Celebrating success in the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment

The School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment (SCEBE) hosted its Annual Celebration on Monday, January 20, bringing together industry leaders, students and staff for an evening of inspiration, reflection and recognition of outstanding achievements.

The event, held at the University’s Glasgow campus, provided a platform to explore opportunities for collaboration and celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of the school’s talented students.

The celebration was hosted by Sarah McMullan, a Glasgow Caledonian University alumna and experienced broadcast journalist known for her work on BBC Scotland’s Reporting Scotland and The Nine. During the evening, Sarah led engaging discussions with graduates Mark Diamond, Georgia Milton and Chloe McAdam, each of whom exemplified the benefits of industry engagement during their university journey.

Mark Diamond, an Electrical Engineer at Aggreko, was named the 2024 Graduate Apprentice of the Year for his outstanding academic and professional performance. His apprenticeship involved working on major global sporting events, including the Women’s World Cup in Australia. Georgia Milton, now a Cyber Essentials Assessor at ID Cyber Solutions, won the 2023 Best Student Award in BSc Digital Security and Networks. Her relationship with ID Cyber Solutions, established through her award, has flourished and she now mentors current cyber security students. Chloe McAdam, an Assistant Quantity Surveyor at Balfour Beatty, gained valuable industry experience through a BE-ST (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation) scholarship. She graduated with merit in 2023, earning an MSc in Quantity Surveying.

Professor Joanna Lumsden, Dean of SCEBE, provided an overview of the school’s dynamic initiatives, emphasising its commitment to innovation, industry collaboration and social responsibility. She highlighted the School’s flexible delivery options, professional accreditation of its programmes, and efforts to widen access and enhance diversity.

She said: “As one of the leading modern civic universities in the UK, we thrive on ideas, support innovation and value the importance of social responsibility and the Common Good. Our dedicated academics provide industry-aligned courses that deliver real impact and we are proud of the extensive partnerships that enhance student experiences and career outcomes. We also celebrate the formal recognition of SCEBE’s gender equality initiatives with the Athena SWAN Institutional Silver Award. “

Jill Watt, Director of GCU Foundation, Alumni Engagement & Events, presented updates on projects funded by the STEAM Fund. Founded in 2019 through a generous gift from Dr Douglas Dawson, this initiative supports scholarships and outreach to promote diversity and access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) careers. The annual support of industry prize donors enables a broader impact by funding awards, scholarships and mentorship programmes.

Industry Prize Winners 2025

  • Balfour Beatty: Best Level 3 Student, Joshua Luke Foster (BSc Hons Quantity Surveying) and Scott McIntosh (BSc Hons Construction Management)
  • Barrier Networks: Best Level 3 Student, Matthew Morrison (BSc Hons Cyber Security and Networks)
  • Clancy Consulting: Best Level 3 Student, Matthew Calum Sinclair (BEng Hons Building Services Engineering) and Hannah Moon (BSc Hons Environmental Management)
  • Glasgow Caledonian University: Best Level 3 Student, Nojus Vakauskas (BEng Hons Electrical and Electronic Engineering) and Jason Kan (BSc Hons 3D Animation and Visualisation)
  • Frick & Frack Games: Best Level 3 Student, Fraser Connolly (BSc Hons Games Development)
  • Gamma: Best Level 3 Student, Sandra Maria Knapczyk (BSc Hons Computing)
  • George Leslie: Best Level 3 Student, Alan Kenneth MacEwan (BEng Hons Environmental Civil Engineering)
  • ID Cyber Solutions: Best Level 3 Student, Matthew Glennie (BSc Hons Digital Security and Forensics)
  • Merck: Best Level 3 Student, Freya Rose Baird (BSc Hons Forensic Investigation)
  • Sabio: Best Level 3 Student, Ross James Fleming (BSc Hons Software Development for Business)
  • Thales: Best Level 3 Student, Stewart Wilson (BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering)
  • Trades House of Glasgow: Best Level 3 Student, Andrew O’Neill (BSc Hons Building Surveying)
  • Signum Audio: Best Level 3 Student, Ryan Andrew Fleming (BSc Hons Audio Technology)
  • XBURO: Best Level 3 Student, Elliot Alexander Coyne (BEng Hons Electrical Power Engineering)

Additionally, several Professional Body awards were announced:

  • CIBSE Scotland: Top Level 4 Student, Aedan Joseph Crilley (BEng Hons Building Services Engineering)
  • Scottish Ground Engineering Group: Top Level 4 Student, Ashley Mair (BSc Hons Environmental Civil Engineering)
  • Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC): Best Project, Michael Olatunbosun Farounbi (MSc Applied Instrumentation and Control)
  • Institution of Engineers in Scotland (IES): Top Level 4 Student, Peter Scheibenhoffer (MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
  • Worshipful Company of Firefighters: Best FRE Dissertation, Robert Irving Maberley (BSc Hons Fire Risk Engineering)