A Year In Review + GMIoT

Celebrating G M I o T Student Success: A Year in Review Technical. Skills. Work.

Join us as we explore the incredible accomplishments of our GMIoT partnership.

From student experiences, course events and inspiring learner case studies. This issue is dedicated to the shining stars of our partnership!

Contents 03 Student Enrichment Activities 04 University of Salford 05 Wigan & Leigh College 07 Tameside College 08 Ada, The National College for Digital Skills 09 Bury College 11 Student Conference 12 Coming soon: GMIoT sustainability programme 13 Student Spotlight 14 Student Shout Outs

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Student Enrichment Activities within the Partnership Discover the diverse student enrichment activities that have taken place within our partnership. Here’s a recap of key events, work experience days and talks attended by GMIoT students.

These experiences have been instrumental in broadening learner knowledge, skills, and networks, ensuring you are well-prepared for your future careers.

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Earlier this year students from the GMIoT program at the University had an exciting opportunity to visit The Hut Group Studios. This visit was part of their module titled “Social Media Channels, Platforms, and Analytics” within the “HND Social Media Content Creation” programme.

Key Highlights

During their visit, the students had the privilege of interacting with the content creators behind the global brand MyProtein.

The afternoon was filled with hands-on experiences as they worked alongside professionals in the industry.

They had access to real shooting sets, which are commonly used to promote MyProtein products. This unique opportunity allowed them to gain authentic insights into the production of content specifically tailored for social media promotion.

“One of the highlights of their visit was creating a video related to MyProtein. This practical exercise became a key learning experience for the students, directly impacting their module. As they prepare to produce and analyse metrics for social media content, the knowledge gained during this visit will undoubtedly enhance their overall understanding of effective content creation and promotion strategies” Luke Harrison, Senior Lecturer for Live and Recorded Media Performance.

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Experience gaming like never before at the new S B S Esports Suite!

This isn’t your typical gaming space; it’s a dedicated hub tailored for our HND Esports Business Management students. Kitted out with high-end gaming PCs, cuttingedge software, and contemporary gaming platforms, the suite is complemented by sophisticated content creation tools. This setup ensures our students are well-prepared to excel in the Esports industry.

Iain Earle, program leader, commented, “The Esports Suite is set to redefine our engagement with the dynamic esports industry. It brings the outside world into our classrooms, creating a continuum of learning and industry interaction.”

Guest Speaker Presentation HE Computing & IT Students had the incredible opportunity to attend a guest speaker presentation by our industry partner, Siemens.

Key Highlights

Insightful Introduction to Siemens Gert Rohrmann, Training and Development Manager at Siemens, kicked off the event with an introduction to SIEMENS. He highlighted how Siemens is at the forefront of transforming everyday SMART infrastructure and the digital industry through cutting-edge technology.

The Future of Manufacturing Prof Alan Norbury CEng FIET FIKE, Chief Technologist at Siemens, inspired our learners with his discussion on the future of manufacturing.

He explored emerging technologies and the integration of the real world with the digital world.

Data Science and Digital Innovation Students also gained a fresh perspective on the application of data science and digital technologies within engineering roles. The insights provided

by Siemens’ experts demonstrated the diverse opportunities and innovative approaches that are shaping the future of engineering and technology.

“It was inspiring to see real-life stories and experiences shared by industry leaders, supporting our learners and potentially boosting their motivation and career pathways”.

Lecturer in Computing

Exploring A I and Digital Twins Gert provided students with valuable insights into the use of AI in building management. He explained how digital twins are utilised to maintain and optimise business processes, offering a fascinating glimpse into the future of intelligent infrastructure.

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Energy House Labs at The University of Salford GMIoT Students from Wigan & Leigh College and University Centre, studying HNC Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, and Civil Engineering, recently embarked on a journey of discovery at Energy House 2.0!

Key Highlights

Tour of Energy House 2.0 Our students witnessed the ground-breaking technology behind the £16 million research facility, consisting of two environmental chambers, each chamber can accommodate two detached houses and under controlled weather conditions, recreate a wide variety of weather conditions.

This state-of-the-art facility plays a crucial role in progressing towards low-carbon and net-zero housing design.

