Success Magazine - Issue Eleven 2012 Layout 1 12/11/2012 08:56 Page 1 Succissue Eleven Autumn 2012

6250_Success Magazine - Issue eleven 2012_Layout 1 12/11/2012 08:56 Page 1 SuccIssue eleven autumn 2012 www.mmu.ac.ukess

Inspiring future generations Multiple Paralympic gold medal winner Sarah Storey OBE

Opinion Working with Business Research & Innovation Meet Our Alumni Sir Howard Bernstein, How the University Research that could Graduates talk CEO of Manchester and businesses are affect the future of about their careers, City Council working together computing influences and inspirations 6250_Success Magazine - Issue eleven 2012_Layout 1 12/11/2012 08:56 Page 2

Contents

Foreword L to R: Andy Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Sarah Storey OBE, Barney Storey MBE, Dennis Dunn, Dean of MMU Cheshire, P10 P1 Professor John Brooks, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University News

P2 Round-up of news from across the University Opinion

P6 Dianne Thompson, chief executive of Camelot and University chancellor and Manchester City Council’s CEO, Sir Howard Bernstein Honorands

P8 Honorary doctorates awarded by MMU in 2012 Sarah Storey Alumni at MMU Cheshire’s Birley Fields campus, P2 centenary celebrations, P4 P10 Paralympian’s recent successes Working with Business

P12 Alumni ambassador Nicola Waller, head of food at Selfridges Placement scheme providing work experience for students Expertise for businesses from MMU Research and Innovation

P15 Knowledge Transfer Partnership between MMU Cheshire and South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Miriam Jones’ jewellery, P20 The future of computing? New Britain Palm Oil product research Postgraduate Study

P18 Recent students on the benefits of postgraduate study Student Successes

P20 Prize-winning students Meet Our Alumni Success P21 Exhibition featuring three MMU alumni Issue eleven autumn 2012 Editor Primary school teachers - Rachel Charnock Success is published by Manchester Writers - Kat Dibbits Welsh Rugby physiotherapist and Metropolitan University Gareth Hollyman Liverpool Playhouse playwright Design - Steve Kelly Vice-Chancellor Events Photography - Ade Hunter Professor John Brooks P24 Programme of events at the Contact us - [email protected] University’s venues

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from Manchester Metropolitan University 6250_Success Magazine - Issue eleven 2012_Layout 1 12/11/2012 08:56 Page 1

Foreword

his issue of Success arrives T as we reflect upon our first Meeting the student recruitment period since the raising of university fees.

Across UK universities, we see 54,000 expectations of fewer enrolments than last year with many leaving it late to decide not to enter university this time around. the free market Thankfully we have not seen a disproportionate reduction of students from low-income families and this must be in part due to our robust wi dening employability and our various working huge contribution to the success of the participation agenda which includes with business schemes, which are Paralympic Games - a truly ‘golden’ our offer of more bursaries to more reported inside this issue. performance to complement our now students than any UK university. Investors in People Gold award. We continue to invest in our physical Perhaps more importantly, the quality of estate and I hope that you are as I hope that you enjoy reading our our students continues to rise, including excited as I am about the start of Success magazine, which highlights a record number of A-grade students, building work at our new Manchester just some of the exciting achievements and this bodes well for the future. campus at Birley Fields and our soon- of our students, staff and alumni. to-open new facilities for the The economy continues to be in Manchester School of Art. By 2014 we recession and we must do all that we will have a truly world-class campus for can to stimulate our local economy all of our staff and students. and to protect employment. Our clear prior ity is to give our graduates We also need to continue to challenge Professor John Brooks improved choices within an increasingly and motivate our staff, and we need Vice-Chancellor competitive employment market. In this outstanding role models. In this edition, Manchester Metropolitan University context, I am proud of our work on you can read about Sarah Storey’s

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News City welcomes fantastic Hulme campus

ir Richard Leese, leader of S Manchester City Council, says the University’s £139m Birley Fields campus is the “final major building block in one of the UK’s most successful regeneration projects.”

After decades of investment in housing and regeneration, it is hoped the new Manchester Metropolitan University campus will be an active centre piece for the community - a heart for Hulme, he said.

Speaking as the digger s moved in to begin the major two-year project, Sir Richard said: “Where we are now stood was one of the worst housing areas in Europe, it was unliveable.

“Now people have come back to Hulme and it is a place and a story that the people of Manchester can be proud of. Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Brooks, “We’ve seen what MMU have done with said the campus which replaces MMU their new Business School and here campuses in Didsbury and Rusholme the city will have another world-class would be environmentally sustainable and resource, this one for nurs ing, teacher highly innovative with electric car ‘pumps’, training, social work and the health novel heat generation and enviro- professions.” townhouses for student residences. Professor John Brooks at the controls with Richard McAlpine, Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein.

placed us in the top one-and-a-h alf per Together, he said, we were creating a cent of organisations in the UK for new MMU; putting service to students at developing its employees. the top of the agenda, academically and with new campuses and facilities. anchester Metropolitan Around 600 colleagues from all five University is “world-class” and campuses gathered at the Business “Continuous change will be the norm Mat the “cutting edge in people School and Student Hub to celebrate from now on; the market for higher management”, according to the UK the award with champagne and a huge education has changed forever and we Investors in People organisation. team cake. are rising to new challenges.

Chris Jones, head of IiP operations Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Brooks, “IiP has been immensely helpful North West, was fulsome in his praise of said: “I didn’t honestly think that we because you cannot be successful the University as he presented the Gold would achieve the Gold, and to do so unless your people u nderstand change award at a recent celebration event. was a wonderful surprise. It is an and buy into its benefits.” Mr Jones said MMU was the largest enormous achievement and one of my university to achieve the standard and pr oudest moments as Vice-Chancellor.”

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Goldman Sachs SME growth scheme

Cheshire entrepreneur David Forrest is realising his dream of the big time after being part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses growth scheme at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Business School.

David’s company, Compliance Control Ltd, specialises in quality and compliance consultancy and software solutions in the pharmaceutical and medical sector, and he has been quick to cre dit the scheme for helping to turn his product into a real money-spinner.

David and his funders believe his latest software could be a game-changer for SMEs, reducing the risk and cost of non-compliance and allowing them to focus on R&D and sales.

With backing of £350,000 from the NW Business and Law combine Fund for Biomedical, and the Technology Strategy Board, the Northwich-based firm rofessionals from all over the University’s strategic vision: “The can fully scale-up the software and pursue P North West gave the new facilities for students are mind-blowing,” a strong marketing and sales campaign. Business School and Student said David Fox of John Smith’s Group. Hub their seal of approval at a special “This building is a real statement of “I would not even have considered event in September. intent, a demonstration of confidence in speaking to venture capitalists if I had the future.” not done the course,” says David. Around 200 business people came to see the new building and celebrate the newly Drinks and canapés were served giving “The financiers and entrepreneurs formed Faculty of Business and Law. guests the chance to network before invited gave me the idea about applying for grants, while the course gave me the being welcomed by Professor Ruth knowledge of finance to understand the Representatives attended from dozens Ashford, Dean of Business and Law, best choices for my business.” of professional partners, from and then listen to the keynote speech multinationals to SMEs, along with by marketing guru Dr Dave Chaffey. 10,000 Small Businesses is a free organisations such as t he Chartered programme of support for companies Institute of Marketing and the Ruth said: “I was delighted to welcome with high gr owth potential, offering Federation of Small Businesses, with so many members of the North-West management training, workplace many saying how impressed they were business community into our new coaching and peer networking. with the facilities: “It’s an absolutely world-class building. It’s a significant stunning building,” said Eamonn Bell of investment in our aim to be a leading Programme director Jonathan Lawson Campanile Hotels. modern business and law school - and said: “David’s story shows that with the working with commercial partners is a right knowledge, and a little support any “I’m a cynical person,” said John vital part of this.” great business can get the funding it Buckley from the Federation of Small needs to really grow.” Businesses, “but I’d struggle to find MMU is the provider for the Goldman anything wrong with it. It’s fantastic for “This building is a real Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses MMU and is miles ahead of anything any programme for the North West. To be other universities in the area have got.” statement of intent, considered for the scheme, visit a demonstration of www.10ksbn w.co.uk or email Others commented on the significance (Lucy Edgar) at [email protected] of the building in terms of the confidence in the future.”

