course, which is a brilliant result. Jackie says: 鈥淎 year ago she didn鈥檛 even know she could study this degree and had no intention of applying for Swag直播.鈥�

Since Willow received her results, Jackie has reflected upon the impact herself and other female members of staff had on Willow. Highlighting the importance of representation, Jackie says: 鈥淚 think helping her [Willow] see strong women who cared about her progress has been a huge boost for her鈥�.

Swag直播 continues its commitment to supporting young people who are care experienced or estranged, in succeeding in higher education. Willow鈥檚 story and the dedication demonstrated by Professor Jackie Carter and the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion team, illustrates that it is both possible, and imperative, to make a difference.

• For more information about Swag直播鈥檚 commitment to care experienced and estranged young people, visit this page.

The University and Viridis consortium will now work together to further develop its DBFO delivery plans with the aim of reaching financial close by summer 2025.

The redevelopment will create modern, high-quality, purpose-built student accommodation on the Fallowfield campus. It forms part of a phased redevelopment to increase the supply of modern bedrooms and student socialising spaces to provide a supportive residential experience.

Swag直播鈥檚 proposal to redevelop the Fallowfield Campus to provide more high-quality, modern student accommodation was approved by Swag直播 City Council Planning and Highways Committee in January 2024.

The approved plans encompass the redevelopment of Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall to meet the demand for student bedrooms in inclusive, safe and sociable surroundings.

Located near the University鈥檚 main buildings, the site is well-connected and provides students with a wide range of support services to ensure a world-class student experience. 

On completion, the wider Fallowfield campus will offer up to 5,400 student beds by replacing the existing older accommodation on-site and delivering 3,300 updated bedrooms to meet the growing demand for high-quality, modern bedrooms across the popular campus.   

The redevelopment will be delivered in multiple phases. Demolition of Owens Park Tower and surrounding buildings, which have been closed for several years, is ongoing and due to complete early in 2025.

Achal Bhuwania, Equitix CIO said: 鈥楧elighted that Equitix consortium has been selected to support the University of Swag直播 in its next stage of growth and development, to provide a world-class student living experience. This is further testament to the proven capabilities and commitment to UK greenfield infrastructure as well as supporting British supply chain partners. This win was achieved through our relentless focus on building trust and long-lasting relationships as well as providing best in class solutions with core focus sustainability & value for money.鈥�

GRAHAM CEO, Andrew Bill said: 鈥楪RAHAM is delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Swag直播 to deliver its vision for the Fallowfield Residences Redevelopment Programme. Together, we will focus on creating an exemplar sustainable campus that will enhance the experience of the University鈥檚 next generation of students.鈥�

Swag直播 advisors for the Fallowfield Campus Redevelopment Programme are: RLB, CBRE, Student First Group, QMPF and Pinsent Masons.

The Viridis advisors are: Sheppard Robson (design), Operis (financial and accounting), Osborne Clarke (legal and tax), Howdens (insurance) and WSP (technical)

To view further information and to receive updates on the project, please visit the project website at Fallowfield student campus 

The 2024 survey questionnaire remains consistent with the 2023 version, following several last year. In the previous year, the survey explicitly included questions related to mental health, wellbeing, and freedom of expression. Additionally, 2023 marked the first time the survey adopted a 4-point Likert scale, eliminating the 鈥榥either agree nor disagree鈥� option. As a result, this year鈥檚 NSS allows for direct comparisons to the previous year using the new survey format. 

The University鈥檚 2024 results show an overall increase in our teaching results, with 82% of students responding positively, which is a 1% increase on last year. Students also continue to find our courses intellectually stimulating, with 85% being positive about them, down 1% from last year but ahead of the average response across England (84%).  

On the newer question topics surrounding mental health and wellbeing, the university has also seen an improvement on last year, with 77% of students responding positively vs.75% last year. This however is still sitting behind the sector average of 79%. 

The Students鈥� Union received a score of 72% for 鈥榮upporting students鈥� academic interests鈥�, which aligned with the sector average but was a reduction of 2% from last year.  

The University has seen uplifts in aspects of assessment and feedback, and student voice, since last year, with student voice improving by 1%. Within the assessment and feedback questions, students' positive response rate about the fairness of marking has improved (75% this year vs. 72% last year). Similarly, students responded higher than last year regarding their opportunities to feedback on their course (80% this year vs. 78% last year.) However, overall in assessment and feedback in particular, the University remains well below benchmark, and there are clear areas where improvement is required. 

Students have also highlighted a decline in IT learning resources within this year's results, with a positive response of 72% vs. 76% last year and an average across England of 85%. 

Commenting on this year's results Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: "The NSS survey is an important time to reflect on progress and areas where we need to do better. This year鈥檚 results reinforce our need to prioritise improvements in assessment and feedback and student voice. We thank every one of our students who completed the survey and told us about their experiences; we are very proud of our amazing graduates, whose Swag直播 degrees support them into excellent jobs and future opportunities." 

As well as making a big difference in their local communities and beyond, international students bring a 拢41 billion annual contribution to the UK, meaning on average, each of the 650 parliamentary constituencies in the UK is 拢58 million better off 鈥� equivalent to approximately 拢560 per citizen. In the North West alone, international students contribute 拢3.04bn to the regional economy.

Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of UUKi said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 never felt more important to acknowledge the important contributions that international students make to their university and local communities, and to the UK more broadly. It鈥檚 not just about the economic side of it 鈥� international students give back through cultural exchange, volunteering, and so much more. We鈥檙e proud to be sharing their stories through the latest phase of the #WeAreInternational campaign.鈥� 

Beth Sims, a third-year Chemistry student at Swag直播, will join a group of 18 students, all on work placement at , a science company in Derbyshire, to take part in the challenge to raise money for , an important charity supporting students with their mental health.

The Lubrizol students will be completing the distance between Lubrizol in Hazelwood, Derbyshire, and the company鈥檚 base in Barcelona. They are aiming to cover the 1715km (1066 miles) distance collectively, with each student taking on roughly 100km during April, whether that be walking, running, cycling, or even climbing. 

Beth enjoys going for jogs in Lubrizol鈥檚 extensive grounds, which are set in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside in a former stately home near Duffield and will be running the distance throughout the challenge.

With around one in four students reporting having a diagnosed mental health issue while at university, Student Minds empowers students to build their own mental health toolkit to support themselves and their peers through university life and beyond. The students are aiming to raise 拢500 with their distance challenge, which will be matched by Lubrizol. To donate, visit:

Other universities represented by the Lubrizol distance challenge are: Derby, Loughborough, York, Warwick, Nottingham, Lincoln, Durham, St Andrews and Sheffield.

Charlotte Mellor who is a Cancer Research UK PhD student and Candy Kong who studied Criminology at Swag直播 were the first in their family to attend university and are now featured as part of the .

Charlotte Mellor said: 鈥�Without University, I wouldn鈥檛 be working in the field I鈥檓 in. It鈥檚 opened the door to working in a field I didn鈥檛 even know existed before, as it鈥檚 so far removed from school classes. It鈥檚 allowed me to get involved in things at a really high level and have a go at different things that I鈥檝e been interested in.

鈥淢y brother has since applied and been to university, which was easier for him than me as it wasn鈥檛 new anymore. I鈥檇 already been through it and opened the door. My immediate family is really proud of the fact I was the first to go to university and I鈥檝e earned the opportunity to go and do something that I want to do, which I wouldn鈥檛 have had without university.鈥�

Candy Kong said: 鈥淚 value my time at university immensely, from studying a challenging degree, meeting new people and taking on exciting opportunities.鈥�

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; UUK鈥檚 鈥�100 Faces campaign鈥� aims to champion and celebrate the positive impact of 鈥榝irst-in-the-family鈥� (FitF) graduates on the UK 鈥� including England footballer Beth Mead, Lord David Blunkett, Nobel Prize winner Sir Chris Pissarides and actor Amit Shah - in order to highlight the need for access to support, and ensure the next generation can reach their graduate potential.

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; As part of the campaign, new research reveals the transformative impact of going to university  on ambition (74%), with almost three quarters (73%) of FitF students agreeing their degree gave them the confidence to apply for jobs without feeling like an imposter

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; The research  also highlights FiF students鈥�  reliance on depreciating financial support - without financial support, over 4 in 10 FitF graduates couldn鈥檛 have afforded to go to university at all. This is equivalent to around 1.1 million 24鈥�40-year-olds in England and Wales.

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; With financial provisions dwindling and the cost of living rising, UUK is calling for government to reinstate maintenance grants and increase support for future students

These findings come from extensive new research, commissioned by Universities UK, into the experiences of 6,004 UK graduates and 4,006 non-graduates, aged 24-40, from across the UK.

The success of students like Charlotte and Candy is testament to the extraordinary role university can play 鈥� particularly for those students who are the first in their family to attend and face significant barriers before they even set foot on campus. Despite this inequality, FiF students flourish at university 鈥� with three quarters of FiF respondents saying that their experiences at university made them more confident and ambitious, gave them broader life experiences and crucial life skills which continue to be impactful long after graduation.

However, the research also pointed to the need for uplifted financial support to ensure that FiF students are able to progress. Over 4 in 10 (41%) FitF students believe that without financial assistance they wouldn鈥檛 have been able to afford to go to university, and when non-graduates from across the UK were asked what might have persuaded them to attend university, almost half (48%) responded more financial support.

Many graduates responding to this survey were eligible for non-repayable maintenance grants as students, which were replaced by repayable loans, in England in 2016, although maintenance grants continue to operate in Wales, Scotland and for some healthcare courses in England.

In light of this, UUK is campaigning to highlight the achievements of the extraordinary first in family graduates in every community, and to ensure that future generations don鈥檛 miss out on the transformative impact of a university education.  

Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, commented: 鈥淭here are those who say that too many people go to university. I disagree. These stories tell you why. In this country you are still twice as likely to go to university if you are from the wealthiest background, compared to the least wealthy. That鈥檚 not right.鈥�

"There are those who say that too many people go to university. I disagree. These stories tell you why. In this country you are still twice as likely to go to university if you are from the wealthiest background, compared to the least wealthy. That鈥檚 not right.

鈥淭he experiences of students who are the first in their families to have been to university tell a powerful story. I am amazed by how many graduates talked about having imposter syndrome 鈥� and the way that earning a degree helped to banish that feeling. I believe we have a responsibility to keep working to ensure a wider range of people in this country get access to the potentially transformative experience of going to university. For that to happen, we really do need to see an improvement in maintenance support to support those from the least privileged backgrounds.鈥�

The driving force behind the podcast, named Big Sisters in STEM, is a recognition of the need for a supportive and inclusive environment where women and non-binary individuals in STEM feel seen and heard.

