16 minute read
Education & Skills
Celebration of achievement
Graduates from a university centre which operates across Warwickshire and Worcestershire have been celebrating their achievements in a trio of graduation ceremonies.
More than 160 graduates from Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) attended the ceremonies at St Mary’s Church in Warwick.
WCUC is the Higher Education arm of college group WCG and the three ceremonies saw students from Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell College and Pershore College graduating.
The ceremonies, held over two days, were followed by a procession through the heart of Warwick in the historic parish church.
The graduates came from a wide range of courses, including business, counselling and psychotherapy, early years, business management, performing arts, game design, engineering, floristry, equine therapy and rehabilitation, veterinary physiotherapy, veterinary nursing and many more.
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, opened the ceremonies with an address and was also on hand to present scrolls signifying the former student’s graduation from the college. She was joined for all three ceremonies by newly-appointed WCG President Louise Bennett, who spoke to graduands about her career and experiences, before joining Angela Joyce to present the scrolls.
Louise led Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce as its Chief Executive for nearly 20 years, is a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and was High Sheriff of the County of the West Midlands for 2021.
Louise said: “My first duty as President was to join everyone in these celebrations in Warwick, joining amazing graduates from a wide range of subjects which are so relevant to today’s world of work.
“When you talk to a business owner or manager, top of their wish-list is to get the right people into their jobs with the right skills and qualifications. Therefore, the work of WCUC is so critical to this local economy and the wider regional economy.
“Graduation day is such a special occasion. It’s a day of celebration and to recognise everything that has been achieved to gain these qualifications.”
In 2021, WCG became the first college in the UK to be granted both Bachelor's degree awarding powers and Foundation degree awarding powers by the Office for Students.
Angela Joyce added: “It was wonderful to see the beautiful St Mary’s Church filled with students, family and friends for what was a very special couple of days.
“The ceremonies were a celebration of the hard work, dedication and commitment of our graduates here at WCUC.
“Each and every graduate should take great pride in their resilience. They have completed their studies in a turbulent time with significant disruption brought by the pandemic.
“We are proud that 90 per cent of our graduates go on to further study or employment, and we hope that our graduates will now go on to have a positive impact on the regional economy.”
The college group also awarded three Fellowships during the three ceremonies, with individuals recognised for their external achievements and significant contributions to the college.
Peter Manford, a governor of the college group for 14 years, and David Darling, CEO of Kwalee and co-founder of Codemasters, were both recognised on the first day of ceremonies.
Judy Edwards, who was chief executive of The Pony Club for a decade and has been a long-standing supporter of the equine faculty at Moreton Morrell College, also received a Fellowship.
WCUC offers higher education courses in a wide range of subjects through full time and part-time options.
To find out more visit www.wcuc.ac.uk
David Darling - key architect of the UK video games industry and Founder of Kwalee, honoured with Fellowship from WCUC
A key architect of the UK video games industry has been honoured with a Fellowship from Warwickshire College & University Centre
David Darling, Founder & CEO of mobile game development studio and publisher Kwalee and co-founder of Codemasters, has been named a Fellow of Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC).
The Fellowship was awarded in a ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Warwick on 13th October, which also saw students graduating from across the university centre.
WCUC is the Higher Education arm of college group WCG, which includes Royal Leamington Spa College, Warwick Trident College, Moreton Morrell College, Rugby College, Pershore College, and Evesham College.
Royal Leamington Spa College is based in the heart of Silicon Spa, a moniker for Leamington Spa, one of the biggest clusters of games developers in the UK.
The college runs a series of Games Design and Games Art courses from Level 3 up to degree level, with many of its graduates going on to work for games developers including Kwalee.
David Darling is recognised as one of the founding fathers of ‘Silicon Spa’, having founded Codemasters with his brother Richard in the region in 1986.
Codemasters launched classic game series, including Micro Machines, Dizzy, and Colin McRae Rally, which have gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide. In 2007, the Darlings sold their interests in the business.
David Darling founded Kwalee in Leamington Spa in 2011 and has grown the business into one of the world’s most successful hypercasual game publishers. Since its inception, their games have been installed over 900 million times. Darling is still innovating after decades in the industry and he remains as committed as ever to bringing great games to millions of players on mobile, PC, and console platforms.
Kwalee employs approximately 300 people across its studios in the UK, India, Portugal, and China and remote team members worldwide. The company’s success has seen more than £1.5 million in profits paid directly to its employees. Currently, Kwalee has over 180 open roles on its careers portal.
David Darling opened up about his shared history with Warwickshire, saying: “It was a great surprise and I’m really proud to have been made a Fellow of WCUC. I’ll try and motivate the students and take a particular interest with those on the games art and games design courses. My daughter studied at the college and really enjoyed and benefited from their creative, practical, and hands-on approach.”
“We’re always looking for new talented people at Kwalee and the educational system’s role is very important in developing that talent.”