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News Top ten Thumbs up Centenary green from students celebrations

ranking he University has returned one at Cheshire T of the biggest improvements in anchester Metropolitan student satisfaction in the UK. campus University is celebrating M The 2012 National Stu dent Survey after being named in the week-long celebration at the showed a 6% jump in students giving UK’s top ten greenest universities. Manchester Metropolitan MMU the ‘thumbs up’ for teaching A University campus in quality, facilities, support, management Cheshire marked 100 years of and other key performance criteria. education on the Crewe site. Professor Kevin Bonnett, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Student Experience) said Events included a gala dinner, where MMU was on the road to even better record-breaking Paralympian Sarah scores: “We have achieved massive Storey and her husband, Barney, were progress in online information and guests of honour, and visits from The University is now ranked 10th out of learning resources, and when you bear alumni, some of whom stud ied on the 145 universities in the People & Planet in mind that key changes, such as in site in the 1950s when it was Crewe Green League 2012. timetabling and the curriculum are yet to College of Education. have an impact, we are confident that Ben Atkins, President of MMU Student we can score even higher next year.” Union said: “It is great to see the University at the forefront when pushing Overall, 26 departments improved their this agenda on a national scale.” results and top performers, scoring 90% or more, were: Human Resource and Since 2005, MMU has shrunk its Sport Management (Business & Law) ca rbon footprint by 18.5% investing with 100%; English (Humanities, heavily in carbon reduction projects: Languages and Social Science) with ‘green buildings’, recycling, travel and 94%; Accountancy & Finance (Business & Law) with 92%; and Nursing (Health, solar energy. Psychology and Social Care) with 90%. The audit of all 145 UK universities saw Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Brooks, Adam Shilton MMU score maximum marks for said: “We have closed the gap on the environmental policy, environmental sector, but enhancing the quality of Students and graduates showcased management, curriculum, and staff and classroom teaching further will be an their work, which included the premiere student engagement. absolute priority for the coming year.” of former soldier Adam Shilton’s piece for brass band, Through the Pink Mist, Louise Hazan, lead researcher for which is based on the life of US Marine, People & Planet, said: “This year's results Eugene B Sledge, and influenced by show how universities are increasingly his own time serving on the front line aware that going green both helps save in Basra. money and enhances the quality of education they can offer their students. There were also numerous academic debates, including one explorin g the “The likes of MMU have set a new PhD novel, and another looking at the benchmark for sustainability, shifting And he urged departments to share and importance of imagination in education. away from ‘business as usual’ to help learn: “We have many departments deliver a skilled low carbon economy for where the perceived quality of teaching the future.” exceeds the sector average, so we need to learn from our best.”

The Univers ity also rose 10 places in the 2012 Sunday Times university league table.

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riots, with some newspapers dubbing it Languages, Linguistics & TEFL Investigating ‘Jafaican’, meaning ‘fake Jamaican’. is one of the departments within the Rob says that this particular variety of Faculty of Humanities, Languages and youth speak the language is often misunderstood, Social Science. with many adults thinking it is simply www.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/languages in Manchester being ‘put on’, while young people are unaware of the effects it can have on inguistics lecturer Rob the way they are perceived. Drummond has been awarded L Rob said: “Possible barriers include a grant to investigate the growth of ‘multicultural Manchester being judged by teachers and police who English’ across the city. make the rather dangerous link between the way people speak and criminality. The £3,000 Research Accelerator Grant, awarded by MMU, will help fund the study. “The more people know about language variation and language change the Multicultural Manchester English, like its better able they are to clear up any London counterpart, is the variety of misunderstanding and speech adopted by many young people miscommunication.” across the city which incorporates several different ethnically marked features. Rob will be speaking to local school- children and also asking them to record The dialect was the focus of much their own conversations fo r analysis. media coverage following last summer’s The research will finish in January. Rob Drummond Art debut for Manchester icon

ast summer, the University L hosted the first exhibition by Manchester icon Richard Creme, four years after he suffered a devastating stroke.

Richard, who is credited with bringing designer fashion brands to the city in the Eighties, lost the ability to speak when he suffered a stroke, aged 50. Suffering from depression and unable to continue with his work at his shop, Creme, he turned to painting to express himself.

Arts for Health director Clive Parkinson converse in sentences. He passionately Gary Oldman, David Bowie and Prince, explained that the exhibition came wanted his drawings and paintings as well as most of Manchester United. about through a meeting with the Stroke to be exhibited and talking with the Association to discuss the arts. curators of the Link Gallery - Elisa Arts for Health at MMU is the UK's Artesero and Roger Bygott - it quickly longest established arts and health Clive said: “Richard is an e xtremely became apparent that we ha d expertise organisation. With specialism in elegant man but the stroke has affected to make it happen sooner rather research, advocacy and development, it the right-hand side of his body and than later.” works with a range of partners to better taken away his ability for word-finding understand the impact of cr eativity, and speech, leaving him with a million In his heyday, Richard dressed culture and the arts on health and well- thoughts and ideas, but unable to celebrities including David Beckham, being. www.artsforhealth.org

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Opinion Fulfilling potential

Camelot CEO and University Chancellor, Dianne Thompson CBE, explains why a university education can change lives.

y day job is running People like me didn’t go to college, We need organisations to offer paid and M Camelot, the operator of didn’t become university lecturers and voluntary, short-term (two to six weeks) the National Lottery, but I certainly didn’t go on to lead multi- and longer-term (three to six month) am also immensely proud of my role billion pound turnover companies, placements to our students so that as Chancellor of this University. but thanks to MMU, I did. they can learn from your experience and expertise. I’m proud that it has its feet firmly The University - Manchester Polytechnic planted in the real world, with its strong as it was then - opened so many doors And with more than 1,850 of our bias towards giving graduates the best for me. It opened my eyes too. students spending a year on a possible start in the world of work. Each sandwich placement, we are always year, 90% of our graduates go straight It made me see what was possible. looking for more openings. into work or further study within six months And that’s what I want for every one of graduation. That’s a fantastic record of our students - whatever their Then, of course, there are job s for our in recessionary times like these. background. graduates. We see ourselves as providers of talent to this region with I am also incredibly proud of the fact Part of my role as Chancellor is to over 70% of our graduates choosing to that more than 44 per cent of our support the University and make make their careers in the North West students come from low-income connections that help our students - every year. backgrounds - and that we give more and to do this, I recently accepted the money in bursaries and scholarship role of patron of the University’s So the next time you receive a packages to more of them than any fundraising working group. With higher communication from MMU, or a job other university in the UK. tuition fees comes a responsibility for all application from one of our students or of us to do more to help academically graduates, open it, read it and be I see myself in those students: my dad able students to attend universities like prepared to go the extra mile and get was a butcher and my mum worked in a MMU and lead successful lives - and involved. We want to help as many able shoe shop. I had a really happy childhood, there are a nu mber of practical ways in students as we can, from all but we didn’t have much money. which you can be involved. backgrounds, to fulfil their potential.