It explores the challenges, triumphs and experiences of women and non-binary individuals navigating through a traditionally male-dominated field and delves into the complex realities behind living in a society where just being present in the room is often hailed as a milestone achievement.

From grappling with imposter syndrome to the societal pressure to overburden ourselves, the challenges of being the only woman in the classroom and navigating a career while balancing family responsibilities, the podcast unpacks the multifaceted issues that hinder the full participation of underrepresented groups in STEM.

Host and producer Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her), a Marketing and Recruitment Co-ordinator at Swag直播, said: 鈥淭he idea behind Big Sisters in STEM was really about creating a safe space for women and people who know what it feels like to be othered.

鈥淭he prospective and current students I talk to are so often surprised to hear that successful career people or award-winning researchers still struggle with relatable things like self-confidence or learning how to say 鈥榥o鈥�. While it might be scary to hear that things like imposter syndrome linger on longer than we鈥檇 like, I hope it鈥檚 also heartening for people to know they are not alone, and that together we might be able to better support each other.

鈥淚t鈥檚 somewhere to come together and share experiences and guidance in an open and genuine way 鈥� like sitting down for a 鈥榗uppa with your big sister.

鈥淎s in all areas of education and industry, it鈥檚 so important that STEM becomes more intersectional 鈥� and we talk about that a lot on the podcast. The more perspectives which inform a situation the more well-rounded our solutions will be 鈥� be that in climate change, use of new technology, or medical equality.鈥�

Each episode of the podcast hears from a combination of inspirational academics, industry professionals and students.

Episode one, which will air on Wednesday, 27 March 2024, features (she/her), a Lecturer in Aerospace Systems at the University, who specialises in Astrodynamics and Space Mission Design and in 2021 won the Institute of Engineering and Technology Woman of the Year award.During the episode Ciara shares her own personal experiences, talking about the turning point in her career when someone told her, her work on space was 鈥渇rivolous鈥�. She gives her take on the topic, space as a that can help 鈥渃hange the world鈥� and shares fascinating insight into how satellite technology has a tangible impact on everyday lives on earth.

She said: 鈥淧eople think that space is so far away, but it鈥檚 not. Most of the satellites that we have in space are actually closer to us here in Swag直播 than we are away from Paris.鈥�

Ciara goes on to talk about the lack of understanding around the breadth of engineering and frustration of losing potentially great people from the field through lack of understanding.

She added: 鈥淭here are so many skills that are equally as important in engineering, and we probably lose those along the way鈥� One of the things I talk about with industry partners we work with is how important human factors are. You can engineer the perfect aircraft or spacecraft but accounting for how people are going to behave is really hard 鈥� that鈥檚 where accidents happen, and mistakes are made. We need good communicators, and psychologists, and I worry that we鈥檙e losing those people along the way because people don鈥檛 feel like those are the skills we need in engineering.鈥�

Ciara is joined by Earth and Environmental Sciences student Vannessa Thai (they/them), a first-year Earth and Environmental Sciences Student with a sought-after scholarship at the University.

They said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of challenge to go through and fight for what you believe in and be heard, especially in spaces where people don鈥檛 look like you or from your background, especially climate engineering where it can feel like an exclusive space.

Other guests throughout the six-week series include Dr Zahra Montazeri (she/her) a Computer Science Lecturer, who is a Computer Graphics specialist and has previously worked with Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks - on everything from Star Wars to Frozen.

The season also brings conversations with Dr Charlene Gallery (she/her), who talks about her work in the fashion industry, working with new technologies to pioneer more sustainable practices,(she/her), a Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy at Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Ella Podmore MBE (she/her) IET Woman of the Year 2020 and Senior Materials Engineer, and (she/her) an inspiring Clinical Academic who focuses on the screening, prevention and early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers.

They are joined with students from a broad range of STEM areas, including civil engineering, computer science, materials science, chemical engineering, biotechnology and medicine.

The first episode of Big Sisters in STEM will launch on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 and will be available on all podcast platforms.

For more information and regular updates, follow the Instagram, or visit the website:

Swag直播鈥檚 proposal to redevelop the Fallowfield Campus to provide more high-quality, modern student accommodation has been approved by Swag直播 City Council Planning and Highways Committee.

The approved plans encompass the redevelopment of Owens Park, Oak House and Woolton Hall to meet the increasing demand for student bedrooms in inclusive, safe and sociable surroundings. Located near to the University鈥檚 main buildings, the site is well-connected and provides students with a wide range of support services to ensure a world-class student experience.

On completion, the wider Fallowfield campus will offer up to 5,400 student beds by replacing the existing, older accommodation on site and delivering 3,300 updated bedspaces to meet the growing demand for high-quality, modern bedrooms across the popular campus.  

Earlier this year, the University delivered a month-long public consultation for residents, local groups, students and staff to share their feedback on the proposals. Their responses have been reviewed and considered by the University and will be incorporated into the ongoing plans for the future of the campus.

The redevelopment will be delivered in multiple phases and includes the demolition of Owens Park Tower which has been closed for several years. As outline planning consent has now been granted, the University will work with a delivery partner to bring the plans forward in the new year.

Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience, University of Swag直播 said: 鈥淲e are delighted that we have been granted planning permission for our Fallowfield Campus Redevelopment. These plans were born out of a commitment to provide our new and returning students with modern, high-quality accommodation. This much needed update to one of our most popular student campuses is integral to ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of our student population by delivering well-connected, serviced, modern accommodation in a supportive and inclusive environment.

鈥淭he public consultation held last summer, ahead of submitting our application to Swag直播 City Council was an important part of the process and, as part of our ongoing plans for the campus, we will continue to work with our Fallowfield neighbours and local neighbourhood managers so that both our students and the surrounding community can benefit as much as possible from the redevelopment project.鈥�

To view further information and to receive updates on the project, please visit the project website at Fallowfield student campus (manchester.ac.uk)

Michael Magwira from Malawi was another scholar who graduated, after gaining a distinction for his MSc in Medical and Molecular Virology. Alongside resuming his career as a Molecular Laboratory Scientist, he will use his newly-acquired knowledge of virus biology to understand the HIV pandemic in his home country, which he hopes will have a positive effect on its future transmission and control.

鈥淧rior to applying to Swag直播, I spent a considerable amount of time researching the standards of teaching and facilities available at a number of UK universities,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I received notification via the Equity and Merit Facebook page about the scholarship, Swag直播 rose to the top of my list as it had everything I was looking for, from my education to the environment I wished to study in. I then spoke to few E&M alumni from Uganda and Tanzania who had nothing but positive things to say - two highlights of their feedback that encouraged me to apply were the high standards of teaching and the support available at the University.鈥�

鈥淭he support that the University gives to its students is fantastic, and is centred around the wellbeing of the students. The lifestyle in Swag直播 is very diverse and inclusive - regardless of your nationality, you will always find someone to talk to. Apart from good entertainment and football exposure, the road and transport networks make it easier to access the University from all around the city.鈥�

Another of our graduates was Rufaro Matsika from Zimbabwe, who attained an MSc in International Development majoring in Environment, Climate Change and Development. She wants to assist businesses to account for their emissions and monitor the progress of their decarbonisation strategies. She aims to establish a consultancy firm that facilitates the integration of sustainable practices in business operations while providing opportunities for young individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain hands-on work experience in the field of sustainability.

鈥淚 enjoyed everything about the University, from the vast number of resources available to help my academic journey to the exceptional support and guidance I received from the university staff and my academic advisor,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verything you need as a student is at your disposal, including career guidance, creating a CV and preparing for interviews. I also liked how the model of learning allows students to apply critical thinking skills.鈥�

鈥淟iving and studying in Swag直播 was a highlight due to its remarkable diversity, making it easy to connect with like-minded individuals. There is so much entertainment and many activities that one can do with friends, and transport is easily accessible. I also liked the fact the city houses two prominent Premier League football teams, Swag直播 City and Swag直播 United - these are teams that I used to just see on TV, but having them in your neighbourhood was a dream come true!鈥�

The new research by Josh Freeman, Policy Manager at HEPI, (HEPI Report 163), is based on a statistical analysis of 140 university responses and interviews with nearly 60 university professionals.

It finds that higher education institutions have adopted a range of strategies to support students, through hardship funds, food and drink discounts and support with health such as sanitary products, coordinated by cost-of-living 鈥榳orking groups鈥�, new committees not bound by the usual university processes.

The report probes the rapid responses of two universities with case studies. Swag直播 sent 拢170 cost-of-living payments to more than 90% of students, setting up enquiry forms which handled more than 16,000 queries. At Buckinghamshire New University, a programme to provide free activities saves students up to 拢200 a month, and those which received its hardship fund had a 7% higher progression rate than those that did not.

Yet the report also finds that universities are being forced to take steps which would have been unthinkable just years ago. More than a quarter of universities (27%) have a food bank, including one third (33%) of Russell Group universities and nearly two-thirds (63%) of universities in Wales. One-in-ten (11%) also distributes food vouchers.

Josh Freeman, author of the report, said: "This report shows that universities are stepping up as students experience their second major crisis in four years. Rather than leaving innovation to the laboratory, student advisors, university leaders and students鈥� union officers have pushed boundaries to get students more help. But there is more to be done. 

鈥淯niversities should streamline bureaucratic hardship funds and set up processes to move more quickly. And it is past time for the Westminster Government to address the real-terms decline in maintenance support, which leaves too many students at risk of deprivation 鈥� in what are supposed to be the best years of their lives.鈥�

Dr Simon Merrywest, Director for the Student Experience at the University of Swag直播 and author of the Foreword to the report, said: "This report clearly highlights the strength and breadth of the response to the sector to the recent cost-of-living crisis, with co-created solutions between students and university leaders at its heart. The financial squeeze of the last two years has though brought into even sharper relief pressures on students that have been growing for many years. This report raises important questions about whether universities should themselves be the ones to plug the growing gaps in student finance.

Professor Nick Braisby, Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University and author of the Afterword to the report, said: "This timely report highlights one of higher education鈥檚 greatest modern-day challenges 鈥� inequality of access, participation and achievement. This challenge is exacerbated by a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and government policy (or lack of policy intervention). Higher education providers are doing what they can to support their students, and this report contains much insight as to how they could provide more and more effective support. BNU is proud to be recognised in the report for our comprehensive award-winning support package, enabled by agile leadership, flexible processes and committed staff. 

