Magnus Magnusson Awards celebrate life-changing student projects

Dr Sally Magnusson with Emily Whyte, who will create a film/theatre production about the issues affecting care experienced young people in Scotland.

Glasgow Caledonian University celebrated inspiring students making a positive change in society as part of the 2024 Magnus Magnusson Awards on Monday, May 13.

The Awards, established in 2007 in honour of the University’s late Chancellor Magnus Magnusson KBE, enable students to undertake their dream projects, using their expertise and knowledge where it will make a real and lasting difference. Last year, the Magnusson Awards were recognised as a leading initiative at the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards when the University was announced as the winner of the Benefitting Society Award.

Students, staff, donors and alumni attended the event, enjoying talks from former Magnus Magnusson Award winners - Rachel, an aspiring football coach who achieved her UEFA B Licence; Andrew, who undertook an environmental internship with the United Nations in Geneva; and Erica, who volunteered her skills to help vulnerable people in Kenya. The event also featured entertainment from former Magnus Magnusson Award winner John McAlinden and his band Hunter, McMustard and Mellow.

To date 150 students have been supported through the Magnus Magnusson Awards, made possible through the work of the GCU Foundation, and the generosity of donors including Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Santander Universities, the Nicol family, Professor George and Dorothy Irving, and Elizabeth Hudson.

Speaking about her involvement in the Awards, Dr Sally Magnusson MBE FRSE said: "My father really valued his role as Chancellor of the University and genuinely believed in developing the full potential and talent of each student. There are some exceptional and innovative plans among the 2024 winners. I want to wish them luck in delivering their projects and look forward to hearing about their endeavours in the coming months.”

This year’s Magnus Magnusson Awards were presented to:

Serign Sanneh, Mike Smith Magnusson Award: who will create a music business podcast in English, Mandinka and Wolof language, as well as delivering workshops for creatives in The Gambia and across Africa.

Emily Whyte, Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award: who will create a film/theatre production about the issues affecting care experienced young people in Scotland.

J M, Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award: who will use his Award to volunteer in a school and learning centre for children and adults with disabilities in Vietnam.

Desmond Areghan, Santander Universities UK Magnusson Award: who will set up eye care units and train community health workers in Nigeria to identify early signs of common eye diseases.

Charunika Arambegedara, Nicol Family Magnusson Award: who willdeliver an educational project through after-school workshops at a primary school in a deprived community in Sri Lanka.

Nima Sherpa, George and Dorothy Irving Magnusson Award: who will participation in a course at the University of Oxford which focuses on unlocking early detection of breast cancer.

TJ Scott and Robbie McGregor, GCU Magnusson Award: whose Award will help them to design, build and race a formula style race car in the annual Formula Student Competition.

Mayokun Iyaomolere, GCU Magnusson Award:  who will develop the work of Plogging Nigeria (plogging: picking up litter whilst jogging) as well as create a plogging event in Glasgow.