Dianne Thompson CBE graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in French and English, was a Business School Lecturer in the 1980s and was appointed CEO of Camelot in 2000. In 2011 Dianne became the third Chancellor of MMU. To get involved in any of the ways Dianne mentions, please email [email protected].

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Expansion for a city bucking the trend Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council.

espite the gloomy economic The campus development will also “The Birley Fields Dclimate in the country at large, generate some more immediate campus represents there’s been much good news benefits. for Manchester. In September, I a major boost to attended the groundbreaking ceremony The Birley Fields campus represents for the new Manchester Metropolitan a major boost to construction in const ruction in University campus in Hulme. Manchester. Valued a t £139m, it makes it one of the biggest regeneration Manchester.” Under Vice-Chancellor, Professor John projects in the North West. Brooks, MMU has firmly established itself as one of the best universities in the UK. It represents jobs for hundreds of people. MMU has promised that at It’s a real Manchester success story. least a tenth will be employed from the Although a ‘new’ university, MMU traces immediate area. It also sends out the its roots back to the early 19th century as signal that Manchester is committed to part of the Mechanics Institute and the ensuring that we have the highest Manchester School of Design. As well as possible standard of academic being one of the biggest universities in infrastructure. the UK, its teaching standards are amongst the highest in the country. One of the keys to our city’s success is Teaching quality inspections put the that we have the largest student University in the top 20 of the UK. population in Europe.

The new campus is the final and largest As the students returned to the city part of a £350m capital investment after the summer break, you could programme and w ill house the Faculty clearly see that their presence here of Education and Faculty of Health, keeps our city young and vibrant. And Psychology and Social Care. More than our world-class universities also help 5,000 students will study on the site, Manchester maintain its global with more than 1,200 making Hulme reputation. Some of the country’s, and their home in a combination of the world’s, brightest come here to traditional halls and town houses. study and fall in love with the city, even if they don’t stay at the conclusion of This is great news for Hulme, as the their stu dies. And it gives us a University has pledged that it will be a knowledge base that is second to none, campus that will be open to all, with allied with a competitive edge that helps high quality public realm. ensure that we remain the UK’s highest ranked global city outside London. MMU has a commitment to become part of Hulme’s community, wholly integrated The Birley Fields campus is an exciting and making a positive difference to the development and exactly the kind of area as well as employing local people. project the city needs. Hulme’s transformation has been a long process, but also a successful one - Find out more about the Birley Fields setting the standard for elsewhere in campus at: the country. www.mmu.ac.uk/birleyfields

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Honorands 2012

Graduation ceromony at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester

ight notable names were given She said: “This award is incredibly E honorary degrees from the special as the school holds a special University this year to place in my heart. Thank you to recognise their achievements in Manchester Metropolitan University for business, charity and the Arts. recognising my achievements and for awarding me with an honorary degree.” Sir Rod Aldridge, the founder of She was given the title of Doctor of Capita and chairman of The Aldridge Arts at the graduation ceremony for Foundation, which encourages young the Department of Clothing, Design people to create their own social and Technology. change, became a Doctor of Business Administration from the Faculty of Education. “Thank you to Sarah Burton OBE, who is creative Manchester director of the fashion brand Alexander McQueen, studied Art Foundation at Metropolitan Manchester Polytechnic before going on to Central St Martins, in London. She is University for known as the designer who created the recognising my wedding dress for Catherine, HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, and has also achievements and created dresses for Michelle Obama, for awarding me with Cate Blanchett, Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow, and was named an honorary degree.” Designer of the Year at the 2011 British Fashion Awards. Sarah Burton

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Guy Garvey, singer with the Mercury Martin Narey, former Barnardo’s Prize-winning band Elbow, became an chief executive, received a Doctorate of honorary Doctor of Arts at the Letters from the Faculty of Education. graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Art and Design. Garvey, who is also Nare y, who was born in known for presenting a show on BBC Middlesborough and studied at Radio 6 Music, met his bandmates Sheffield Polytechnic, started his career while studying in his hometown of Bury. in the NHS before joining the prison service in 1982. He held his position at He said: “I’m one of seven kids and the Barnardo’s from 2005 to 2011, and was only one that didn’t go to university as I appointed as the ministerial adviser on decided to stay in the band. My mum adoption last year. stuck a picture of me singing on the degree wall at home many years ago, Mr Narey said: “As a graduate of one of but now I can finally join the clan the old polytechnics I have watched wearing the right outfit. their growth and success in recent decades with real interest. There ear “The young people that come to lots of success stories, but none more Manchester and Salford to be educated, so than at this University which has teach or research are the life blood that grown to be the third biggest university keeps this city’s heart pumping. I know in the UK and with an international many tutors and students from MMU reputation. So it is an immense privilege and know what an amazing university it for me to be recognised with an is. I’m thrilled and very proud to be honorary doctorate.” “I know many tutors honoured by them in this way.” Lord Smith of Leigh, who has been and students from Gethin Jones best know as a television the leader of Wigan Council since 1991, star, became a Doctor of Science. became a Doctor of Laws at the MMU and know what ceremony for the Faculty of Humanities, Gethin studied Economics and Languages and S ocial Science. an amazing university Geography at the University, graduating it is. I’m thrilled and in 1999. He started his media career For many years Lord Smith worked to presenting children’s programmes for improve life for people living in the North very proud to be Welsh channel S4C, before moving on West of England and expanded the role to join Blue Peter in 2005, and has since of the Greater Manchester city region by honoured by them become one of the most popular faces sitting on the board of the North West in this way.” on television, coming third in the 2007 Regional Assembly, where he was chair BBC series of Strictly Come Danci ng. from 1999 to 2000, and sat on the Guy Garvey Executive Board until the organisation He said: “It is an absolute privilege to was wound up in 2009. receive this honorary degree from my Professor Richard Thorpe university. The time I spent at MMU was He was made a Lord in 1999, in one of the best periods of my life and recognition of his work in local prepared me in the best way for gover nment, and was awarded everything that has followed.” Freedom of the Borough of Wigan last year. Mike Leigh OBE, award-winning filmmaker became a Doctor of Arts at the Professor Richard Thorpe was graduation ceremony for the Department honoured by the Business School, of Contemporary Arts, part of the MMU becoming a Doctor of Business Cheshire Faculty based in Crewe. Administration in recognition of his work across the country. Leigh, who was born in Welwyn but spent much of his childhood in Salford where Professor Thorpe spent nearly 20 years he attended Salford Grammar School, working at the University where he led is known for his films including Vera the development of a new MBA and Drake, Life is Sweet and Topsy Turvy. was instrumental in the creation of the doctoral programme for the Faculty of He won the Best Director award at Management and Business, which has Cannes for Naked in 1993 and the now become the Business School. Palme d'Or in 1996 for Secrets & Lies.