"But Universities should not and cannot bear responsibility alone for addressing the cost-of-living crisis facing our students. We concur with the report鈥檚 call for government to do much more 鈥� if they do not, higher education study will simply become unaffordable for many of our students. Ignoring their needs will cause immense damage to our higher education sector, to our society and to our students鈥� life chances. We urge the government to heed this call for action."

Jessica Buckle is a Medical Biochemistry graduate who bravely battled to recovery from a stroke in the middle of her final year, which temporarily affected her mobility and sight.

Luckily, her sight came back after a week, but it still took eight weeks for her full mobility to recover, enabling her to walk independently once again. Reflecting on her journey, Jessica committed to completing her degree and graduating whilst on her recovery journey.

She said: 鈥淭he last semester of final year was completed from my family home in Euxton where I balanced recovery and my studies as best as I could, I contemplated deferring the year but I could see the finish line and I was so determined.

鈥淢y time at Swag直播 has been a wonderful experience meeting so many friends that I will keep and have for the rest of my life.

鈥淚 would like to raise awareness of strokes in the younger generation as I had no idea younger people even had strokes at my age. I am so grateful for all my tutors and professors that helped me throughout this time at Swag直播 and I am so thankful to be graduating with a 2:1 and lots of friends for life.鈥�

Strokes are a serious life-threatening medical emergencies resulting from interrupted blood supply to the brain. According the UK鈥檚 , strokes occur 100,000 times annually in the UK, once every five minutes 鈥� it also ranks as one of the leading causes of death and disability.

A conducted as part of World Stroke Day 2022 found a sharp increase in the incidence of stroke in young adults, in a study of more than 94,000 people in Oxfordshire.

For further resources please visit:

The University is one of three new universities chosen to partner with the Martingale Postgraduate Foundation to support passionate and talented students facing financial barriers to pursue postgraduate degrees at leading research institutions in the UK.

A Martingale Scholar will receive a fully funded scholarship to pursue a master's degree in Mathematics at one of the partner universities along with tailored support to apply for a Martingale PhD scholarship. The funding includes all tuition fees and research expenses, including a tax-free stipend for living costs.

Swag直播 has been at the forefront of mathematics for more than a century and the University has been home to some of the biggest names in the subject during this time, including Alan Turing, Max Newman, Louis Mordell, Violet Cane, and Hanna Neumann.

Martingale Scholarships will enable students from low-income backgrounds to pursue and excel in a master鈥檚 and PhD at the leading School of Mathematics.  

Professor Andrew Hazel, Head of Department, Department of Mathematics, said: 鈥淭he Department of Mathematics at Swag直播 is delighted to be partnering with the Martingale Foundation to offer scholarships allowing talented students facing financial barriers to pursue higher degrees in mathematics. The Scholarships complement the Department's existing initiatives to provide access to mathematics education for all students, irrespective of their background, and support the University's commitment to Social Responsibility, one of its three core goals. We are looking forward to welcoming the Martingale Scholars to our Department in 2024.鈥�

Incoming Martingale Scholars will have the opportunity to apply for a number of MSc courses offered by Swag直播. These are MSc Pure Mathematics, MSc Applied Mathematics, MSc Statistics and MSc Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Logic. Students can experience a sense community in the purpose-built Alan Turing building and develop excellent networks through annual maths-specific careers fairs and employer interview programmes.

Martingale Scholars also join a prestigious development programme that provides training and experiences beyond their university offer to build a pioneering community of STEM leaders.

Swag直播 joins The University of Bristol and The University of Edinburgh as new Martingale Foundation partners this year. In 2022 Martingale was launched with the founding cohort of five universities: University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Kings College London, University of Oxford, and University College London, with the inaugural cohort of scholars taking up their place this autumn, leading a new generation of STEM postgraduates.

Applications for the 2024 Martingale Scholarships are open until the 25th of October 2023. Incoming Martingale Scholars now have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees in maths at the University of Swag直播.

For more information on how to apply, application guidance and deadlines, please visit www.martingale.foundation.

The is an incredible opportunity open to exceptionally talented Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds who show potential to succeed in a career in commercial law and other careers in the City of London. Open to first-year students at participating UK universities, the scholarship offers a remarkable chance for eligible students to showcase their potential beyond academic achievement.  

Among a competitive pool of candidates, Ethan and Binham showcased their capabilities throughout the rigorous selection process which included a two-day assessment center at Freshfields in London. Their selection as Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholars is a testament to their remarkable commitment, the opportunities they have received at our university, and the potential within our student body. 

Student Access Success and Development Manager Alex Jackson said: 鈥業鈥檓 delighted that Ethan and Binham have been selected as Freshfield Stephen Lawrence Scholars. Moreover, we are proud of all of our candidates who attended assessment centres in London. All are excellent students and have represented themselves and the institution admirably throughout the selection process.鈥�

As recipients of this scholarship, working with professionals of all seniorities at Freshfields and beyond, the expert support Ethan and Binham will receive will include career guidance, skills development, mentoring, interview coaching and if they wish, an alternative route to a guaranteed training contract interview at Freshfields. 

We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

A partnership between the , Swag直播 and has today been announced which will support 14 students with scholarships that will enable them to study at the universities, in a bid to help close the attainment gap for Black British Students, increase social mobility, and support equal access to higher education.

Applications will be open to young people in the regions of Greater Swag直播 and Greater London and there will be a number of opportunities over the next three years for students to apply.

The first four scholarships (two at King鈥檚 and two at Swag直播) will be available for students commencing degree programmes in 2023/24.

Research shows in 2021/22, less than 5% of all UK students starting undergraduate degrees were Black. The partnerships with Swag直播 and King鈥檚 College London will support young people from underrepresented backgrounds to gain access to greater education and enable them to achieve their greatest potential.

Commenting on the partnership, Raheem said, 鈥淭his opportunity will help young people access further education and present them with experiences and opportunities that will enhance their future career prospects. I hope this initiative will be a real game changer over the next few years and I am delighted to be working with two of the finest universities in the world. I wish the recipients of our funding all the very best and look forward to meeting everyone on campus in Swag直播 and London later this year鈥�

The Raheem Sterling Foundation is committed to greater social mobility, providing better education, and furthering employment opportunities for young people.

Clive Ellington, Chair of Trustees added: 鈥樷赌橝t the Raheem Sterling Foundation, we believe that access to better education and employment opportunities should be made fair to all young people regardless of financial circumstances and background. The work we do is in pursuit of improving their opportunities, future careers and quality of life and we won鈥檛 rest until we succeed in Raheem鈥檚 vision of achieving this.鈥欌��

鈥樷赌橮artnering with two of the UK鈥檚 most outstanding universities, whose strive for change mirrors that of ours, is a real highlight in our journey to date, and we couldn鈥檛 be happier to announce our commitment to them and the students over the next three years.鈥欌��

For more information on the *courses available, eligibility criteria, and application process, please visit The and websites. 

Swag直播 is the world鈥檚 first civic university and first in the UK to have social responsibility as a core goal. 25% of its undergraduate students come from disadvantaged backgrounds 鈥� a significant number in comparison to other universities.

President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell commented: 鈥樷赌�The Raheem Sterling Foundation partnership will give us additional support to enable talented Black students to access higher education, mitigating financial challenges so they are better able to focus on their studies and realise their full potential. I believe that scholarships are a vital tool in helping students to access and progress through higher education, which is why we are so proud to partner with Raheem to invest in talented Black students in Greater Swag直播.鈥欌�� 

King's College London is one of the leading English Russell Group universities for social mobility, welcoming the highest number of Black undergraduate students and ranking 6th in the most recent social mobility index.

President & Principal of King's College London, Professor Shitij Kapur said: "Widening participation in higher education makes both King's and the wider world a better place. We are delighted to partner with the Raheem Sterling Foundation to further our work in this area and enable more support for underrepresented students to access higher education, achieve their aspirations and become the change-makers of the future."

鈥淭SSP has been designed to equip young adults with the knowledge required to reduce the harms associated with recreational drug use. We will use a range of methods to establish the appropriateness of the programme, its in-built assessment of learning, and its effects on the students who complete it.鈥�

鈥淭his is a really positive step towards expanding the evidence base on this important issue,鈥� said Professor Lucy Chappell, Scientific Advisor for the Department of Health and Social Care and NIHR Chief Executive Officer. 鈥淚 hope that this project and the others being funded will identify effective interventions that can have a real impact across the country in the future. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of these projects.鈥�

The latest report also highlights that graduate recruitment at the UK's top employers increased substantially in 2022, with a 14.5% increase in the number of graduates recruited compared to 2021. 

The number of graduate jobs available is expected to increase by a further 6.3% in 2023, with accounting & professional services firms being the largest recruiters of new graduates.

For more information, please read the or visit the .

To donate to Road to Relief, visit . You can also donate via bank transfer to Memon Association UK (sort code 30-98-97, account number 67538462). 

To donate to Round Table Malawi, visit .

The University has worked in a close relationship with the Students' Union since summer 2022 to . Today, we are announcing the next stage in this support: an additional payment to 10,000 students, which comes from the 拢9million package announced in November 2022.

We understand that the rising cost of living is a major concern for our students, and we're committed to providing support to help.

Sam Bronheim, Union Affairs Officer at the Students鈥� Union, commenting on behalf of the elected SU Officer Team, said: 鈥淲e are delighted to announce this second targeted payment to 10,000 students and we鈥檒l continue to collaborate with the University to support the wider student body with the rising cost of living. We鈥檙e also lobbying local and national government, on students鈥� behalf, to introduce greater financial support for the student community鈥�.

Eligible full time students will receive 拢230 and eligible part time students will receive 拢115.

The payment will be made to:

• Students who received a contextual offer from our University, for example because they lived in an area of disadvantage when they applied.
• Students who declared during University registration that they were care experienced, estranged, have caring responsibilities or dependents.
• Students who are seeking asylum in the UK.
• Recipients of the following scholarships and bursaries:
   
• The Swag直播 Bursary
• Foundation Year Bursary
• Undergraduate Access Scholarship
• Humanitarian Scholarship
• Equity and Merit Scholarship
• Swag直播 Master鈥檚 Bursary

Eligible students will receive an email by Wednesday, 8 March confirming that they will receive the payment and asking them to update their bank details on the student system.

