Sophie Powell, a recent BSc Cyber Security graduate, has been named Cyber Student of the Year at the National Cyber Awards 2023. This recognition is a result of her inspirational work to promote gender diversity and equality within cyber security.

The prestigious National Cyber Awards, now in their fifth year, bring together cyber professionals from across public and private sectors to celebrate excellence and innovation in the UK’s cyber security industry.

Sophie has made significant contributions to education and learning in the cyber security space. Notably, she co-founded CyberWomen@Warwick in her second year at university. This initiative was launched in collaboration with the Cyber Security academic team and fellow students.

Since its inception, CyberWomen@Warwick has grown into the CyberWomen Groups Community Interest Company (CIC). The non-profit CIC, directed by Sophie, supports branches of students in different UK universities looking to spotlight the importance of diversity in STEM. It currently has four active branches, CyberWomen@Warwick, CyberWomen@Coventry, CyberWomen@Portsmouth, CyberWomen@UWE, with plans to expand in the future. Executives within each branch work directly with the CIC to set and achieve their own diversity goals and ambitions.

Reflecting on her journey with CyberWomen Groups CIC, Sophie said: “We started this company to ensure every woman in university studying Cyber Security is welcomed into a safe, inclusive environment, where they can flourish both personally and professionally. We look to provide opportunities and resources to encourage a smooth transition into the Cyber industry and create a community that welcomes everybody from different walks of life.”

Alongside Sophie’s success, two current BSc Cyber Security students, Anahitha Vijay and Oscar Williamson, were also recognised at the National Cyber Awards as finalists in the Cyber Student of the Year category.

Dr Sandy Taramonli, Assistant Professor and Course Leader for BSc Cyber Security, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our students for their remarkable achievement. It’s a clear reflection of their hard work, dedication, and the exceptional skills they’ve developed during their time with us. The support from our Cyber Security course team and our commitment to our students’ growth have been key to this success. A hearty congratulations to all, and here’s to more success in the future!”

See the full list of 2023 finalists and winners of the National Cyber Awards 2023.

The start of this year’s 2023 academic year has been particularly busy for Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG. Over the last few months, he has had the privilege of connecting with counterparts at universities worldwide, engaging with international students, and meeting members of the Warwick alumni community.

In October, Professor Robin Clark; and Associate Professor and Director of Overseas Programmes, Mike Newton, travelled to Singapore to attend the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) graduation.

WMG and SIM have a global education partnership allowing students in Singapore to receive a degree from WMG. A total of 45 students graduated, many of whom completed their course during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Dean of WMG, Professor Robin Clark, said, "At the ceremony, we celebrated the students' latest achievement on their path to leadership. Overcoming various challenges, they earned the University of Warwick qualification through their dedicated efforts. Their graduation is a testament to their academic success and a promising sign of their potential to positively influence our shared future. They're poised to make a meaningful impact by fostering connections, promoting sustainability, and contributing to a more productive world around us."

From Singapore, Professor Clark and Mike Newton, then travelled to Beijing to attend the Beijing City University (BCU) graduation. Similar to SIM, BCU and WMG have a global education partnership allowing students in Beijing to receive a degree from WMG.

Professor Clark said, “At BCU, we had an engaging roundtable discussion on project management, followed by insightful speeches, the presentation of awards, the symbolic turning of tassels, and memorable group photos."

After a brief return to the UK, Professor Clark then travelled to the University of Pentecost and University of Ghana where he gave the keynote at the University of Ghana's First Annual Engineering Conference on Sustainable Innovative Technologies for Development.

Professor Clark added, “It was a privilege to be invited to address the audience. I had the honour to meet the Dean of the University of Ghana, Engineering, and several colleagues for an informative discussion about collaboration.”

Catch up on the University of Ghana's First Annual Engineering Conference and Professor Clark’s keynote here: https://www.youtube.com/live/be7yHiADbwg?si=2LYMrrzcTLA_39Br

In November, Professor Clark, Professor Dan Nunan, Associate Dean (Postgraduate) and Dr. Mosh Mujthaba (Academic Director, Hong Kong) travelled to Hong Kong to attend the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) graduation ceremony. Like Warwick, HK PolyU is ranked in the top 100 Universities in the world and has a strong partnership with WMG that has been running for 33 years.

This was the first in-person graduation ceremony attended by WMG faculty members since 2019 and with students graduating all having their studies affected by COVID.

Professor Clark said, "More than 2,000 postgraduate students have now graduated from joint programmes as part of the longstanding WMG – PolyU partnership. With record numbers of applications and strong student numbers, we look forward to this partnership continuing to flourish in the future. At the ceremony, it was wonderful to celebrate students’ success, recognising that many graduating had overcome numerous challenges over the COVID period in order to succeed in their studies."

To wrap up the final leg of Professor Clark’s international travels for 2023, he recently accompanied the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Stuart Croft, on a trip to India to meet with members of the Warwick alumni community at two receptions in New Delhi and Mumbai.

The focal points of the alumni receptions centred around Warwick's upcoming 60th anniversary in 2025, and the transformative potential of WMG in addressing global challenges.