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Inspiring future generations

Paralympian Sarah Storey OBE talks to Success magazine about her recent successes and how her training regime was boosted by the facilities at MMU Cheshire.

he has 11 gold medals and is she won two golds, three silvers and a “Cycling sessions tend to vary in length a S being tipped for a damehood bronze, and at subsequent Paralympics great deal more than in swimming, and in this year’s New Year’s went on to win a total of five gold we produce power in a much greater Honours List. medals in the pool. range in cycling, compared to swimming and our energy systems are far more But MMU honorary graduate Sarah Following a recurrent ear infection targeted from one session to another.” Storey’s achievement is made all the she switched disciplines, and at her more remarkable because her clean first Paralympics as a cyclist, in Beijing At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, sweep in this year’s Paralympic cycling in 2008, came away with two gold Sarah won four gold medals - one in events was in her ‘second’ sport. medals. every event she took part in - making her a mong the most successful Sarah started her athletic career as a While psychologically Sarah says there Paralympians of all time. swimmer, and first competed at the are several similarities in training for the Barcelona Paralympic Games in 1992, two sports, physically she says they are And she said that her success would aged just 14. Despite her tender age, very different. not have been possible without the

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support of MMU Cheshire, where she Sarah was born without a functioning London, I will have a busy period did much of her training in the run-up to left hand after her arm became tangled between now and Rio trying to defend the Games. in the umbilical cord in the womb, yet those titles, or win them back if I lose this year she not only obliterated the them at any point.” To achieve peak fitness, Sarah trained opposition at the Paralympics, she also three times a week at the Crewe only missed out on a place in the Despite having won so many gold campus in the Department for Exercise able-bodied Olympic team pursuit by medals, she is not resting on her laurels and Sport Science altitude chamber, a whisker. and says there are plenty of goals which which she said made an “incredible remain for her. difference” to her athletic performance. But it has not always been plain sailing, and she has in the past spoken about “In time trial events, as so many of my The altitude chamber works by putting the schoolyard bullies who made her life events are, there are always timed goals the body under stress which in turn difficult following her return from her first to aim for,” she said. “Gold medals are improves the aerobic capacity - meaning victorious Games. Happily however, she the outcome goal at the end of a list of Sarah could cycle faster and for longer has put those experiences behind her, and process goals and so by focusing on before the effects of fatigue kicked in. says they made her a stronger person. the things you can control - like the time you ride, or the power you produce - you She said: “Being able to access the Sarah and Barney Storey can always improve your performance. altitude chamber was a real bonus and gave me such an advantage to “I’ve always measured achievement by my training. It helped me become far how well I have done compared to the more efficient and there is no doubt that last time I raced and would hope to be the winning margins in all my events an international level athlete for as long would have been less without that as that is physically possible. I still have altitude exposure. the a mbition to make myself faster and stronger.” “Having a facility like that on my doorstep meant that I didn't have to And that ambition will hopefully be factor in training camps away from my realised with the continuing support of racing season and this also proved to MMU Cheshire. be an added bonus as I didn't have to miss any critical races either.” “The University has been incredibly supportive and the links we have here Sarah, who along with her husband, with Dennis Dunn and John Brooks are fellow cyclist Barney Storey MBE, was very special to both Barney and I,” said given an honorary doctorate by MMU “I am very proud that Sarah. “The facilities are world-class Cheshire in 2009, completed a clean my first engagement and the altitude chamber has sweep in the C5 Pursuit, the Time Trial transformed my training. C4-5 500m, the Individual Road Time after the Games was Trial C5 and th e Individual Road Race at MMU Cheshire. It “I’ve got to sit down with my coach and C4-5 and took her tally of gold medals work out the plan of attack for 2013 but to 11 - putting her equal with sporting was very fitting” Rio is the end goal. You work in four- legends Baroness Tanni Grey- year cycles so we will be putting Thompson and Dave Roberts CBE. “That really is all in the past,” she said. together a plan for that. The most “I guess that it g ives me empathy with important thing after such a big year is And following her historic win, Sarah other school children who are going to make sure you recover sufficiently, so saved her first glass of champagne to through a similar experience and gives I am not rushing into anything other share with the Dean of MMU Cheshire, me the ability to be able to tell them to than light training!” Dennis Dunn, and the team before be strong and that it won't last forever. flying to St Lucia with Barney for a well- I followed the dream I had and ignored For those who hope to follow in her earned rest. the bullies, so it turned out well in footsteps, Sarah has some simple the end.” advice: “Always give your best and She said: “I’m not sure that life has make sure you enjoy it. There is no returned to normal yet, but it has been an Her next goal is the World shortcut and it won't be easy, so amazing time with so many events to go Championships in 2013, at which she unless you give your best you won't to and people to see! I am very proud will be competing with one eye on have a hope of being able to enjoy that my first engagement after the Games Rio 2016. Sarah said: “As defending it because you will know you are was at MMU Cheshire. It was very fitting.” champion in all four events that I won in cheating yourself.”

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Working with Business Food for thought

Alumni ambassador Nicola Waller talks to Success about Tobasco chocolate, gingerbread houses and how she got to be head of food at Selfridges.

Nicola started her career with fish, and from des serts and juice to Sainsbury’s as a trainee buyer, after a fresh fruit - I learnt a lot.” icola Waller loves her job. placement in her second year led to the From negotiating the rights to supermarket giant offering her “Of all the people I N Selfridges’ exclusive Olympic sponsorship through her final year and have come across in Gold Coke bottle to discovering a guaranteed job on graduation. delicious Tobasco chocolate from a the industry I really tiny supplier in America, no two days She says that getting work experien ce think the degree I are the same when you are running and networking are vital for graduates the food operations for the global that want to get ahead in the job studied has been the department store of the year. market: “I was lucky, but it just shows how important placements and work most relevant.” “Food retailing is very fast-paced and experience can be. My advice to any dynamic,” Nicola says. “One minute I student or graduate out there is to get Nicola decided to become an alumni can be negotiating with one of the as much experience as possible and ambassador as she feels passionately world’s biggest brands and the next I’m don’t be afraid to start at the bottom - that the degree she did was such a planning a PR campaign where people any experience is better than none.” good one and wanted to help other can have a model of their house made students starting out: “I’d tell anyone in gingerbread. I love the variety.” After four years with Sainsbury’s, Nicola who thinks they could be an alumni moved to Safeway where she learnt a ambassador to just do it. Having worked in the industry since lot about buying branded products and “It takes so little of your time in getting a degree in Retail Marketing in worked her way up from buying crisps comparison to what we got out of our 1992, Nicola says barely a day has gone and nuts to being category manager of degrees and our time in Manchester by when she has not used something frozen foods. and if people out there have the skill set she learnt on her course: “I used to sit in to help graduates starting out, there’s retail law lectures wondering what I was From there she moved to Marks and no reason not to.” doing there, but it was so useful. Spencer where she spent ten years working across the British retail giant’s To find out more about becoming an “My degree set me up for a career in retail. food department, something she says alumni ambassador, please contact Of all the people I have come across in was invaluable experience: “I loved the Alumni and Development Office the industry I really think the degree I every minute. I worked in all sorts of at [email protected]. studied has been the most relevant.” areas from delicatessen to pies and

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new scheme from MMU will A give recent graduates the opportunity to gain some all- important work experience – and potentially a new job.

Jake Helm And in turn, businesses in the North West will benefit from financial assistance to allow them to take on skilled and educated graduates as interns.

The £100,000 GradMatchMMU project will create 100 paid internships for students who graduated in 2012 but have been unable to find work. They will be placed within small and medium businesses in the North West for a minimum of eight weeks. Graduates Graduates who are no longer studying but have managed to find part-time work will also be eligible for the scheme, as will helped to EU, international and Masters graduates.