We鈥檙e proud of the cost of living support package we鈥檝e developed with the Students鈥� Union, but we recognise that there are still significant challenges facing the student community. We鈥檙e committed to advocating on behalf of our students to government to improve the situation. For example:

We agree that that the 2.8% increase in the student maintenance loans provided by the UK Government is insufficient. We're actively working with other universities to encourage a review of this and our President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Nancy Rothwell, has been lobbying government ministers on this issue.

The Students鈥� Union is making sure that students鈥� concerns are heard by Mayor Andy Burnham through the Greater Swag直播 Student Assembly and is collaborating with other students鈥� unions to lobby central government.

We鈥檙e advocating for affordable rents and when Swag直播 City Council ask us to comment on planning applications, we won鈥檛 support any new student accommodation unless it offers good value for money.

Our Cost of Living support doesn鈥檛 stop with these payments to students. We also have a support fund that can provide, depending on a financial assessment, non-repayable grants up to 拢2,000; trained advisors on hand to help with a range of money matters; an emergency loan scheme; and mental health and wellbeing support.

The payment will be made through our own finance system, any students with queries should be directed to our .

has partnered with 26 UK universities to support Black British students who otherwise wouldn鈥檛 be able to afford their place at university.

The charity has secured more than 拢2.8million from universities to fully fund tuition fees for more than 100 students over the next decade.

The Foundation is now seeking support from businesses and donors to match the funding commitment to support the students鈥� maintenance and living costs.

The CSF, which launched in 2021, has secured generous partnerships with 26 UK universities including Swag直播 who have generously agreed to cover tuition fees and provide additional support for 11 Cowrie scholars in 2022 and 2023. Imperial College London have agreed to support six Cowrie Scholars from 2023 with not only tuition fees but also a package of support to aid living costs in partnership with CSF.

The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation鈥檚 (CSF) vision is to transform 100 disadvantaged Black British student lives through education with attendance at UK universities.

Each of the 26 partner universities, have agreed to cover the tuition fees for at least three students over a decade, with the Foundation covering maintenance and living costs through links with business and individual donors. The first wave of students are already benefitting from the funding grants. The next aim is to unlock the 拢2.8M from 26 universities with matched funding from businesses to enable socio-economically disadvantaged Black British students attend UK universities on full scholarships. CSF will then continue to raise funds, eventually forming an ecosystem, and then to finance scholarships through endowments. Business can make a significant difference with internships, workshops and in providing role models and mentorship underlining the important role of business support.

Professor Richard Oreffo, Professor of Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Southampton and CSF Founder, a registered charity, said: 鈥淎ccess to university should not be limited by race or social class, but unfortunately, this is not the case for all in our society. This is a positive agenda to level the field for disadvantaged Black British students. We all have a collective responsibility to make a positive difference for the society we want. With the cost of living crisis having a significant impact we need support now more than ever.  

鈥淚 believe, higher education has the power to transform lives and with the support of universities and businesses we can make a difference not only financially but with internships, role models and workshops. The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation seeks to address a significant barrier: the financial cost of university education and these new scholarships will make a major impact on students鈥� lives.鈥�

Kesiah- Cowrie Scholar 2021 cohort said: 鈥淐SF has opened doors for me that I never thought would be possible. I don鈥檛 feel as financially limited, and opportunities are in abundance.鈥�

Professor April McMahon, Vice-President Teaching, Learning and Students said: "We are extremely proud to have entered into a long-term partnership with The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation to provide scholarships for talented Black British students for whom there may be financial and social barriers to accessing higher education. We believe this is an important opportunity to harness education for positive change. It reinforces our ongoing commitment to provide an environment for students from a wide range of backgrounds to thrive.鈥�

The issues around the participation of disadvantaged Black British students in higher education are complex. Progress in widening access and supporting student success must continue from early school years and, as indicated by a Russell Group Report , the rate of change concerning participation of Black students needs to improve. Issues around progression, application, attainment gap, well-being of disadvantaged students and expectations are also all factors.

The United Kingdom celebrates 75 years of India's independence by recognising and celebrating the work of 75 young achievers who have studied in the UK. Achievers 鈥渁re some of the brightest young minds in the India-UK corridor. They are trailblazers, Innovators and thought leaders, shaping India's future and setting global discourse.鈥�

The honours are part of , celebrating the friendship between the UK and India - marking the 75th anniversary of India. The 75 Achievers were honoured at a on 25 January.

The winners:

Parineeti Chopra, Arts, Culture & Entertainment category (Outstanding Achiever) (BA Intl Business, Finance & Economics 2009)

A National Film Award winner, Parineeti is an acclaimed artist with multiple honours and recognitions to her name. She has appeared in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list since 2013.

The renowned Bollywood actor, is a household name in India and beyond. Parineeti graduated from the Alliance Swag直播 Business School in 2009 having studied; business, finance and economics, before turning to acting.

On accepting her award Parineeti said: 鈥淟ife has come full circle and I鈥檓 so glad to be back where it all started! Having studied at Swag直播 Business School, to be able to come back, receive this award and celebrate it at the UK Parliament is such an incredible, special feeling.鈥�

Somdip Dey, Education, Science & Innovation category (Outstanding Achiever) (MSc Computer Science 2014)

Somdip Dey is a machine learning researcher, educator, entrepreneur and electronic music producer. He is credited with co-developing the Nosh app, an AI-based food management app, aiming to reduce food waste in the household. Dey also co-founded Nosh Technologies and is currently the CEO and Chief Scientist in the company.

Speaking about the award, Somdip said: 鈥淐oming from a humble family from the slums of Kolkata, India, if someone told my past self that I would reach where I am today, I might not have ever believed it, especially since being dyslexic and falling in the ADHD spectrum - education in my early life hasn't been easy. But Swag直播 has provided me with the right support to achieve my full potential. Given the University鈥檚 vibrant learning culture, rich heritage and expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and a network of leading change-makers from around the world, the University is one of the best places in the world to pursue your dreams - as mine came true because of my education at Swag直播!鈥�

Dr Srijan Jinda, Education, Science & Innovation category (PhD Chemistry 2020)

Born in Varanasi, Srijan completed his undergraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in 2016 and his Ph.D. at Swag直播 in 2019. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool for a year after which he spun out a medical device company PhenUtest Diagnostics Ltd. and is working towards commercialising a revolutionary rapid UTI diagnostic kit as the Chief Scientific Officer for the company.

Arundhuti Gupta, Education, Science & Innovation category (MSc Finance 2009)

Arundhuti is the founding trustee and chief executive officer of Mentor Together, a non-profit organisation in India that provides mentoring relationships and networks to young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.  Arundhuti setup Mentor Together aged 23, to pay forward mentorship that had been catalytic in helping her discover a passion for youth development and social entrepreneurship.

Stanislas 鈥楽tan鈥� Dembinski, an undergraduate here at Swag直播 and his twin brother Cyril (who studies at l鈥橢SME in Bordeaux, France) have formed a team, 鈥楾he Twin Turbos鈥� to take part in the .  

The 鈥�4L鈥� is a student rally of c.1,500 cars and 3,000 students from across Europe undertaking a near 3000km dash from Biarritz to Marrakech, with participants competing to arrive by the shortest possible route, equipped with only a map and compass in a Renault 4.  

Budding mechanical engineers, Stan and Cyril are both excited by the challenge of making sure their Renault 4 鈥� the youngest model of which is about 60 years old 鈥� can survive the long and complicated journey across Europe, through Africa鈥檚 desert lands and, finally into Marrakech. They鈥檙e also using their participation in the rally to raise money and awareness for  (鈥楥hildren of the Desert鈥�) that equips some of the poorest children in Morocco with school supplies like books, pens and blackboards and, building repairing and maintaining classrooms, helping about 20,000 children every year.  

Stan would welcome any sponsorship to support their race, with supporters having the chance to have their face emblazoned on their 鈥楾win Turbos鈥� rally car!  

Stan said:  

鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to be taking part in this rally and we鈥檙e looking for sponsors to meet the costs of entering the 4L Trophy so my brother and, the 鈥楾win Turbos鈥� can raise money for kids who really need our help, so they can have a shot at a decent education 鈥� which we all value so much.  

鈥淚t costs about 拢3000 to enter the rally and another 拢3000 to prepare the car so we鈥檙e looking for generous supporters and sponsors to help us help the kids of Marrakech. In return, you can get your face and social media on the car for its journey, or you may know a company or organisation that can have their logo on the car in return for sponsorship.鈥�

If you want to sponsor the Twin Turbos, you can . You can also .  

The latest package of support represents a commitment of over 拢7million. Further targeted support in 2023 for those most in need will be announced in due course and bring the total of committed student support to 拢9million.

Registered students will each receive a one-off cost of living payment. Full-time students will receive 拢170 and part-time students will receive 拢85, paid into their UK bank account.

This sector-leading initiative is a result of ongoing discussions between the University and the Students鈥� Union, arising directly from student feedback and suggestions from the Executive Officers.

The roll-out for the payments is expected before the Christmas break, to help support students over the winter months. A very small number of professional level postgraduate courses are excluded.

It builds on existing financial support previously announced, including increases to the University鈥檚 Cost of Living Support Fund, and providing grants of up to 拢2,000 to students who are struggling, plus raising the minimum stipend for 2022/23 by more than 拢2000 for all PGRs who are on a studentship funded directly by the University.

The University has also put into place assistance in the form of cheaper food options, free microwave and hot water facilities, free showers, and free period products. Library fines have been ended and free eBooks provided to help students meet costs of studying. The Students鈥� Union is also helping to provide free and discounted access to sports and recreation and has put on study nights with free food in a warm environment.

Working with the Students鈥� Union, the University is providing more jobs for students on campus, easier and increased access to short-term emergency financial assistance, and funding a new Money Advisor post to be created in the Students鈥� Union. These and other measures and are being communicated to students.

Sam Bronheim, Union Affairs Officer at the Students鈥� Union, said: 鈥淲e have valued collaborating with the University on this project and are glad they have listened to our ideas. With action like this, we hope students feel that, through the Students鈥� Union, their needs have not only been heard but met by the University.鈥� 

Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: 鈥淭he cost of living crisis is a major concern for our students, especially at this time of year. I鈥檓 so delighted that, working closely with the Students鈥� Union, we鈥檝e been able to offer this payment. We also have wider support in place including wellbeing and further financial support through our Cost of Living Support fund, so would encourage any student that needs our help to please reach out.鈥� 

Cost of Living Support to Staff

The University has previously announced a cost-of-living payment of 拢1,000 to all colleagues paid within grades 1-8 (or to a total salary limit of 拢71,644 for employees on equivalent pay structures) who have been in post as of 1 October 2022. The payment will be split in two parts, 拢500 paid with the November payroll, and a second payment of 拢500 in the January 2023 payroll (for staff in post on 1 January). For those who wish to there is the option to donate this to student support funds or to other charities. The University is already an accredited Real Living Wage Employer.