“Very informative, with real-world representation!”

Construction Student

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Acoustics Labs Exploration The exploration continued in the Acoustics Labs, where students visited the Anechoic Chamber, the quietest room imaginable, perfect for testing microphones and hearing protection. They also experienced the Reverberation Chamber, where sound reverberates vividly, showcasing the science behind acoustics.

Insightful Talk from University Director, Michael Brown Michael Brown delivered an engaging talk about the importance of retrofitting houses for energy efficiency and carbon/net-zero initiatives, providing students with valuable insights into sustainable housing practices.

The North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (N E R I C) Tameside College HNC Level 4 Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering students had an enriching afternoon at the The North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC). The visit focused on the fascinating fields of robotics and automation, offering our students a unique opportunity to delve into cutting-edge technologies.

Meet Spot, the Robotic Dog Students were fascinated by Spot’s capabilities and the potential applications of robotic companions in various industries, from construction to inspection tasks.

The visit expanded the students’ understanding of how robotics and automation are applied in vehicle automation, healthcare and the development of SMART cities.

The afternoon at NERIC not only broadened the students’ technical knowledge but also inspired them to think about the practical applications of their studies in real-world scenarios.

Key Highlights

Tour of the All-Electric Building Students experienced NERIC’s state-of-the-art, net-zero environment. This first-hand exposure to sustainable building practices provided invaluable insights into the future of eco-friendly engineering solutions.

Exploration of Robotics and Automation The students learned about various specialisms within robotics and automation. They gained practical knowledge about how these technologies are shaping industries and driving innovation across different sectors.

Morson Engineering, Guest Speaker Presentation Tameside College had the pleasure of hosting Chris Hill, IT Director at Morson Group, for an enlightening guest speaker session with our HE Engineering students.

Chris shared invaluable insights into the successes attained through the Panoptic Bridge Management Project, illustrating the application of machine learning in industry and the efficient management of Network Rail’s assets.

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Work Experience Day with G C H Q Ada, digital apprentices, and Tameside College HE computing students had the incredible opportunity to attend a work experience day with our industry partner, GCHQ!

Key Highlights

Congratulations on Ada’s brand new building in Ancoats, Manchester!

During the day, students participated in the “Murder in the Castle” activity. This immersive experience allowed them to play detective and step into the shoes of professionals in various roles within the organisation, including cyber security, software engineering, linguistics, and analysis.

The new facility officially opened its doors in March this year and features collaboration spaces, lecture theatres, spacious classrooms, and a unique top floor loft. The launch party was a huge success, and we enjoyed having conversations about Ada’s mission to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent across Greater Manchester!

Students had the inspiring opportunity to hear diverse career journeys into GCHQ and learn about an innovative project that software engineers are currently working on and shaping within the business.

The hands-on experience provided our students with invaluable insights into the world of GCHQ and the critical work they do. We’re proud to see our students explore and develop their skills in such an innovative and secure environment.

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Speakers also shared their career journeys and discussed the evolving landscape of healthcare careers, highlighting the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the digital health sector.

Future of Healthcare: Digital Innovation and Careers Bury College recently hosted a live webinar for healthcare educators, professionals, and students from across the partnership. Featuring expert guest speakers from NHS England, North Manchester General Hospital, and other prominent institutions.

The focus was on digital innovation in healthcare, virtual wards, and NHS career opportunities.

Key Highlights

The expert panel provided an overview of how digital technologies are transforming healthcare.

“I will attend more of these seminars in the future; they are really inspiring.”

Healthcare student, Bury College

Attendees had the opportunity to get involved in a live Q&A session with industry experts, offering a unique chance for students to explore potential career paths and understand the skills and qualifications required to thrive in this dynamic field.

The GMIoT is proud to bridge the gap between education and the professional world, empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Attendees gained valuable insights into the latest advancements in digital health, including the implementation and benefits of virtual wards, which are revolutionising patient care by allowing remote monitoring and treatment.

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Looking Forward These experiences reflect our commitment to enhancing GMIoT students’ education and career readiness. Stay tuned for more updates on our student enrichment activities and the exciting opportunities from our partnerships!