It is hoped that the project will lead to longer-term or permanent employment meet their for the participating graduates. Rita Lewin, Head of S tudent perfect match Employability and Success and Deputy Director of Student Services, said: “We are really excited about our new project, GradMatchMMU, and the positive Success finds out about a new placement scheme impact it will have on supporting our at the University for recent graduates - and recent graduates and businesses within talks to 2012 graduate, Jake Helm, who found the North West. his perfect job following a student placement. “MMU takes the employability of graduates very seriously and giving Colin Barnes, from Barnes Walker, says he will stay here. I think two or three of the them support in getting high quality that the placement system is a popular people here have done placements and experience of the graduate labour one at his company which often leads to carried on and it’s a pattern that works market via a paid internsh ip is one way an offer of permanent employment: “The well. Almost everybody in the company of doing this.” company likes supporting the course. It’s was a student at MMU and we now good for the course to have interaction have 10 working with us.” Current MA Landscape Architecture with businesses, and because of that we student, Jake Helm, found work at gain from having good quality students He added: “Traditionally people had landscape design consultancy Barnes join us, and we then recruit from the apprenticeships. If you look back, an Walker following a placement, and says university too. The University does a architect would become an architect the idea of targeting smaller companies good job of matching students to what by being an apprentice, learning very helps interns be more successful. we do and the fact we are known at basic skills, so this placement model MMU means we will have good is good.” “If you work at a smaller company you students, so we have good symbiosis. are working with decision makers Anyone interested in taking part directly - in a big multinational it’s not “As we see from Jake, he came to us for a should contact Freya Marshall on the people in your office who make a three-month placement and he has now +44 (0)161 247 6512 or at decision, ” he said. “You need been with us for nine months. He’ll be [email protected]. experience to get the job nowadays.” with us for another year and if it works out,

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Working with Business Funding Business innovation expertise MU has a strong history of M making a positive impact on growth and success in companies and organisations in the North West.

And potential partnerships have become twice as attractive with the announcement of two types of grant - the Innovation Voucher Scheme and the Knowledge Exchange Innovation Fund (KEIF). Innovation Voucher Scheme An Innovation Voucher is financial support for a particular idea or innovation and is available to any small or medium enterprise wh ich wants to Mark Ratcliffe work with external experts.

Vouchers to the value of £5,000 will initially be available to businesses working on new ideas in three areas: agrifood, built environment, and space technology. Manchester Metropolitan University is Apply online at www.innovateuk.org/competitions strengthening its offer to business with a new or call the helpline for guidance on team dedicated to linking your organisation 0300 321 4357. directly to University expertise. Knowledge Exchange housands of companies, “Whatever challenges you face, whether Innovation Fund (KEIF) T public bodies, charities and they are driven by commercial Academics can also apply for a slice community organisations have concerns, public service or community- of £250,000, if they work cl oser with already developed innovative based initiatives, our expertise could businesses, public and third sector solutions by tapping into our specialist provide the solutions you seek.” organisations. research capabilities, consultancy, specialist facilities and cutting-edge The Uni versity has ambitious KEIF offers up to £5,000 to ‘kickstart’ training and development performance targets, set out in the new mutually-beneficial associations programmes. Corporate Strategy 2012-17, which and up to £50,000 to develop existing include increasing the number of staff partnerships with external organisations. A team of four key account managers winning enterprise contracts by 50% will be your point of contact when you by 2015 and enterprise income by Projects may be research, continuing contact the University. You can also 10% per year. professional development or check out the new Business website consultancy with the potential to deliver wh ich signposts people outside the To find out more, please contact sustainable revenue and/or other University to the right collaborators. Mark Ratcliffe at [email protected] impacts including: economic, social, or on +44 (0)161 247 2186. cultural, health, well-being and more. Mark Ratcliffe, head of Knowledge www.mmu.ac.uk/business Exchange said: “Many different kinds of Email organisations are benefiting from the [email protected] or world-class expertise developed at MMU. call the team on +44 (0)161 247 2186.

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Research and Innovation

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership Knowledge (KTP) is helping to ensure that the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is meeting the needs Transfer of local businesses.

taff at the South Cheshire promoting the interests of the local S Chamber of Commerce are business community and helping its dedicated to supporting local members grow and develop. businesses in Crewe and Nantwich. Nadeem saw that the best way to do this was to incorporate the most The Chamber’s membership accounts mode rn technology and for 15 per cent of the local business communications methods, using the community, twice the national average, model that has made social media but not being satisfied with this, acting platforms so successful. chief executive, Paul Colman, knew that he had to find out why the majority of Paul said that the project has given the businesses in South Cheshire did not Chamber confidence that they are see the Chamber as relevant. heading in the right direction.

Paul approached the University to He said: “It became clear as the project discuss a project which he believed went on that developing the portal was would be mutually beneficial. a sizeable task, but I personally enjoyed the in-depth look at our Chamber in He said: “We were looking at the future relation to businesses through strategy of the Chamber. We had a Nadeem’s eyes and his research.” vision of what we could progress into and we knew it would be in MMU’s Nadeem, who has since been taken on interests for the local Chamber to be full-time by the Chamber as business strong and have good relationships with community co-ordinator, added: “I think a higher proportion of the local it’s going well and there is a lot of business community. potential to expand further beyond what was originally conceived, which “We sat down with the University at we want to explore.” length to discuss what we wanted the outcomes to be. The project was Trevor Brown, MMU Cheshire’s looking at the reorganisation of the enterprise manager, said: “The KTP Chamber to make it more relevant to with South Cheshire Chamber of businesses and to improve upon the Commerce and Industry Limited was engagement with our members.” a complex project as it revisited the role and function of the Chamber Following their discussions, the KTP to enable it to truly represent the project was conceived and approved business community. and MSc Strategic Leadership and Change student, Nadeem Ahmad, was “The project reinforced the close working taken on to research the new vision relationship between the Chamber which included integrating a Social and MMU Cheshire and enabled the Media Web Portal at its heart. This would Business and Management Department allow the Chamber to interact with local to more fully understand and explore businesses and for member companies issues within the sector. Both to interact better amongst themselves. organisations benefited from the partnership and the Chamber now acts The Chamber acts as an independent as an enthusiastic advocate for KTP voice for business, representing and in the region.” Paul Colman

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer innovative solutions to help organisations develop and improve products, processes and competitiveness through the best use of technology and skills. The scheme places graduates (KTP associates) in the host organisation, supported by an academic supervisor.

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Research and Innovation Are we looking at the future of computing?

A “simple invention” by Manchester Metropolitan University scientists holds the prospect of a paradigm shift in computing.

wo mathematicians, Jon power, such that (2+ n) components ~ Independently, HYPRES h ad been T Borresen and Stephen Lynch 2n processing power, resulting in researching JJ Arithmetic Logic Units believe it is possible to design massive savings in pow er and (ALUs) and, after the New York meeting, superfast microprocessors which components. announced they had built the world’s mimic the configurations in the fastest (20GHz) hybrid ALU, using 8,000 human brain. Following a series of theoretical tests, oscillators. The MMU team calculate Jon and Stephen pitched their theories they could produce the same If their models are correct, the circuitry at Daresbury Science & Technology processing power with just 50. would produce world-record computing Facilities Council and at the Rutherford- speeds at a fraction of the power input. Appleton Laboratories in Oxford, where The team, who are being supported they were encouraged to obtain patent by the University’s Research and Their ‘binary half adder’ circuit, which is protection for their ideas. Knowledge Exchange team, are now protected by three patents, UK, Taiwan planning a prototype to simulate a and international, is already attracting “We thought, if these 64-bit adder and are seeking potential inter est from leading figures in the commercialisation of the technology. supercomputing industry. binary interactions Added Jon: “We started this as an But the pair, who work in the Novel could be replicated in abstract exercise in mathematics, and Computation Group in the Science & electronic circuits, it we’ve ended up on the brink of Engineering Faculty, admit the potential theoretically building the world’s first breakthrough in microprocessing didn’t had the potential to neuron computer.” come from research into computing at all: “We were modelling the behaviour of revolutionise silicon Their paper, ‘Oscillatory Threshold neurones in the brain, just observing chips.” Logic’, is published on PLUS ONE. really, when it struck us that certain According to Stephen: “Recent results configurations could perform binary show that both the binary oscillator computations,” said Jon. But it was a recent trip to the New York logic and memory are sound and offices of high-tech firm HYPRESinc remarkably ro bust.” “We thought, if these binary interactions which provided the real breakthrough. could be replicated in electronic The work may also have applications circuits, it had the potential to “We had been researching how we could in neural biology, providing a much revolutionise silicon chips,” said Steve. build one of these computers using needed assay test for neural biological neurones, CMOS, optical degradation - having particular The new circuit is brilliantly simple: two resonators or Josephson Junctions (JJs). implications for the design and test oscillators connected in such a way that HYPRES have been using JJs since 1983 of new drugs. the addition of each extra oscillator in commercial circuitry and we now see results in a doubling of processing these as being the key,” added Steve.