Graduate teaching assistants, who work variable hours, will receive a 3% pay rise.

The University believes that providing for this cost of living support for staff and students is the right thing to do at this very difficult time, recognising that it is an urgent priority for so many of our people. Inevitably, this means difficult choices are being made about other areas of planned investment for this year which will have to be reprioritised.

The event is generously funded by the University of Swag直播's Humanities Strategic Civic Engagement Fund (HSCEF), and is also supported by the MOBILISE project and Ukrainian Embassy in the UK.

This conference brings together dozens of Ukrainian students and UK University alumni from across the whole country for a day of talks, working groups, monitoring, and lectures. Among many special guests will be Ms. Olga Tokariuk, a renowned Ukrainian Journalist and Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford, and Professor Andrew Wilson of UCL will be joining the students for key note lectures. 

Dr Onuch said 鈥淚t is our duty as scholars and university leaders to support the next generation - one way we can do this is to  provide a space where they can come together, meet each other, and feel a collective sense of support and meaning," said Dr Onuch. 鈥淭hese students have been through unthinkable trauma and stress in the last year - they have family and friends in harm's way, and yet they still have to write essays, sit exams, and think of finding a job. Thus, we must do all we can to support them and their ambitions.鈥�

Jesy is studying with financial mathematics in Swag直播 and was recognised with this award win due to a raft of high-profile activities undertaken whilst studying.

Each year, the Student Social Mobility Awards are organised by the social mobility charity to showcase the incredible achievements of undergraduate students alongside the contributions of organisations and individuals striving to improve social mobility across the UK.

This year鈥檚 awards were announced during a prestigious ceremony at the House of Lords, which was hosted by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, the winners were celebrated for their grit, resilience and determination to succeed.

Speaking on his award success, Jesy said: 鈥淚n terms of how I feel, I feel proud and overjoyed. I am grateful for the recognition of my work and blessed to have the opportunity to attend the House of Lords and connect with fellow change-makers within the social mobility scene.

鈥淲hat comes is next to take the opportunities that follow with an open mind and see what comes out of them. I will see where I can help support people that look like me and come from similar backgrounds to myself. I am involved in several projects this coming academic year and I am excited to see how they unfold.鈥�

As well as his studies Jesy has acted as the National Finance Director of The 93% Foundation, the largest state-educated social mobility network. Jesy also the participated in the pilot for Swag直播's 'Swag直播 10/10' programme where we look to narrow the attainment gap at the university between Black students and their peers.

Jesy was also awarded the prestigious Stephen Lawrence Scholarship by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer law firm, which is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation in large commercial law firms and other City institutions of black men from less socially mobile backgrounds.

All student winners and nominees have managed to find success despite facing socio-economic challenges, such as limited professional networks, juggling multiple responsibilities alongside studying, reduced access to careers support and living in areas with low job prospects. 67% of nominees were the first in their family to attend university, 21% had caring responsibilities and more than half were eligible for free school meals.

Stephanie Lieber, Acting CEO at upReach said: 鈥渦pReach is proud to have hosted the fourth annual Student Social Mobility Awards and shone a spotlight on both students who have excelled, and the organisations that have paved the way for them to do so. Having overcome significant socioeconomic barriers and mitigating circumstances, these winners and nominees serve as inspiring role models for those from similar backgrounds, encouraging them to set their ambitions high and realise their full potential.鈥�

The project, entitled 鈥楧oes Disruption of the Circadian Clock System Advance Liver Fibrosis was carried out at the at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Swag直播 whilst intercalating for his BSc in Anatomical Sciences.

Mr Adegboye was presented with his award and 拢1,500 prize at the annual meeting of the British Gastroenterology Society (BSG) on Tuesday June 21^st. The ceremony took place during a special dinner at the Raddison Blu Hotel in Birmingham, with the awards presented by the Chair of the BSG and attended by other illustrious names in gastroenterology medicine along with the CEO of Guts UK.

The Dr Falk Pharma/Guts UK Awards are dedicated to encouraging research and promoting patient care in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology. Since 2007 they have rewarded over 120 dedicated young health care professionals, including medical students, junior doctors, nurses and dietitians.

Mr Adegboye explains, 鈥業 have developed a keen interest in liver disease because it affects so many people across so many aetiologies. Further, liver disease is going to be one of the major health challenges of the future. Organ fibrosis occurs across all liver disease and so if we can find a method of treating fibrosis it would be of enormous benefit.

This project aims to investigate whether the Circadian Clock System (CCS) contributes to the advancement of progressive fibrosis in the liver. If our hypothesis is correct, it would suggest that CCS disruption advances liver fibrosis - a condition which is associated with most of the morbidity and mortality related to CLD. This may pave the way for the development of therapies to target the liver鈥檚 circadian rhythms may be a way to halt or reduce fibrotic progress.鈥�

鈥業 am so pleased to have been awarded this prize. Itis a reward for all the hard work that has gone into this project, not just for me but for all the team. I am really interested in pursuing a career in clinical research and this is a very competitive are of medicine so this award will be really useful for my CV and to open some doors as I build my career.鈥�

Mr Adegboye鈥檚 Project Supervisor Professor Karen Piper Hanley comments :  鈥極luwatobi has been a great student to have in the lab. His enthusiasm has been fantastic, and our collective lab have been delighted with both his intellectual and technical in-put into the project. His contributions will most certainly be recognised as we look to publish these findings.鈥�

鈥淲e were excited to speak to our President at such a difficult time, and to unite our voices with the struggle of the people of Ukraine,鈥� said Mariia Horb, President of the University鈥檚 Ukrainian Society.

This means that the University performed among the top 2% of the QS. This year's rankings included 1422 institutions from 100 different locations worldwide, with 90 from the UK alone. The rankings are based on several different indicators including the breakdown of more than 16 million research publications.

This year, the University has also been awarded another prize by QS in "Recognition of Internationalisation". The new award shows that Swag直播 has a diverse international staff and student community, with 21% of staff members being classed as international and over 18,000 international students from more than 170 countries. 

This latest success follows on from Swag直播 retaining its position as one of the world's leading institutions according to the 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings earlier this year.

The University ranked ninth globally out of nearly 1600 international entrants. This makes Swag直播 the only institution in Europe to be consistently named in the top 10 globally for action taken toward the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since the rankings began.  

Swag直播 Humanitarian scholarships are just one of the many on offer supporting the University鈥檚 social responsibility agenda, which include Equity and Merit Scholarships for students from sub-Saharan Africa and Undergraduate Access Scholarships for UK applicants who have been in care or estranged.

The organised active event saw students gather on campus and visit various landmarks and venues from Whitworth Park to Piccadilly Garden as part of global action led by the Save Soil Movement of Conscious Planet.

Harry Moss, a third year student at Swag直播 organised the event after volunteering for Save Soil.

鈥淚 got involved through wanting to be a part of an effort to bring 3.5 billion people together to help revive and bring a minimum 3-6% organic content back into the soil.鈥� said Harry.

As well as hugely impacting upon increasing an increasing humanitarian food crisis, drastic soil degradation across the world can also impact; water scarcity, loss of bio-diversity, loss of livelihood and of course, the climate crisis.

Currently taking place (9 May to 20 May) is the UN鈥檚 fifteenth conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Abidjan, C么te d鈥橧voire. This year鈥檚 theme is, 鈥楲and. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity', which is hoped to be a call to action to ensure land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present and future generations.  鈥�

How can I help contribute?

• TWEET & SHARE #SaveSoil
• EARN A CERTIFICATE FOR YOUR CV @
• JOIN THE ART EXHIBITION @
• BECOME AN EARTH BUDDY @

Visit to find out more.

鈥淚 am impressed by the energy, drive, confidence and English language proficiency of the Afghani women taking our programme,鈥� said Dr Alexander Gardner-McTaggart, Academic Lead Flexible Learning and head of the MA in Educational Leadership in Practice programme. 鈥淚 count this as a significant teaching milestone in my 25 year career and look forward to growing our outreach and collaboration with the AUW, providing world-leading education where it matters most.鈥�

Swag直播 is now continuing to work with AUW, exploring opportunities to extend the scheme and the number of Afghani women refugees being supported. 

Alongside the evaluation work, the IGNITE Network+ team will be working to support energy researchers from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds through organisational interventions, mentorship, advice and advocacy.

Initiatives arising from consultation with the research community will be a key component of the network, with 40% of the funding allocated to flexible funding calls to address energy research challenges, and fund initiatives in support of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Principal Investigator, Professor Rebecca Lunn from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Strathclyde said: 鈥淭here is a real lack of diversity in energy research which stems not from a lack of interest, talent or ambition in underrepresented individuals, but from systemic inequalities in UK systems and institutions.

鈥淚GNITE Network+ will focus on transforming diversity by critically evaluating systemic inequalities at each stage in the career pathways of energy researchers. We will design and implement initiatives to remove barriers to success for underrepresented individuals and monitor the performance of these initiatives.鈥�

The project work will be complemented by separate research carried out by Professor Simone Abram at Durham University, a Director in the , also funded by EPSRC. The EDI+ national fellowship scheme will address key challenges and equip a cohort of researchers and their organisations to make lasting changes towards a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible research community.

Funding has been put in place for an initial three-year period with a view to longer term sustainability via external funding streams.

Student Scholarships

The first element is a scholarship fund to support new students fleeing conflict, including those in Ukraine currently, who are so significantly affected by the war. The detail of the scheme needs to be worked through and will be confirmed as soon as possible.  In addition, the University has a range of support systems for existing students who may be affected.

The student scholarship fund builds on the University鈥檚 existing programmes to support students, whether through its augmented Living Cost Support Fund for existing students or specific schemes to assist asylum seeker students.

Once established, the new scholarship fund will provide annual support for:  

- 10 undergraduate scholarships including 拢11,000 stipend each year for three years, access to NHS surcharge and visa costs, with fees waived.