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Student Conference In December, we successfully launched our Inaugural Student Conference at the University of Salford’s state-of-the-art School of Science, Engineering & Environment building.

GMIoT students, course leaders and stakeholders from across our education partnership gathered for an inspiring evening filled with innovation, thoughtprovoking talks on AI and virtual realities as well as festive treats.

The event highlighted GMIoT’s dedication to providing enriching experiences for HE students.

In a lively atmosphere, students from our partner institutions came together, connected with one another, played games on the latest VR headsets, and delved into the exciting world of immersive technology.

Our headline speaker, Professor Andy Miah, stole the show with an impressive talk on how immersive technologies are revolutionising the world.

Students engaged in competitive gaming on the latest VR headsets and explored future career paths with employer partner GCHQ and enjoyed a Christmas codebreaker challenge!

Our student conference is held annually. This year, it will be at the University of Salford on Tuesday, 3rd December. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Stay tuned for further details!

Jo Purves, Pro Vice-Chancellor at The University of Salford, highlighted the importance of skilled workforces. GMIoT Director Claire Foreman discussed our student-focused approach.

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Coming soon: G M I o T Sustainability programme From the new term, all our GMIoT learners will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, understanding, and skills in sustainability. This initiative is designed to equip you with an additional key competence, highly valued in today’s job market.

You’ll have the chance to self-assess your current level of knowledge concerning Sustainability, access free online learning resources and take an accredited short course on Carbon Literacy. As part of this programme, you will also have the chance to participate in a GMIoT sustainability competition. Winners will have the opportunity to win an industry experience day and exciting prizes while showcasing their commitment to sustainability. An additional online course with Ada, National College for Digital Skills will ensure that you showcase your new skills on your LinkedIn profile and enhance your career prospects.

Stay tuned for more details on this exciting opportunity!

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Student Spotlight Tameside College Students Excel in WorldSkills U K National Finals Two apprentices from Tameside College, Lucy Yelland and Ben Love, showcased their skills at the WorldSkills UK national finals. WorldSkills, renowned for its vocational skills competitions worldwide, identifies top talents across various disciplines.

Lucy and Ben, both studying engineering degree apprenticeships with Siemens Digital Industries, advanced to the mechatronics finals following their outstanding performance in an online competition and national qualifiers held in Birmingham last year.

Reflecting on her experience, Lucy stated, “Competing in the WorldSkills finals was an incredible opportunity to enhance my skills and explore new prospects. Tameside College provided exceptional facilities, and our teachers were instrumental in motivating us to participate.”

Their success in the national finals positions Lucy and Ben to represent the WorldSkills UK team at the global finals in Lyon in September 2024!

Lucy and Ben are continuing their degrees at the University of Salford. We wish them the best of luck in the finals and beyond!

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Student Shout Outs

Aspiring Quantity Surveyor “My favourite module is quantity surveying.

We learn with the latest software used in the industry, which makes us ready for the future.”

Aspiring Mechanical Designer “I chose the higher technical apprenticeship route because the work experience you gain alongside the industry-recognised qualifications is priceless.”

Toby Rutter, HND Mechanical Engineering at Wigan & Leigh College

Dominic, HNC Construction at The University of Salford

Aspiring Data Analyst in Cyber Security “I work full-time and study one day a week.

The teachers are great, offering different methods of learning from guest lecturer videos, group activities and 1-1 mentoring.”

Kiera Hall, HND Computing (Cyber Security) at Tameside College

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Aspiring Software Developer “Studying at Ada gives me the opportunity to network with industry partners and study with like-minded learners.”

Ewan, Degree Apprentice Digital and Technology Solutions Professional at Ada, Manchester

Aspiring Healthcare professional “My course has helped me build my confidence and communication skills. The building I learn in feels like an actual ward.”

Amenope, HNC Healthcare Practice at Bury College

Maya, HND Mechanical Engineering at Tameside College

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Keep striving for excellence and seizing new opportunities — your journey has just begun.

With our strong partnerships, we’re committed to supporting your growth and fostering a vibrant learning community.

Thank you to all our students, educators, and partners for their invaluable contributions to the GMIoT.

Find out more at gmiot.ac.uk

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