“It’s great that people have the opportunity to learn about games now, that wasn’t really an option when I was a student back in the 1980s.”
“When I was a child, we moved around the world. I went to 14 different schools and lived in a lot of countries. We settled here in Warwickshire and have been here for 30 years now. It’s home to me, a beautiful place, and I love living here in the heart of the country.”
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCUC, said: “The title of Fellow is the highest accolade we can award as a college group and university centre. Fellowships are presented after great consideration, and we were delighted to recognise David Darling this year.”
“David is one of the most influential figures in the nation’s video game industry of the last 40 years and is still innovating and creating great games for millions of players worldwide.”
“His work has had a significant positive impact on the economy in Leamington and wider Warwickshire, and we are pleased to welcome David to our select group of Fellows.”
College to fast-track school
leavers into digital and education careers
A further education provider in Coventry has announced its first T Level qualifications to help fasttrack school leavers into digital and education careers.
A pair of T Level courses in Childcare & Education and Digital Production will be delivered by Coventry College from September 2023 as part of the College’s new T Level provision.
The two-year courses, which are equivalent to three A levels, are aimed at school leavers aged 16 to 19 as a way to gain technical or vocational experience post GCSEs before heading into employment or higher education.
Enrolment for the courses, which have been developed in partnership with local employers including nurseries and game production companies, is now open, and Coventry College will be hosting an open day to help potential students find out more on Wednesday, October 19 from 5pm to 7pm.
While studying T Levels, students will spend 80 per cent of their time in the classroom and 20 per cent or roughly 45 days on an industry placement with employers.
Gemma Knott, Vice Principal for Business Growth, Engagement and Partnerships at Coventry College, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the first ever T Levels at Coventry College, building on our excellent digital and education provisions to offer practical and industry-focused qualifications across two incredibly popular subjects.
“By partnering with local employers, we are able to offer future learners an innovative programme that will provide them with both the skills and experience to make the strongest possible start to their careers.
“For year 11 students, school leavers, and parents and carers who want to find out more, our open day on October 19 will be a great way to hear about how things work, the opportunities that are available, and why T Levels could be the right choice.”
For more information visit www.coventrycollege.ac.uk/courses/t-leveleducation-childcare or www.coventrycollege.ac.uk/courses/t-leveldigital-production-design-development
W
Two key appointments
at a leading Midlands college group
An international business leader and nationally acclaimed Chamber of Commerce chief executive have been appointed to two key roles at a leading Midlands college group.
Anna Daroy, who lives in Worcestershire, has been appointed to Chair the Corporation Board and Louise Bennett OBE, also Worcestershire based, has been appointed as President for college group WCG – which includes six colleges across Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
The board chair ensures the board effectively discharges its duties and that the board works with the senior leadership team to execute strategy, while the President is unique to WCG and is focused on working with the CEO and Chair to build external relationships with stakeholders.
Anna will be following in the footsteps of Peter Manford, whose term of office ended after 14 years’ service to the college group. Peter was Chair during challenging times including the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anna started her career with EY, before joining IBM and then becoming Vice President of Mercer Consulting. She was most recently interim CEO/Director General of the Institute of Directors and interim COO of the Government of Jersey.
For more than 30 years, she has worked in both the private and public sector, leading organisations and industries through complex and transformational challenges, and is currently a council member of the UK Rural Policy Group.
“I’m very excited to have taken this new role and it is an honour to follow Peter Manford, who has done fantastic work for the college group during his time as Chair,” she said.
“WCG is rich in what it offers, its rich in its staff, its students and its access to local employers. I’m proud to have been appointed as Chair and look forward to continuing to support the development of the college group.”
Louise Bennett was awarded an OBE for her services to enterprise and led Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce as its chief executive for nearly 20 years – a role which has seen her work closely with WCG.
She had previously spent four years with Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, following a varied career which saw her hold senior management roles in an acute hospital, retail and running her own business. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and is the immediate past High Sheriff of the County of the West Midlands 2021
Louise has recently been appointed as Chair for the British Chambers of Commerce Local Skills Improvement Plans Group, in response to the Skills Act 2022.
Louise added: “I’ve always been passionate about the need for people to be supported with learning, development and training opportunities.
“Our colleges underpin the economy, they are the foundations of everything businesses do – supporting innovation, creativity and much more.
“I’m flattered to have been appointed into such a unique role and will be working in partnership with the board and senior leadership team to support the group’s strategic goals and enhance its reputation with Government and national decision makers.”
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said: “We would like to thank Peter for his incredible service to the college group as Chair for the last five years and Vice-chair for nine years before that.
“He has been a trusted advisor to myself and the senior leadership team during that time and played an integral role in getting the college group to where it is today.
“The President role is a great addition to our governance structures and Louise brings a wealth of knowledge from her business links, especially of current national skills policy. We are very fortunate that Louise is joining us after her longstanding and successful career at the Chamber of Commerce”
“I look forward to working with Anna, Louise and the Corporation Board as we implement the ambitions set out in the Corporate Plan.”