- 10 postgraduate taught scholarships including 拢15,000 stipend for one year, access to NHS surcharge and visa costs, with fees waived.

The University is also considering how it might provide support for postgraduate researchers and will update on that in due course.

We are initially investing a total of almost 拢5 million of direct costs and waiving of fees.

Scholarships would be available to students globally fleeing conflict zones, provisionally using the Uppsala University Conflict Data Programme database on armed conflict to set the parameters of the scheme. It is being developed with advice from the University鈥檚 Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) over the coming weeks and more details will be announced.

Further details on eligibility criteria and design are being finalised. Funding for scholarship support will begin in September 2022, with some flexibility on allocation in the first year to allow rapid deployment of funds.

Support for staff through CARA fellowships

The University is also committed to supporting the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) to provide five, two-year fellowships to support staff fleeing conflict zones The terms of a CARA fellowship allow staff to undertake research and contribute to university teaching.

A programme for professional services staff is also being considered separately.

President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: 鈥淥ur University is here to create a safe and inclusive environment for students and staff from the UK and around the world to study, teach, research and above all, thrive.

鈥淲e are providing direct support to new students and staff fleeing conflict, including those in Ukraine or currently displaced as a result of the Russian government鈥檚 invasion. We look forward to providing a whole-hearted Swag直播 welcome in the weeks and months to come.鈥�

All details on the University鈥檚 Ukraine response can be found here, with regular updates on our position, what we are doing, how you can help, relevant news, and connections with our experts on the invasion of Ukraine.

If you鈥檇 like to support students affected by the conflict, you can make a gift to our Living Cost Support Fund . The Living Cost Support Fund exists thanks to generous alumni and donors, and forms part of the package of support available to students who have been directly impacted by the war in Ukraine. The Fund is available to any Swag直播 student facing unforeseen hardship during their studies.

The MISST (Mental Imagery for Suicidality in Students Trial) is a collaboration between Greater Swag直播 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Lancaster, and Swag直播.

It is funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care.

Moving away from home, academic stress, and financial pressures can all impact on students, who sometimes struggle with their mental health at university.

A previous study found that up to 42% of students thought about suicide in the previous 12 months.

Universities offer counselling and mental health services which  are a source of support and help for struggling students, however, further effective therapies for preventing suicide are still needed.

MISST focuses on a novel talking therapy that is designed to help strengthen a person鈥檚 ability to recall and relive positive memories.

the therapy  is used as a way to counter the spiral of negative thoughts and feelings that can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Psychologists argue that by having the therapy, a person may be able to strengthen their ability to break free of spiralling  negative thoughts by immersing themselves in memories of more positive times.

Co-Principal Investigator Dr Jasper Palmier-Claus from Lancaster University said: 鈥淲hen people are suicidal, we know it can be hard for them to focus on positive experiences in the past, or imagine positive experiences in the future. There is a sort of tunnel-vision. The therapy aims to help people break free from this state by re-connecting with positive experiences in their life.鈥�

The trial will aim to test the therapy with students studying in the North-West of England, who have had recent difficulties with suicidal thoughts or behaviour.

Participants will be randomly put into a group to either receive the new therapy, or regular treatment through their university counselling or support services.

MISST is a feasibility trial, which means the aim is to determine if a more powerful large-scale clinical trial would be possible to run. This includes checking what students think about the therapy and whether it is possible to recruit people to take part.

Co-Principal Investigator Dr Peter Taylor from Swag直播 said: 鈥淭his is a first step, but an important one. This trial will give us the information we need to plan what we call a 鈥渄efinitive trial鈥�, one that will then tell us how effective the therapy is. The aim is to work towards having effective therapies available for universities to help prevent student suicide.鈥�

MISST was funded as part of a wider mental health research initiative run by the NIHR. You can find out more about it

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you鈥檙e feeling, or if you鈥檙e worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

is now open for this year鈥檚 Purple Wave, part of the Great Swag直播 Run, on 22 May.

James Banister, Eleanor Taylor and Jack Sharpen from the student鈥檚 Run Wild Society, joined TV star Ferne McCann who will be participating in this year鈥檚 event.

The reality TV star and model told the runners how running helps her stay grounded while juggling a busy schedule and being a mum.

Now in its seventh year, the Purple Wave organisers are hoping hundreds University of Swag直播 staff, students and alumni will take part in the race.

The Great Swag直播 Run, Europe's leading 10 km running event, is broadcast live on the BBC.

The internationally renowned event will be staged for the 19th time, with the day also including a half marathon in the heart of the city.

The University will have its own start time, with a Purple Wave of runners wearing the purple technical running t-shirts they receive on registration.

In past years, up to 2,600 University staff, students and alumni have been part of the event.

And the University is again organising a 2.5K and 5K Run, this year on at Platt Fields, giving anyone who wants to take part in the May event a taster of what鈥檚 in store 鈥搘hatever their ability.

Purple wave organiser Ellen Stephenson from  Swag直播 Sport Department said: 鈥淭he struggles over the past few years have tested many people鈥檚 mental health. So the focus of this year鈥檚 Great Swag直播 Run is mental health and how running and everyday activity can help you keep a healthy mind-  as well as a healthy body. You can run, walk or Jog; it鈥檚 great to be active.

鈥淩unning is a fantastic thing to do. It鈥檚 good for your physical and mental health it鈥檚 also great fun. You don鈥檛 need to be experienced-  it really is for anyone. So get involved!鈥�

鈥淎nd if you鈥檝e never run before why not take part in our taster races? Just come along over your lunch break get involved: It only costs 拢3 and all finishers get an iron on badge.鈥�

The University run a number of to support runners from a beginner鈥檚 session on a Tuesday evening to sessions for more experienced runners on lunch times and evenings.

Anyone who doesn鈥檛 want to take part in the races can volunteer. Email  sportsvolunteer@manchester.ac.uk if you want to get involved on either the 9^th March or the 22^nd May. 

All participants in the Purple Wave are being encouraged to raise money for their chosen cause,  which can include    ,  the Purple wave's chosen cause. The campaign aims  to create a world-leading cancer research centre in the heart of Swag直播.

Those raising money for Re-write cancer will have their entry fee waived if they reach the minimum fundraising target.

Pictures: 

Eleanor, James and Jack being interviewed at the launch

Eleanor, James and Jack  with Mike Addelman and Ellen Stephenson

Ellen, Jack, James, Ferne McCann, Eleanor and Mike

Purple Wavers in action

The event will take place from midday on 17 November to the same time the next day with students and staff completing 5km loops into the city from the Student Union building on Oxford Road.

Virtual runners will also be able upload their times to the event if they can’t make it to Swag直播.

Organised by the student Run Wild Society, they will be running to raise funds for “A Bed Every Night", a supported by the Greater Swag直播 Mayor's Charity.

To donate, visit the page. There will also be a Facebook event and you can join in the fun by clicking

In its third year, the organisers hope to better the £3000 raised in 2020’s virtual event during the Lockdown.

More details are available on the Run Society and anyone who wants to donate can visit the Society’s page.

Anyone of any ability is invited to join the event in which the organisers are targeting a distance of 1,407 km - the distance to Land’s End to John O’ Groats

But they’ll have to pull out all the stops if they are to beat last year’s virtual event- in which runners logged a massive 2,700Km.

James Bannister is a fourth year physics student and President of the Run Wild Society.

He said: “We were delighted with the response to last year’s virtual event in the depths of Lockdown, but it’s always great to be part of the event in person.

“And we want to make it as inclusive as possible, because running is for pretty much anyone so it’s not a race.

“Of course participants can run for as long as they like, but some people new to running may out in an enormous effort to run 5k which could be seen as a greater achievement.

“There’ll also be a couple of walking waves, so whatever your ability, please do come and join us!”

A provides a bed, warm welcome, and personal support for anyone who is sleeping rough or at imminent risk of sleeping rough in Greater Swag直播.

Greater Swag直播 Mayor’s Charity raises vital funds to support the front line as well as invest in homeless prevention projects and counts Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Swag直播 as its patron.

George Obolo, 20, in his third year at Swag直播 studying Medicine (MbChB), was fifth in the list of  future Leaders of 2021/22 , reported in the   this week.

He co-founded a non-profit organisation, , to help tackle the racial disparities between black students and other ethnicities within UK higher education.

George pioneered a service that connects professionals and executives with members of the network. George is also Head of Partnerships which involves communicating with top firms, including some within the Magic Circle law firms and Big Four accountancy/consultancy firms, as well as Russell Group universities.

The top 100 most Outstanding Black University Students in the UK., supported by Latham & Watkins, Standard Chartered and the University of Oxford, aims to provide ole models for younger students.

He said: “I am so thankful to have placed within the TOP 5 in the 2021/22 edition of Powerlist Magazine’s Future Leaders. It was really inspiring to see the initiative and work put in to celebrate the UK’s Top 100 Future Leaders of Afro-Caribbean heritage.

“I would also like to thank everyone behind the scenes who has supported me with the various projects I’ve been working on. As a result of their support I will have some exciting things to announce very soon!”

The collaboration between the three Greater Swag直播 universities using SafeZone technology from CriticalArc, enables security teams to provide faster response and assistance to their students and staff. The partnership builds on Swag直播’s and Salford’s reputations as safe and welcoming cities for students from across the UK and a favourite destination for international students.

The three individual universities have already deployed SafeZone within their own institutions. Now, with the formation of the Swag直播 SafeZone Alliance, security staff from each campus will provide reciprocal support to each other’s staff and students.

In the event of an emergency - including an accident, crime, or medical incident - help is available to SafeZone users at the press of a button. Using the SafeZone app on their phone, students and staff are directly connected to the appropriate safety and security team or first responder.

For example, if a University of Swag直播 student is walking home alone late at night through the Swag直播 Metropolitan University campus, that individual will have the peace of mind that dedicated university first responder teams are instantly accessible at the tap of a button via SafeZone, confirming who needs assistance, their precise location, and the type of incident. The nearest first responders will be notified and dispatched to the scene to provide an efficient response. Only when an individual calls for help, is the identity and location of that person shared with the university’s security team.

Director of Student Experience at Swag直播, Simon Merrywest, said: “Student and staff wellbeing is always the top priority for all three universities and we are pleased to put in place a technology solution that furthers this shared aim. Swag直播 and Salford have a long-standing reputation for being inclusive and welcoming destinations for students from around the world. This pioneering cross-city initiative serves to enhance the safety and wellbeing of our university community.”   