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Knowledge Exchange

A joint project between Hollings Faculty and New Britain Palm Oil has helped to make the nation’s favourite pastries and cakes more sustainable.

ew Britain Palm Oil contacted N the University to find someone to carry out research into the baking performance of sustainable fats versus that of their unsustainable alternatives.

Dr Valentina Stojceska, of the As part of the project, Caroelin worth staying in touch. My lecturers University’s Manchester Food Research presented her findings to several have all been so supportive. I already Centre, passed the details of the project companies, to support New Britain had a good relationship with them and on to a graduate with whom she had Palm Oil’s efforts. that continued when I left. Without their been in touch, Caroline Noble, who help and support things could have successfully won the position working She said: “I think people had their been very different.” on the year-lon g project. reservations about sustainable fats, so my research did reassure people. The Manchester Food Research Centre, Caroline, who graduated in 2010 with a in the Hollings Faculty, is one of the first class BSc (Hons) in Food and “I was given the opportunity to present University’s specialist centres. With a Nutrition, worked with the research my findings to customers, helping them wealth of expertise to share, MMU has centre to test the products and also to make informed decisions about created a number o f dedicated centres looked in a more general sense at the making the switch to sustainable which focus on access to specialist sustainability of palm oil and its products.” services for organisations and the importance as a key ingredient to the community. Whether it is arts and UK food manufacturing industry. For Caroline, who had struggled to find entertainment, environmental impact, a job that she found fulfilling despite her industry sector-specific or public policy Caroline said: “I was given the excellent degree, the opportunity to support, each of these centres is opportunity to present my findings to work on the project had another benefit committed to ease of access to cutting- customers helping them to make - it led to a full-time position as a edge knowledge and creative talent. informed decisions about making the technical support technician with New switch to sustainable products. Britain Palm Oil. www.mmu.ac.uk/business/ specialist-centres “I was quite intrigued because I didn’t She said: “I am really excited about my really know anything about palm oil apart new position and to be given the from what I had read on the internet, and chance to work for a leading UK if you Google it then everything that company. They have invested a lot of comes up is negative. But New Britain time and money in me. Palm Oil’s company values and integrity are very different - I think everyone wants “My recommendation to other to work for a company like that.” graduates would be that it is definitely

Expertise for your business - talk to us

Many different kinds of organisations are driven by commercial concerns, To find out more, please contact are benefiting from the world-class public service or com munity-based Mark Ratcliffe at [email protected] expertise developed at MMU. Whatever initiatives, our expertise could provide or on +44 (0)161 247 2186. the challenges you face, whether they the solutions you seek. www.mmu.ac.uk/business

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Postgraduate Study Advancing your career

Manchester Metropolitan University offers the highest concentration of postgraduate taught courses in the North West of England, many recognised by professional bodies and associations. We hear from current and recent students about the benefits of investing in postgraduate study at MMU.

Mike Halley areas of a business, and rather than spend ten years working my way MBA through the key areas I wanted to Business School ‘fast track’ my progress. After Faculty of Business & Law researching my options I decided to complete my MBA at MMU; it has a great reputation for delivering MBAs ike Halley is vice-president that progress into world-legadin (sales) Europe, Middle East M companies, and I felt so comfortable and Africa at TOA after meeting some of the key staff so Technologies. After building up his knew I’d made the right choice.” career experience for many years, he decided that completing an MBA Completing the MBA has given Mike a would allow him to ‘fast track’ his whole new approach to working, and progression into general the strategy he learnt has underpinned management, which began at Hewlett this new way of working. Packard. He was head hunted by TOA after completing his MBA, and “I honestly use every aspect of my MBA believes it was the main reason for learning. Business strategy was a key his career success. element of the MBA and I was keen to deepen my knowledge. It’s furthered my “I’d always w ondered if people with an understandin g of the importance of MBA really felt more enabled to building clear strategies in every aspect progress at work, or whether it was of a business. The MBA had given me merely a box-ticking exercise to show the confidence to hold my own with that they had reached a higher level of senior staff within finance, HR, competency in management.” marketing - the list goes on, because I can now underpin my decisions His curiosity got the better of him and with knowledge.” he completed his MBA in 2010: “I wanted to discover more about the Mike was head hunted, and puts this constructs of business and understand down to his AMBA-accredited MBA aspects I’d never fully comprehended, qualification: “As soon as you add MBA and the MBA was a way for me to do to your CV it puts you in another league. this, and to demonstrate my ability to I didn’t know at the time but a compete at the highest level. prerequisite for my current role was an MBA, so I wouldn’t be where I am today “General management demands more without it.” than a working knowledge of the key

The next enrolment date for our part-time, Executive MBA is February 2013. For more information about the course and our range of MBA scholarships, please contact Daniel Sheratte, MBA Programme Manager, on +44 (0) 7717 860 343, or at [email protected].

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Ibrahim Sheikh commercial business experience would To find out about all our postgraduate be a valuable asset for studying law at law courses, go to: Graduate Diploma in Law postgraduate level. www.law.mmu.ac.uk Bar Professional Training Course Manchester Law School “Returning to study can be a daunting Faculty of Business & Law prospect, but I knew my experience would come in useful. In fact my maturity has been a real bonus and led arlier this year, Ibrahim Sheikh to my election as student representative E completed the Graduate for the course. Diploma in Law, which is designed for non-law graduates and “I chose to study at Manchester Law equips students with the legal School because of the friendliness of the knowledge required to train as a staff and their excellent links with local lawyer. He is currently studying on law firms and chambers. This the Bar Professional Training Course. professional network has been invaluable to me. I’ve been able to “I began my career working for a combine my studies with pro bono work merchant bank in the City before setting placements and voluntary work, and that up and running my own management combination of academic excellence consultancy for 15 years. I had always and work experience has placed me in wanted to study law and knew that my a great position to further my career.”

