Academic successes recognised at School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment Annual Celebration

Academic success were recognised at the recent School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment (SCEBE) Annual Celebration, allowing guests to reflect on a successful year.

The celebration, which takes place annually, allows current students and Alumni to come together and have their efforts recognised through academic, industry and professional body awards.

Guests at the event, which took place on April 25, were also treated to inspiring guest talks and had the opportunity to hear about exciting developments in the school.

Guests on the night included final year Computer Games Design student Maya Finlay, Mechanical Systems graduate Ruaridh McNair,  Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering student TJ Scott and Mechanical Engineering student Robbie McGregor.

Maya received the award for Best Level 3 Student for her programme, and accepting the award at the Annual Celebration was a memorable way to bookend her studies.

“It was a huge surprise that's for sure, I didn't know the University did awards! I found out my partner also won the award in his Software Development course and we felt a big sense of validation for all the hard work we had put in.” She explained.

“I think it's a really nice way to say goodbye to my time here, and it really makes me feel like I've accomplished something.”

Now approaching the end of her studies, Maya wanted to pass on some words of advice for those studying her programme. She said: “I'd mostly say to really make the most out of the people you meet, and the opportunities you get to work with others across all the games disciplines. You can meet some of the most talented and creative people who make you want to do better and inspire you.

Those are the real ‘tests’ of working in games. Grades aside, getting that hands on experience with others to really try and make something you want to show the world.”

As well as presenting awards, guests were also given an exciting insight into the GCU Racing society and even had the chance to see the car that the team had been working on. Students Robbie and TJ, had the chance to showcase the successful year that they’ve had on behalf of the team, and even gave a glimpse into their future plans.

“I felt extremely proud to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the team and showcase to everyone the achievements, talent, and ambition of our team. Getting to have our car centre stage as well was pretty surreal, considering a year ago we were just a bunch of students with a design for a car.” Robbie explained.

“Our next steps are to compete again at Silverstone this year but with the aim of getting out on track and challenging the rest of the grid.

After that it'll be back to the start of the cycle again, where we will have to get back to designing our car for 2025. We will be losing our Technical Director TJ Scott after the competition, but we already have his replacement Joe Abbot lined up and ready to take over. Many younger student members have been learning this year, themselves to be able to get much more involved.”

As well as current student awards, industry awards were presented to some recent graduates as well. Ruaridh, who received the The IMEchE Project Award during his final year, had the chance to return to the campus to receive his award for his outstanding Honours project ‘titled "A Novel Multifaceted Prescriptive Maintenance Framework’. He said: “Getting the email about receiving this award was entirely unexpected. By the time I got the news the excitement of graduation and getting a job had faded somewhat, so the news very much lit a new wave of enthusiasm.

I knew that I had made a good paper, but to be selected as the best project was really unexpected, especially having seen some of the excellent work that my fellow students were presenting alongside me.”

He added: “My final year was definitely a challenge. Even as few as three weeks before my thesis was due I had yet to get my software functional, I was half expecting to be writing a report on why my chosen approach was a dead end.

But as I got closer to the finish line things started fitting into place, and then by the end of the year, I felt like I had managed to pull off an impressive success. If I had to give any advice, it would be that you need to keep pushing right up until the finish line, as there are always going to be twists and turns in your last few months at university.”

By Rachael McAlonan

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media