Darren Chalmers-Stevens, Managing Director of CriticalArc, said the introduction of the first furthered CriticalArc’s strategic objective to help customers extend safety and security across their wider communities to enhance the protection of millions of SafeZone users.

“We are delighted to be working with the University of Swag直播, Swag直播 Metropolitan University and University of Salford on this ground-breaking project to give added reassurance for thousands of students and staff. The SafeZone Alliance sets these Greater Swag直播 universities apart and demonstrates their commitment to the wellbeing of students and staff, beyond traditional, individual campus boundaries. We believe this alliance will prove to be a catalyst for game-changing cooperation between universities around the world.”

The increase from the previously announced two-week rent reduction, announced in an accommodation pledge last week (16 Nov), follows detailed discussions between the University, Students鈥� Union officers and elected student representatives from halls of residence. It acknowledges that the limited availability of some facilities due to national COVID-19 restrictions has had an impact on the student experience and the ongoing uncertainty about the return to campus arrangements in January.

The meetings also agreed to accelerate, wherever possible, action in other key areas, including:

• opening up more social and study spaces in halls, where this can be done in line with COVID-19 guidance;
• working together to develop a behaviour pledge, setting out expectations of student conduct in halls of residence during the pandemic;
• improvements in the reporting, tracking and resolution of maintenance issues;
• working together to enhance safety and security in halls of residence.

These actions, which will now become part of the accommodation pledge, will deliver improvements in student experience in our halls of residence, many of which will be put in place rapidly, though some will take a bit more time.

Further regular meetings will be taking place between the University and elected student representatives from halls of residence.

The University will be unable to provide further reductions, but students can decide to break their accommodation contract without financial penalty.

The rent reduction will be applied to direct debit payments in January 2021. Students who have paid for accommodation for the whole year will get a refund.

The offer of a 30% rent reduction was negotiated by the Students鈥� Union and endorsed by elected student representatives from across all halls of residence, many of whom had consulted other residents, in discussions with our Students鈥� Union officers. A majority (more than 90%) supported the proposal.

Although the in-person event cannot go ahead as planned due to coronavirus restrictions, runners  can now take part from anywhere in the world.

Particpants can  go for a run or walk at any time from 12 noon to 12 noon and submit their  GPS activity on our website to have their  distance counted towards the total. The students  aim to cover a total of 1407km, the distance from Lands End to John O'Groats.

James Bannister, President of the Run Wild Society, said: "It's a shame we aren't able to keep the same group running format as last year, however I'm very proud that we have found a way to run the event virtually and raise money for A Bed Every Night, at a time when they need more support than ever."

A provides a bed, warm welcome, and personal support for anyone who is sleeping rough or at imminent risk of sleeping rough in Greater Swag直播.

The Greater Swag直播 Mayor’s Charity is an independent charity supported and endorsed by the Mayor, Andy Burnham, with the aim of making a positive difference to major social issues we face, including rough sleeping.

The Greater Swag直播 Mayor’s Charity is the working name of The Mayor of Greater Swag直播’s Charity, a registered charity in England and Wales (1180418).

To donate, visit their  page and  for more information on how to get involved, visit their  . There will also be a Facebook event and you can  join in the fun by clicking 

The University is continuing to make the campus as safe as possible for staff, students and the local community. We all have a part to play by following the latest guidance, but nonetheless, we are still likely to see cases of COVID-19.  

We have been working with Public Health England and have robust plans in place to take action and support staff and students if we do see infections.  

A key part of our preparations has been to make sure students are clear on the COVID-19 guidance in place for Greater Swag直播. They have been sent regular messages and we have dedicated webpages in place to provide advice and guidance.

We are working in partnership with Swag直播 City Council, Greater Swag直播 Police, Swag直播 Student Homes and all Greater Swag直播 Universities to get messages to students through social media and door knocking campaigns. This group is also keeping the local community up to date on activity taking place.  

We know the vast majority of students are behaving responsibly and are sticking to the COVID-19 restrictions and we have been very clear that students must respect social distancing rules and other restrictions to keep themselves and the local community safe. If students do not comply, they will face disciplinary action from the University, which could lead to fines or expulsion, and we will not hesitate to involve the police if necessary.  

The measures we are taking are robust and in a number of cases exceed what is expected by government. On campus we are maintaining two-metre social distancing and have mandated the use of face coverings indoors, unless recognised exemptions apply. All lectures are being held online but staff and students will be on campus for small group teaching, practical classes, sports and using our library and study spaces. In many of our buildings we also put in place one way systems, cleaning stations and hand sanitiser throughout our buildings, and in our residences students have been assigned to specific households.  

We very much hope that this reassures you that should outbreak plans be needed they are in place and we are working with Public Health England on a daily basis to monitoring outbreaks and put in place the appropriate measure on campus and  in our residences. 

Prof Nalin Thakkar, Chair of the Campus Reopening Group, and Vice-President for Social Responsibility 

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, people across the country – and around the world – are doing what they can to help. Here at Swag直播, one student putting her skills to fantastic use is Olivia-Faye Dickinson.

With the University campus in shutdown, Olivia – a third-year Materials Science and Engineering with Textile Technology MEng student – has returned to her summer job in Lichfield, working as a seamstress at alteration shop Tudor Sew.

Alongside shop owner Tina, Olivia is voluntarily sewing scrubs for NHS staff in the local area – and is hoping to raise enough funds to buy the materials needed.

Olivia said: “Tina was contacted by a local hospital in a general email asking small businesses for help to supply simple things during this time. She then suggested we voluntarily sew scrubs at home and fundraise the money to buy the materials (one scrubs costs about £13 to make; materials-wise we need thread, fabric, washing labels and drawstring for the trousers), and the hospitals need hundreds during this time.

“Now I’m based away from campus I was onboard straightaway; I’m so glad to be able to use my skills to help. We have agreed with four local hospitals to donate our products to them: Burton Queens Hospital, Derby University Hospital, Samuel Johnson Lichfield and Robert Peel Tamworth.

“We have now been contacted by seamstresses we both know and don’t know to help, and have expanded into a group of 14 seamstresses and cutters. We’ve started on the main process of cutting and sewing the materials into their final design.

“Tina, myself and the other ladies have received messages from NHS workers – both friends of ours and strangers – thanking us for what we are doing.

“When my friend (a medical student from Swag直播) messaged me, it made it seem so much more real that some of my friends – as well as their friends – will benefit from this. Knowing that some NHS staff won’t be so ‘lucky’ to get scrubs is something I really want to prevent, and I’m so glad I can use my skills to do so.”

The project relies on donations in order to secure the materials and equipment needed to keep making the urgently-required NHS scrubs.

Swag直播 has a growing list of scientists and academics who are either working on aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak or can make a valuable contribution to the national discourse. Please checkout our . 

Our people are also  and with partners from across society to understand coronavirus (COVID-19) and its wide-ranging impacts on our lives.  to support the University’s response to coronavirus or visit the University’s  to lend a helping hand.

Swag直播 has been named the most targeted university by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers for the third year in a row, according to .

The Graduate Market in 2020 is an independent annual review of graduate vacancies and starting salaries at the UK’s leading employers. It is carried out by High Flyers Research.

This is the fifteenth year that the organisation has produced the independent assessment of the graduate job market. In that time, no other institution has been number one more frequently than Swag直播 or ranked as consistently amongst the top three.

This is just the latest graduate employment achievement for the University follows other recent successes. Swag直播 was named the University of the Year for Graduate Employment by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

It was also ranked in the top ten UK universities for overall graduate employability, alumni outcomes, employer reputations and partnerships with employers in the latest which lists more than 1,000 universities globally.

The  has moved up to 5th in the UK, 11th in Europe and 45th in the world in the Financial Times annual ranking of the 

The top ten universities targeted by the largest number of top graduate employers was Swag直播, Birmingham, Warwick, Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leeds, University College London, Sheffield and Oxford.

Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “I’m delighted that, once again, the University has retained its position as the most popular destination for the UK’s top employers to find the best and brightest graduates.

“As always, it demonstrates the immense amount of effort and hard work our students and graduates put into their studies and additional co-curricular activities that gives them the edge in the graduate employment market.”

High Fliers Research is an independent market research company which specialises in student and graduate research. The company also produces The UK Graduate Careers Survey, a comprehensive annual study of over 20,000 final year undergraduates at thirty-four leading universities, which is supported and funded by up to 75 national and international employers each year.

Tammy Goldfeld, Head of Careers and Employability at the University, said: “This is another great achievement for the University and our careers service. It also shows the huge effort a large network of academic and professional staff put into helping our students to succeed once they graduate.”

This year’s Winter Graduation saw the first five students from Ethiopia receive their awards and celebrate their academic achievements.

These were Aida Bayissa (MSc International Development), Binyam Andargie (MSc International Fashion Marketing), Brook Makonnen (MSc Environmental Governance)

Ruth Bezu (MSc International Development: Poverty, Inequality and Development) and

Yacob Tsegaye (MSc Communications and Signal Processing).

The Equity and Merit Scholarships are for academically excellent students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in their home countries.

Aida, who was attending the ceremony with her mother, said: “The graduation itself was great, oh yes. My mum was very proud. This was her first time in the UK and it was a great occasion to celebrate that.”

Now in its eleventh year, the has been awarded to nearly 300 students from Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, with Ethiopia being the latest country to benefit.

Whilst the positive aspects of the scholarship are apparent, it still leaves the recipients with a lot of sacrifices to make. For example, prior to gaining her scholarship, Aida had a successful career in policy at the Tony Blair Institute in Ethiopia, as well as already having a master’s in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.

She adds: “It was a really a big decision. I left a successful job and career in my home country. It took a lot of sacrifice, but I knew it was what I wanted to do. I had no hesitation once I knew my application had been successful. So, yes, it was a big decision but it was also an easy one in the end.”

Plus adapting to a new culture and country can also be challenge, but Aida says the friendly nature of the University and city itself helped her settle in: “Swag直播 is a very welcoming place. Of course there were some adjustments.

“The weather for example, I came in August when it was meant to be summer and it was raining, but that’s true Swag直播, right? But overall it was a very positive experience from the day I arrived. I’m very happy I chose to come here and have no regrets at all.”

However, had it not have been for a tweet on social media by a high profile member of university staff, Aida may have never applied to Swag直播 at all: “I saw the Equity and Merit Scholarship in a tweet by the Chancellor, Lemy Sissay. I follow him on social media due to his connections with Ethiopia and a charity I have worked with. Once I saw that it peaked my interest and the rest is history as they say.”

