As we continue to mark Volunteers’ Week here in the UK, today we’re looking at some of the activities in the Faculty of Engineering, Business School and Faculty of Science. None of these events would have been possible without the incredible contribution our alumni and supporters make to the º£½ÇºÚÁÏ community. Don't forget to read our previous Volunteers' Week round-ups, focusing on Future Connections and Pathways to Practice.

Alumni and students at the Business School

This year has seen Engineering and Architecture alumni making a real impact by sharing their time, experience, and advice with current students.

In November, six accomplished Engineering alumni returned to support 42 students through a series of interactive roundtable discussions. The sessions gave students the opportunity to strengthen their networking confidence, connect directly with senior professionals, and gain practical insight into succeeding in the industry from alumni leading the way in their fields.

Our annual Where Are They Now? Engineering Showcase in February also proved to be a huge success. 32 alumni volunteered their evening to speak with more than 230 students, offering career advice, industry insight, and honest reflections on their professional journeys. With speakers ranging from recent graduates to senior industry leaders, students benefited from a wide variety of perspectives and experiences. One student attendee shared:

“All the speakers gave extremely insightful presentations that showed me what day-to-day life in industry might be like. I know this will all help me moving forward.”

Meanwhile, in Architecture, three online alumni sessions highlighted the breadth of career opportunities available across the profession, both in the UK and internationally. Covering topics from first steps after graduation to building a long-term career in the sector, the sessions were supported by eight alumni and benefited 43 students. Their openness, honesty, and willingness to share their experiences created valuable and engaging conversations throughout.

A huge thank you to all of our Engineering and Architecture alumni who have supported students this year and continue to inspire the next generation entering the profession.

If you would like to get involved in future alumni volunteering events, please register your interest here.

Business School

This year we were pleased to introduce the MSc International Business Network - an advisory group bringing together industry, alumni and academics to shape the future of international business education.

Our first meeting in March connected members with MSc International Business students and staff to explore curriculum development and share insights on the skills needed in today’s global business environment.

The Network supports the Business School by:

  • sharing insight into industry trends shaping the programme
  • advising on strategic direction and curriculum development
  • strengthening industry connections for staff and students
  • championing the MSc International Business community

You can find out more or get involved here.

Faculty of Science

Across the Faculty of Science, alumni volunteers have continued to make a huge contribution through a wide range of activities and events.

The School of Pharmacy marked an incredible milestone this year, celebrating 100 years of excellence in teaching and research. The centenary has been an opportunity to recognise the achievements of alumni who are making an impact across healthcare, industry, and policy in more than 80 countries worldwide.

As part of the celebrations, the School also hosted a special Pharmacy Centenary Webinar featuring alumna Marie-Claire Peakman (Pharmacy, 1990; PhD Physiology and Pharmacology, 1994), offering valuable reflections on her career and experience in the field.

In the School of Computer Science, we were delighted to welcome back alumnus Andy Wilson (Computer Science, 2001) to campus in May for his talk, Getting into Gaming. Andy is Chief Operating Officer at Sledgehammer Games, the studio behind titles in the hugely successful Call of Duty franchise.

The event attracted current and prospective students, alongside alumni and staff, all eager to learn more about careers in the gaming industry. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Andy shared an engaging overview of the sector, from team structures and project lifecycles to emerging trends within the industry. He also offered practical advice

If you would like to get involved in future alumni volunteering events, please register your interest here.