Dr Nadia Ali undergraduate education. I then travelled to the UK with my husband and settled in MSc Biomedical Science Manchester to continue my study at MMU. PhD School of Healthcare Science “The core subject of my study was Faculty of Science & Engineering about the effect of the drug simvastatin - an inhibitor of cholesterol - on advanced glycation, the main culprit of diabetes. adia Ali came to Manchester Having completed my PhD, I am now Nfrom Jordan to study for an working at the university as a part-time MSc in Biomedical Science. assistant lecturer supporting first year After graduating in 2006, she went on healthcare science students. I have to study towards a PhD, which she always wanted to work in academic and completed in 2012. research fields. It is an exciting job with many opportunities to learn new skills.” “I combined my research in the area of diabetes with my passion for teaching, To find out more about postgraduate which gives me the perfect balance. research degrees, go to: “I was born in Iraq, and moved to www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/ Jordan to complete my school and research

The benefits of postgraduate study at Manchester Metropolitan University

n opportunities to meet like-minded n award-winning staff at the forefront of Visit us students with the highest their fields giving you the chance to Postgraduate Courses Fairs are held concentration of postgraduate share the latest academic thinking in four times a year in September, taught courses in the North West many areas November, March and May. To check dates and book your place: n flexible programmes with full-time n more than 200 postgraduate taught www.mmu.ac.uk/study/ and part-time options in most programmes and dozens of postgraduate/visit course areas postgraduate research areas Find out more courses that have close links with n For all postgraduate information: business and employers helping you www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate get industry relevant experience

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Student Successes Hollings student wins design award

student from Hollings Faculty showcase day at the University’s Hollings A won an award for a highly Faculty, where the most outstanding classified Top Gun-style students were rewarded for their work. design project. Melissa worked with top secret materials Melissa Barker, who has recently and used research into chimney flue completed a Masters in Clothing Product design to create the jacket. Development at Manchester Metropolitan University, designed a jacket for fighter “The main problem was that it ha d to pilots which could deal with both function in hot conditions and extreme extremely hot and cold weather, such cold because pilots are in their aircraft as that found in Afghanistan. for up to eight hours, so ventilation is Melissa had to sign a non-disclosure important, but could be ejected into form which means she cannot reveal She was presented with a cheque for very cold conditions,” she said. the material used to anyone. In addition, £1,000 and the award for Innovation in she used a reflective lining to utilise Functional Clothing Design by The back of the jacket features a panel the pilot’s own body energy to keep representatives of military clothing filled with top secret spacer material to them warm. And in a nod to fashion, manufacturer RFD Beaufort. The awards lift the layers, with an opening collar to the lining features a graphic print of the ceremony was part of the annual facilitate ventilation. RAF logo. Miriam’s prize-winning jewellery

t isn’t often that a prize-winning Miriam said: “We were discussing “I found it hard to forget the I jewellery collection will have its farming, and discovered cultural conversation, so I researched owning roots in a conversation about differenc es, especially in the way we cattle and the impact it has on people’s cows - but that’s exactly what valued cattle. He thought I was rich with status and w ealth within society.” happened to Miriam Jones. 20 cows, and I thought that was absurd, as in Wales it’s the quality of cattle not Some of the designs use the patterns The winner of this year’s Success prize, the quantity that gives you wealth, created by cows’ noses, each one of Three Dimensional Design graduate where as Africans value the quantity of which is unique, like a fingerprint. Miriam was inspired to create her cattle they have, as it means a greater collection by a chat about farming with chance of survival. Miriam first became interested in art and a guide on Mount Kilimanjaro. design at school, and says she not only enjoys experimenting with wood, metal and plastics, but also researching the history which inspires her designs and gives them meaning.

She names the jeweller Robert Lee Morris as another inspi ration.

“When I read his book I found I could identify with his work,” she said. “He is inspired by similar things to me, but has a different approach. He focuses on form to create statement wearables, while I focus on the symbolism and the meanings behind my work.”

Miriam is continuing her studies at MMU with an MA in Design.

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Meet Our Alumni Art graduates make the final cut Three Manchester School of Art graduates feature in the stunning new exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, The First Cut. Success magazine takes a look and finds out what inspires them. Nicola Dale’s Downed

ndrew Singleton, James He said that despite the logistical A Aldridge and Nicola Dale challenges it presented he wanted the were all commissioned to piece to be large so it would be “like make pieces for the new exhibition, entering an environment and becoming which showcases the intricate art of part of the landscape.” Because of its paper cutting. size, James had to create the work in panels, and it took him a “nerve-wracking” Curator Fiona Corridan said: “In an age week to assemble in the gallery. where so much is digital we wanted to focus on artists who had gone back Since graduating with a degree in to basics.” Animation with Illustra tion in 2006, Andrew Singleton has worked on a James Aldridge’s huge monochrome number of prestigious commissions for creation, As Above, So Below, features names such as Liberty, Hermès and Andrew Singleton Edgar Allen Poe-esque ravens Kensington Palace. combined with spider webs, owls and trees inspired by the forests surrounding But he says his Manchester Art Gallery Nicola, who graduated in Interactive his home in Småland, southern Sweden. commission, Stellar Spire in the Eagle Arts in 2000 and followed it up with an He works by eliminating the unwanted Nebula, is possibly his favourite. MA in Visual Culture in 2005, used spaces, slowly revealing the final image. leaves cut from reference books to Andrew says: “My course was very create a literal “tree of knowledge” with James, who graduated with a degree in experimental, and in my final year I started each branch having leaves from a Fine Art in 1993, said: “When I start to work with paper - cutting into illustrations different facet of learning. working on each piece I don’t know that I was doing. I found that the things I what it will look like, so for me it is very wanted to express worked better.” “Because we are moving into a digital much about having a mental image of age, books are suffering - particularly the piece as it evolves - there’s no Inspired by natural forms, Andrew looked reference books,” she said. “At least I preparator y drawing or a mock-up, it to pictures from the Hubble Deep Space have rescued these things and turned comes about by itself.” Telescope for this commission. them into something beautiful.”

“The nebula are these massive Another work by Nicola, Downed, sculptural forms hanging in space featuring hundreds of feathers cut from made from dust which look really still Ordnance Survey maps, is also on but in actual fact have so much energy display at the gallery. going on,” he said.

Nicola Dale’s poignant piece Sequel has its roots in an acorn planted by her friend. The First Cut runs until 27 January When the resultant oak tree grew too 2013. For more information, visit big for the garden, Nicola offered to turn www.manchestergalleries.org it into a work of art. James Aldridge’s As Above, So Below

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Meet Our Alumni

“Every day is different - nothing is the same and you can never get bored.”

Fellow MMU graduate, Sarah Clifton, who graduated in 2008, agrees. She said: “No day is the same.”

Now in her fifth year at Queen’s Road, Sarah completed her third year teaching practise at the school, and when a job came up after graduation jumped at the chance.

“Having had some good placements at some really lovely sch ools helped when it came to standing in front of a class on Teachers’ your own that first day,” she said. “Queen’s Road is so supportive, it’s a L to R: Christian, George, Lisa, Sarah nice school, the children are lovely and you get great opportunities for calling professional development.”

Success visits four Christian, who graduated in 2006, said: That professional development includes alumni working as “It was a very steep learning curve. I a return to MMU for Sarah, who is the was still in regular co ntact with my link maths co-ordinator at the school. teachers in the same tutor, Brenda Judge, which definitely primary school and helped - that gave me the guidance that “I am really interested in how children gains an insight into a lot of newly qualified teachers miss learn maths, and so wh en the school out on.” offered me the opportunity to go back their hugely to university and take the MAST course, rewarding profession. Christian started at Queen’s Road in the Mathematics Specialist Teacher September this year, having begun his programme at MMU, I jumped at rimary school is the age when career at St Paul’s Primary School, in the chance.” children can gain the building Withington. St Paul’s was the school P She has some simple advice for any blocks that will set them up where Christian had his final year for a successful life, and so the placement, and he says that being wannabe teachers currently enrolled training of primary school teachers offered the post was down to having at MMU or considering signing up for is of utmost importance. that placem ent opportunity. a course.