Aida now aims to use her extensive knowledge and varied skillset to set up her own policy-based consultancy that will work with governments and international agencies.

Joanne Jacobs, from the University’s International Office, oversees the Equity and Merit Scholarships, said: “Having the full cohort of Equity and Merit scholarships from Ethiopia attend our Winter Graduation is a really special occasion.

“Graduations are always a time of celebration and our Equity and Merit scholars really do change lives but that’s only because of the calibre of the recipients and the amount of hard work and effort they put in. That’s why it was such an honour to welcome them back.”

A unique new specialist NHS service in Greater Swag直播 will allow university students to get the help they need to overcome significant mental illness, an event will be told today (18 November).

The Greater Swag直播 university student mental health service pilot provides expert support for students who have complex health needs – giving them timely access to professional help for conditions including psychosis, depression, personality disorders and eating disorders.

It is intended to meet the increasing mental health of university students and prevent them “falling between the cracks” of university and NHS services at a time when they are often away from the support they may get at home.

Around 500 students a year are expected to use the £1.6m service, which is the result of a unique partnership in England between Greater Swag直播’s universities and the city region’s NHS.

An event is to be held today to mark the launch of the service at the beginning of the academic year.

Students will join the Mayor of Greater Swag直播 Andy Burnham, university leaders and the team of mental health professionals, who provide the service, for the event at the Whitworth Art Gallery, which is part of Swag直播, on Swag直播’s Oxford Road university corridor.

The Greater Swag直播 university student mental health service pilot is a partnership between:

• Swag直播
• Swag直播 Metropolitan University
• University of Salford
• University of Bolton
• Royal Northern College of Music
• Greater Swag直播 Health and Social Care Partnership

The service is provided by the Greater Swag直播 Mental Health Trust from a main clinic in the heart of Swag直播’s Oxford Road campus and satellite locations in Salford and Bolton.

The staffing team includes a consultant psychiatrist, a consultant psychologist, psychological therapists and mental health nurses. Around 40 students have already been seen by the service since the beginning of the autumn term.

Additional group therapy is provided by mental health charity 42^nd Street, while the Sick! Festival will also provide arts-based events to involve students.

The £1.6m cost of the service over 2019/20 and 2020/21 is being met by the universities and the Greater Swag直播 Health and Social Care Partnership, with additional funding from industry sponsors.

Greater Swag直播 is home to around 100,000 university students – the largest number of any city-region in England. The universities and the city region’s NHS agreed to create the service in order to help students to flourish and achieve their academic potential, while avoiding problems such as dropping out.

Students will receive a standard assessment from their university’s welfare service and, if appropriate, they will be referred on for more specialist intervention at the new centre.

As the mental health of a student improves, they will also be managed and supported by their University’s welfare service when the student has been discharged from NHS treatment.

University of Swag直播 student Zahra, who was among dozens of students to give their views about what the new service should provide, is to appear at the event in a short film.

She says in the film: “I think this service is really important to stop students dropping out of university due to struggling with their mental health. This service is a really important part in saying: ‘You can do this and we’ll support you while you are here.’ ”

President and Vice-Chancellor of Swag直播, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, added: “The mental health and wellbeing of our students is and always will be a top priority for us.

“Today’s students face all kinds of pressures and challenges in their lives. That is why it’s immensely important we identify and help those who may be struggling as soon as possible.

“This new and unique partnership will be at the heart of that process, benefitting not only our university’s students, but also hundreds of students a year from across the entire city-region.

“I am extremely pleased our university is playing a key role in the partnership. I hope the model becomes a beacon for the sector so it can be adopted and used to help students across the nation.”

Mayor of Greater Swag直播 Andy Burnham said: “Greater Swag直播 is using devolution to rethink and re-prioritise mental health support for young people.

“We recently became the first place to publish waiting time information for children and young people’s mental health, and introduced independent counselling into schools with our ground-breaking mental health support programme. We are now becoming the first place to introduce a new way of supporting university students.

“Our unique devolution deal gives us the ability to rethink the way we help young people navigate an increasingly complex world. The transition to university life can be tough for many students, with around one in five 16-24 year olds experiencing depression or anxiety, so I’m pleased that Greater Swag直播 is taking a national lead when it comes to mental health provision for students.

Professor Sandeep Ranote, children and young people’s mental health lead at Greater Swag直播 Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This service will complement universities’ wellbeing and welfare counselling services by coordinating care with our students and allowing them to move into specialist treatment when they need it without barriers, to be discharged safely as they get better, most importantly keeping their voice at the heart of their care.

“I am delighted that Greater Swag直播, a city of firsts, has seen this as a priority - enabling us to open a trailblazer dedicated mental health service for our region’s students.”

Neil Thwaite, chief executive of Greater Swag直播 Mental Health Trust, said: “Some students will need extra mental health support while they settle into independent living and their studies.

“Our dedicated team of professionals will be on hand to provide care and treatment to students who are referred by the universities’ wellbeing services and to students with pre-existing conditions.

“As a trust, we are proud to offer this bespoke mental health service to the university community of Greater Swag直播.”

Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor of Swag直播 Metropolitan University, said: “The health and wellbeing of our students is of the utmost importance. We want to ensure that students are supported to achieve their full potential while at university and are prepared for life after graduation. The centre will help to address the growing challenge of mental health and wellbeing among young people.

“The new partnership is a novel approach and delivered through collaborative working across local universities and the NHS. By utilising the knowledge within our wellbeing services and the connection with the regional NHS providers, it will deliver the best possible outcomes for students across Greater Swag直播.”

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, said: “We know that poor mental health and wellbeing can be a huge barrier to success, and we need to help break down that barrier for our students. With the launch of this innovative, sector-leading partnership, there is potential to change lives; providing more effective diagnosis and treatment at an early stage and helping all our students gain the skills to manage their own mental health so they are enabled and empowered to succeed.”

Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said: “The health and wellbeing of our students is our number one priority and this pioneering new service is another example of how we are striving to provide the best and most appropriate mental health support for them.”

Professor Linda Merrick, Principal of Royal Northern College of Music, said: “Training to be a professional musician takes dedication, commitment and sheer hard work. This, together with the day-to-day challenges associated with student life, means it is more important than ever that we provide the right support when it is most needed. We are extremely proud to be part of this exciting new partnership which we believe will have a positive impact on the mental health of our students.”

A team of students from have won an award for genetically modifying bacteria to produce kinder hair-dyes.

The eight students, with academic guidance from the , the , and the , genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to secrete proteins which could colour, repair, straighten, and fragrance hair.

For their work, they were awarded a gold medal in the (iGEM) competition. The focus of iGEM is to provide a synthetic biology-based solution to a real-world problem.

The project aimed to explore an alternative to current hair-dyes which use often harmful chemicals, leading to allergic reactions in users, as well as environmental damage if not disposed of properly. They can also cause bleaching and brittle hair, and have been tentatively suggested as a potential carcinogen.

“The initial idea,” said Elisa Barrow Molina, a third year biotechnology student, “came from an article we saw about how hair dyes could cause alarming reactions in some users.”

The students genetically modified a strain of E. coli which naturally adheres to hair to secrete a dye, replacing the use of potential pollutant and carcinogens.

After this initial idea, they also realised they could modify the bacteria to secrete other products, such as proteins to repair hair, and compounds to fragrance it. Through experiments, the students showed that their engineered bacteria were resilient when exposed to stresses such as chlorine or shampoo.

They encountered several challenges during the process, though the biggest one “depends on who you ask!”, as the division of labour meant they were all meeting and overcoming different headaches during their work.

Camilo Albornoz Carranza, a third year neuroscientist, says; “The synthetic biology was out of my comfort zone, but winning a gold medal vindicates all the work we put in.”

On this note, the students are all in agreement. “This shows we did something worthwhile,” they say, considering it justification for the three months of lab work they put in over the summer. The award from iGEM “closes the chapter”, says Elisa.

“That’s the thing about iGEM,” adds Sophie Guillemot, a third year chemist, “it’s about bringing ideas to the table and leaving them for the next team to develop further.”

While they are not currently planning to commercialise the bacteria, the students also carefully considered potential safety concerns should their product ever make it to market. To address these, the students designed and computationally modelled two genetic ‘kill-switches’, which would prevent the engineered bacteria either surviving away from hair, or developing pathogenicity.

“In ten or twenty years,” notes second year molecular biologist Thomas Harrison, “I think genetically modified bacteria will be part of our lives on a very intimate, primary level.”

The project was initially financed by the University, but the students also sought out sponsors and private donors. They also consulted with the public and hair care experts, which resulted in the introduction of a straightening protein to their final design, as well as the exploration of a large range of colours.

Going forward, the team plan to focus on their individual degrees. For some of them, the iGEM project has helped them to decide where they would like to work in the future. Mujtaba Ansari, a third year biotechnology student, says; “By participating, I’ve discovered that I really like research and lab work, and it’s definitely something I’d like to do in the future.”

Prof Eriko Takano, supervisor of the iGEM team says “We are now looking for enthusiastic students to join the next year’s team. This is a great opportunity, not just for biology students but for students from all faculties who want to explore the revolutionary impact of new technologies and push their skills to new limits”.

University of Swag直播 students will 鈥媌别 raising money for a homelessness charity by running non-stop for 24 hours.

The Run Wild Society are hosting the 24 Hour relay on 13 November to raise money for the Greater Swag直播 Mayor's Charity in support of the Bed Every Night Scheme.

The scheme provides a bed, a warm welcome and personal support for rough sleepers who cannot access other accommodation.

The Swag直播 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness consists of 5KM laps, completed in groups, and running at a comfortable pace for everyone present.

The challenge will start at 12 noon outside the University of Swag直播 Students' Union and head into the city centre and finish .

Each runner can take part in as many laps as they want, and the organisers say they aim to start 1 lap within each 30-minute window.

There will also be a  and anyone who wants to donate can visit the Society’s Just Giving .

President of the Run Wild Society, student Thomas Lewis says if runners can also donate clothes or any essential items on the day, they’ll pass them on to local homeless shelters.

He said: “We’re really excited about this challenge. Not only will it be a lot of fun, it will also raise awareness and provide real help to homeless people struggling on the streets of our city.

“We think no one should have to sleep rough on the streets of Greater Swag直播 – especially as winter is about to set in.

“If you like running – and it doesn’t matter how fast you are – then please do join us. See you on November 13."