Anna Daroy, Angela Joyce and Louise Bennett.
Dr Tom Congdon, Cllr Martin Watson, Dirk Schafer
A high-tech business that has developed new techniques for freezing cells and is a spin-out from the University of Warwick is aiming to raise £500,000 of additional investment after receiving support.
Cryologyx was formed by Dr Tom Congdon and Professor Matt Gibson after their research led them to find a new way of freezing cells which minimises post-thaw damage and enables them to be used directly from the freezer, therefore, dramatically cutting down on testing time and allows scientists to conduct research more efficiently.
Matt and his team at the University of Warwick developed the ‘monolayer
Getting the science right
cryopreservation’ technology – as it is scientifically known – over the past five years and the pair launched the business in March 2021.
They have been working to commercialise the technology after completing the Innovate UK ICURe programme and drawing in £150,000 of early-stage venture capital funding and £275,000 from Innovate UK.
The company, which is now based within Ignite office and lab space at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Venture Centre, has been working with the Business Ready programme to identify potential clients for their first product, the PlaqueReady Thaw and Test Assay, and get ready for further investment
Business Ready delivers support to expanding businesses managed by the business support team at theUniversity of Warwick Science Park and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council as part of the CW Business: Start, Grow & Scale Programme.
It has helped the business to develop a product aimed at virologists that could lead to them selling up to 200 units a week and the support has also encouraged Cryologyx to draw out its green credentials as a selling point as it massively cuts down on plastic waste.
The aim is now to land £500,000 of additional investment to help add sales and lab-based staff to the team.
Dr Congdon said: “We are very close to being ready to go out for another round of investment and the work with Business Ready has been invaluable.
“It has been brilliant to be able to get advice and support for developing the commercial offering of the business. We have spent so much time on the research and development to create truly ground-breaking technology and Business Ready has been the jump-start that we needed to commercialise and sell it.
“Getting the science right was the first part and now we are focussed on the business reality of creating and selling the product.”
Dirk Schafer, Business Growth Adviser at the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “Cryologyx is a wonderful example of a business that has incredible people at its heart, who have developed something that could revolutionise the way cells are frozen for testing.
“However, like so many, they needed external skills and support to move it from an academic idea to becoming a commercial business.
“We’ve helped to focus their efforts on a commercial product that has a strong potential customer base and, now that they have done that, the business will be very attractive for investment.”
Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy and Place, said: “The Council prides itself on encouraging innovation and creativity. We’re delighted to support Business Ready and encourage developments like Cryologyx which not only create jobs but enhance the area’s reputation to potential investors.”
Coventry College has become the first FE provider in the UK to partner with a digital mental health platform designed to offer comprehensive, ongoing wellbeing support to students.
Students at Coventry College will be the first in the country to have access to the withinu Mental Health Playbook.
The platform will help learners build and maintain their mental wellbeing by sending them weekly, actionable tips that they can incorporate into their daily life, alongside signposting individual support offered by the college.
Weekly email communications will be delivered to learners throughout the year, with messaging also set to appear across campus in various print formats and digitally through the college's social media channels.
Learners who subscribe to the Playbook will also receive support materials including a gratitude journal, a health and wellness journal, and a self-care workbook. They will also receive discounts and offers from leading Coventry organisations including CV Life, and the opportunity to attend monthly webinars led by leading UK experts on mental health and motivation.
Danny Matharu, founder at withinu said: “Coventry is the first college in the UK to launch this ground-breaking, proactive mental health initiative, all about showing its learners that their mental wellbeing is at the forefront of its priorities.
“By supporting and educating learners through continuous exchanges of information, expert guidance, and simple, actionable ways for them to build and maintain their own mental health, we hope we can empower the learners to make a real difference to their mental health.
“We are delighted to be working with Coventry College – an institution that is truly committed not only to providing excellent educational opportunities but also supporting learner welfare holistically. It is widely recognised that early intervention is key when it comes to maintaining good mental health, so we hope this playbook makes a real difference for learners.
Carol Thomas, Principal at Coventry College said: “Our students’ wellbeing is a huge priority for us, and we are thrilled to be launching this new initiative on World Mental Health Day.
“We are passionate about ensuring our learners have access not just to cutting edge learning and facilities but also top-quality welfare support – which is why we are really excited about teaming up alongside withinu on this innovative new project.
“The Playbook will give learners guidance around theirs and their peers’ mental health and wellbeing needs, and part of that is to continually remind our them of the various support mechanisms that we have throughout the college that they can access anytime, regardless of the size of the issue.
“We hope that by providing our students with access to these kinds of resources we can make a real difference not just during their time here at college but also long into their future careers too.”
Learners can get the Playbook via the bespoke web page which can be accessed by scanning QR codes displayed throughout campus and via links on the college social media channels.
www.playbook.withinu.net/coventry-college