At Queen’s Road Primary School, in He said: “I was supported well by the “Make sure you have lots of experience Cheadle Hulme, four of the staff are University - we were given guidance so you can decide it’s what you really graduates of MMU’s BA (Hons) Primary about how to look for primary education want,” she said. “It’s not an easy 9 till 3, Education - Christian Park, Sarah teaching jobs. It was daunting - there’s a lot of work that goes on behind Clifton, George Pew and Lisa Quin. especially because there were so many the scenes. But it is incredibly fulfilling.” applicants - but I got a job fairly easily. Despite the “ridiculously early starts”, all Coming from MMU meant something to four know they are making a difference the schools.” The Faculty of Education runs an to the lives of hundreds of children. Alumni Support Programme for all Christian describes the job as “full on”, Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs). To And they credit the structure of their but said: “Every day is different - find out more, go to: degree with preparing them to become nothing is the same and you can never www.ioe.mmu.ac.uk/nqt. successful teachers. get bored.”

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Writing talent

In just a few short months, James Harker has gone from student to professional playwright.

ames, who graduated this Jyear with a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from MMU Cheshire, won a coveted place as writer on attachment at the Liverpool Playhouse.

He is currently working on two plays in “I didn’t have particularly good Creative Writing programme leader his “cupboard” at the theatre - a drama qualifications, but I convinced MMU to Robert Graham said: “It was clear as about the prison system, based on an let me on the course. It was really good, soon as he set his suitcase down on our award-winning piece of student and they encouraged me to go for campus that James had talent to burn. journalism which James wrote while at absolutely everything - that’s the reason University, and a jazz musical, which he I’m at the Playhouse now,” said James. “I’ve been teaching undergraduate describe s as “a big experiment.” Creative Writing since 1994, and I've never “I think if you want to write for a living seen a student do so well so quickly. A man of many talents, James has also you’ve just got to get on and do it; you just been announced as the winner of have to sit down, keep at it and keep “All of us at MMU Cheshire are immensely the first Edge Hill Crime Writing Prize - for sending your work off - no matter how proud of him and look forward to following which he took home a £1,000 prize. many rejection letters you get.” what will surely be a starry career.”

senior level down to under-16. I have developed injury prevention programmes Ashley keeps his to be disseminated throughout the eye on the ball region as low as under-14. “And to aid the development of the Ashley James tells Success region and future physiotherapists, I recently set up a link with MMU to how he came to be a provide two recently qualified physiotherapist at the physiotherapists to cover the under-16 and under-18 teams through their Welsh Rugby Union. regional age grade campaign against all the other regions in Wales.” s a sport-mad teenager, After graduating and finding the NHS A Ashley James knew that he career route limited, Ashley set up his For those wishing to follow in his wanted to pursue a career on own practice working in a gym and footsteps, Ashley says hard work and the pitch. But despite being selected treating high-level athletes including the determination to stay continually up- for the Wales under-18 rugby union pole vaulters, gymnasts and footballers. to-date with new ideas are key. squad, it was Ashley’s experience After a year he returned to his first love watching the physiotherapists who of rugby, where he worked with the “The beginning of a career in sport can be helped his granddad recover from a younger teams before being offered the extremely challenging as you’re expected heart condition that really inspired him. position of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) to do a lot of work for very little or no Senior and Academy Physiotherapist. money, so be prepared to persevere!” Now North Wales physiotherapist for the Welsh Rugby Union, Ashley studied for Ashley said: “My job involves the a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at M MU. medical care for all regional players from

23 6250_Success Magazine - Issue eleven 2012_Layout 1 12/11/2012 09:01 Page 24

MMU Events Events at MMU to attract thousands of visitors

postcard from Damien Hirst is next term. As always, we can promise a A just one of the creations by genuinely exciting and highly world-class artists to go on entertaining programme that will appeal display at MMU this season. to a broad range of tastes. Check out the Capitol Theatre website for further The Artists’ Postcard Show will also details and book early to avoid feature work by Gilbert and George, disappointment!” Gillian Wearing and John Cage and will run at the Holden Gallery from 7 December to 24 January. For more information about arts events at MMU, visit: The show will follow an exhibition of www.axisartscenter.org.uk work by two Chinese photographers, Chi Peng and Wang Fu Chun, which www.capitoltheatre.mmu.ac.uk runs from 19 October to 22 November, www.holdengallery.mmu.ac.uk and precedes an exploration of cities and the people who live there, Archive City, which runs from 3 February to 15 March.

The current exhibition of paintings by The Business School Anthony Ratcliffe, Shoreline and Watershed, runs until December, and Spectacular new contemporary venue will be followed by an exhibition on the in the centre of Manchester. theme of Art Nouveau, featuring items from across the collections. Suitable for a wide range of events:

Thousands of visitors have already n conferences, meetings, networking receptions, flocked to MMU this year, to see the award dinners, product launches work of renowned graphic designer Malcolm Garrett, meet top authors at n tiered lecture theatres seating up to 250 the Manchester Children’s Book n wide choice of meeting rooms Festival, or watch one of the excellent productions put on at the Capitol n exhibition space Theatre and the Axis Arts Centre. n conference dining The spring season at the Capitol We look forward to giving you a warm Theatre and the Axis Art Centre will be welcome at MMU. announced in December. Contact our friendly and professional team on Tutor and director at the Capitol Theatre, David Shirley, said: “Following the +44 (0)161 247 1565 or at [email protected] success of the autumn season, we are Visit: www.mmu.ac.uk/venues currently finalising the productions for

24 6250_Success Magazine - Issue eleven 2012_Layout 1 12/11/2012 09:01 Page 25

Alumni Benefits and Services

Could your business offer a special promotion to MMU alumni and staff?

ffer a discount or promotion “I decided to offer a Oto our alumni and staff and discount to the in return we’ll promote your business on the university website alumni benefits and in selected communications. package because Many businesses, including those owned by, or employing MMU graduates, are I wanted to do already partnering with us. something for my

Alumni can take advantage of these university and for offers simply by updating contact fellow alumni while details whenever they change at: www.mmu.ac.uk/alumni/register also promoting

To view the full pac kage of The Place.” benefits, go to: www.mmu.ac.uk/alumni/benefits Business graduate, Steven Clarke, Sales Executive at The Place, Manchester. Contact us today at [email protected] 6250_Success Magazine - Issue eleven 2012_Layout 1 12/11/2012 09:01 Page 26

Manchester Metropolitan University values its relationships with companies, organisations and alumni, and is keen to make new connections. To find out more about any of the schemes or stories in this issue, please contact us.

Alumni and Development Marketing, Communications and Development Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 3402 Tel: +44 (0)161 247 5036 www.mmu.ac.uk/alumni www.mmu.ac.uk

Careers and Employability MMU International Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 247 1022 Tel: +44 (0)161 247 3483 www.mmu.ac.uk/international www.mmu.ac.uk/careers MMU Venues Expertise for Business Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)161 247 1565 Tel: +44 (0)161 247 2186 www.mmu.ac.uk/venues www.mmu.ac.uk/business Postgraduate Study GradMatchMMU Tel: +44 (0)161 247 6969 Email: [email protected] www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate Tel: +44 (0)161 247 6512 www.mmu.ac.uk/careers/gradmatch Success Magazine Email: [email protected] Knowledge Exchanges Tel: +44 (0)161 247 3402 Emai l: [email protected] www.mmu.ac.uk/alumni/benefits/success Tel: +44 (0)161 247 2186 www.mmu.ac.uk/business

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