Durham: Student wins the inaugural Global Student Prize

Jeremiah Thoronka, a student at Durham University, has won the Chegg.org Global Student Prize for his efforts in trying to combat energy poverty in his native Sierra Leone. Actor Hugh Jackman announced Jeremiah the winner of the award and $100,000. Jeremiah is the Founder of Optim Energy that transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrian footfall on roads into an electric current. The start-up has provided free electricity to 150 households comprising around 1,500 citizens, as well as 15 schools where more than 9,000 students attend. Read more here.

 

Aston: Student entrepreneurs raise £2,500 for charity

Team entrepreneurs from Team Academy Aston, comprised of Aston University’s BSc and MSc Business Enterprise Development programmes, ran, walked, cycled, and traded their way to raise more than £2,500 for charity in just five days. Beneficiaries included Birmingham RSVP; Birmingham Children’s Hospital; Cancer Research UK; WWF; Newlife; and the Make A Wish Foundation. William Graves, Regional Fundraiser from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We are so grateful that Team Academy Aston chose to support our charity as part of this project. The funds raised will help us to do more for our sick kids and families, making a real difference to all who use our hospital services.”

 

Swansea: Healthcare Technology Centre collaboration

Swansea University’s Healthcare Technology Centre has announced a research collaboration with UK sensor and medical diagnostic company Zimmer and Peacock Ltd. The project will deliver on the knowledge transfer regarding immobilisation of aptamers for screen-printed sensor development. This work will increase the choice of off-the-shelf sensors for initial research and development offered by Zimmer and Peacock to the scientific communities, while aiming to create new jobs in Swansea. Read the full story here.

 

LSBU: ‘Working for yourself’

Through a new pilot programme, ‘Freelance Fortnight’, LSBU students and graduates are exploring enterprise and entrepreneurial skills, through the lens of self-employment. Following research conducted earlier this year, the programme aims to boost skills, knowledge and confidence relevant to working for yourself, by focusing on core areas of need as identified by students and graduates themselves. Delivered in hybrid, the team facilitated 6 workshops, connecting with over 35 students/graduates online and in-person. Surveys capturing participants’ aspirations, learnings and key actions for the future, will enable the team to review and develop this activity in 2022. More information here.

 

UCL: alumnus receives prestigious humanitarian award in memory of Princess Diana

Zubair Junjunia (pictured below with Prince William), a UCL alumnus and online entrepreneur, has been recognised with a Diana Legacy award for his groundbreaking work tackling inequalities in education with his UCL startup ZNotes. Read the full story here.

Image Credit: The Diana Award