Hydrogen fuel cell centre and student skills programme in line for Guardian University Awards
A hydrogen fuel cell centre dedicated to supporting clean energy and a programme to help students gain new skills and boost their employability are both in line for prestigious honours at the Guardian’s University Awards 2020.
The awards are one of the University sector’s most prestigious, recognising excellence and innovation across higher education.
Manchester Metropolitan is shortlisted for awards in two categories: the Rise student skills programme is shortlisted in the Course Design, Retention and Student Outcomes category, while Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC) is shortlisted in the Business Collaboration category.
Rise is a University-wide initiative that allows students greater flexibility in their studies and helps to broaden learning.
Students can develop transferable skills through opportunities such as volunteering abroad, gaining work experience or learning a new language, alongside their usual degree.
The flexibility developed as part of Rise helps boost students’ attainment and builds extra-curricular course credit, while helping them to stand out after graduation.
By using student insight and data, the project also achieves strong representation of student groups who might be most at risk of underachievement and underemployment.
Rise has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2018 and will now see more than 3,000 students take part each year.
Dr Mark Peace, Academic Lead for Rise, said: “We’re really pleased to have been shortlisted for this award - it’s a brilliant validation of the University’s commitment to do something progressive and unique.
“The Rise programme really puts into place opportunities not just to enhance students’ experience when they are at the University, but to give them a distinct advantage as graduates when they take the next step into their careers or continued study.”
MFCIC is a cutting-edge hub that brings the latest thinking and research in clean energy and fuel cell technology in contact with businesses.
The centre is a state-of-art laboratory environment where fuel cells can be tested and emission-free hydrogen generated. Hydrogen fuel cells are already starting to play a major role in the economy, powering some buses, trains and buildings.
Amer Gaffar, Director of MFCIC, said: “We are thrilled to be nominated by the Guardian University Awards.
“Our centre was developed as a concept seven years ago alongside a wider ambition of accelerating hydrogen and fuel cell innovation, both in the UK and internationally, with resources shared to help create a more sustainable economy and society.
“We designed the very heart of the centre with business in mind. That’s why we have supported many businesses who are SMEs but equally those larger industrial businesses who are developing the market to solve a critical problem of climate change with innovation.”
The centre officially opened in 2018 with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the University at a total cost of £4.1m - £1.7m from ERDF. More than 75 SMEs have been supported so far.
As a University committed to becoming zero carbon, which echoes the City of Manchester’s ambitions to be a zero-carbon city by 2038, the centre plays a pivotal role in this goal.
By pairing with researchers and cutting-edge equipment, companies are able to test scalable applications within a laboratory setting. They can also tap into wider business University knowledge around business case development, and route-to-market and policy expertise.
The centre has additionally developed hydrogen fuel cell strategies for the region, as well as education programmes partnering with schools and colleges.