Professor Clark had the opportunity to connect with potential partners and revive relationships. As part of the visit, he met with Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry, at CII House in New Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen the relationship between CII and WMG.

Professor Clark also held meetings with senior representatives at Tata Trusts and then Tata Power. He concluded his trip by visiting the CII Naoroji Godrej Centre of Excellence, where he discussed the possibility of developing new education partnerships.

Professor Clark said: “These global experiences underscore my commitment to international engagement and highlight the profound impact of cultivating a worldwide network. Connecting with alumni globally is a cornerstone of the University's dedication to building enduring relationships, contributing to the collective success of a global academic community like no other.”

Follow more updates from Professor Clark here: (19) Professor Robin Clark (@Prof_RobinClark) / X (twitter.com)

WMG students put diversity and inclusion in the spotlight at The CyberWomen Conference 2023 last month. With over 200 industry professionals, academics, and students coming together to learn, network, and collaborate, the second annual conference was a resounding success.

This year the Conference was jointly organised by two branches of CyberWomen Groups Community Interest Company (CIC), CyberWomen@Warwick and CyberWomen@Coventry. CyberWomen@Warwick is a student-led initiative, founded by staff at WMG’s Cyber Security Centre in collaboration with students on WMG’s Cyber Security undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The initiative aims to inspire more women into the cyber security industry and promote inclusivity and positive change within STEM.

The Conference welcomed cyber security experts from across the UK, including Chani Simms, Illyana Mullins, Vanessa Eyles, Janette Bonar Law, and Matt Treadwell, who shared insights and facilitated interactive workshops, providing attendees with a chance to delve deeper into the cyber security industry.

Alongside inspiring talks, the Conference also offered an Opportunities Hub to connect non-profit organisations with students and industry professionals, showcasing the diverse opportunities within the cyber security sector.

Elise Ghent, BSc Cyber Security student and President of CyberWomen@Warwick, said: “It was an amazing day, a really great turnout, and hopefully more eyes on why diversity in cyber security is important. A big thank you to everyone that attended, as well as the support that we have had along the way from so many different people.”

To keep the audience on their toes, prizes (sponsored by cyber security training platform, TryHackMe) were up for grabs through several social media competitions.

Building on the achievements of the inaugural CyberWomen@Warwick Conference, the 2023 event represents another step forward in promoting diversity, knowledge, and collaboration within the cyber security community.

Dr Elizabeth Titis, Assistant Professor and Academic Lead for CyberWomen@Warwick, said “I am extremely proud of CyberWomen@Warwick. I have been involved in this fantastic initiative from the outset and have seen it grow exponentially. This event is evidence that with appropriate support our girls can do absolutely remarkable things!

"Congratulations to all the students and staff involved who together worked on CyberWomen@Warwick to address the gender gap in cyber security by creating long lasting career choices for women."

Find out more about the CyberWomen Groups CIC.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor in Technology Management and Systems Engineering, Dr Devon Allcoat; and Head of eLearning, Chris Evans at WMG at the University of Warwick, who have co-authored a new text book entitled ‘Meaningful Game Design.’

Routledge, publisher of professional and academic books, approached Dr Allcoat and Mr Evans after hearing about specific modules that form part of WMG’s e-Business Management and Games Engineering full-time Master’s programmes, and the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning's (IATL) undergraduate offerings.

The book provides readers with the tools and methods with which to create effective tabletop games. It covers the design and development process guiding readers through the necessary mechanics, messages, and motivations of games that must be understood in order to build successful tabletop games, including educational games for teaching or training.

It includes chapters on design methodology, narrative, accessibility and playtesting, and aims to support students on game design courses, as well as appealing to designers, teachers and hobbyists.

Dr Allcoat explains: “This book teaches core principals of game design, applicable to all types of games. In our increasingly digital age, it discusses hybrid games and digital elements, but doesn’t forget the human component, also exploring psychology and accessibility.”

Meaningful Game Design is widely available online and in book shops. A 20% discount code EFL03 is available if purchased directly via www.routledge.com. This code expires on 31 December 2023.

The Outreach Team at WMG, University of Warwick was pleased to welcome pupils from local schools to a special Student Project Showcase event supported by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Over 100, year 10, students from the WMG Academies for Young Engineers in Coventry and Solihull were invited to the event held at the University of Warwick campus.

The year 10 pupils had a chance to see for themselves the remarkable engineering projects from Warwick Racing; Warwick Rail; Warwick Submarine; Warwick Moto and Warwick Robotics.

CyberWomen@Warwick students also took part. The group of female students strive to empower future talent, with a specific focus on women, in cyber security.

Caroline Cannon, Outreach Project Officer at WMG, who organised the Showcase, explained: “ With these types of events, and across all of our outreach activities, we work with our partners to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists and engineers to pursue careers in STEM in an attempt to close the engineering skills gap.”

Claire Morris, Associate Principal at the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Solihull, said: “ I have heard nothing but great feedback from Year 10 students, and the staff involved. Thank you Caroline, to you and your team for organising this event, and thanks to the WMG team for making it happen.”

Caroline Cannon added: “ The Showcase was also a good experience for our new cohort of University of Warwick engineering students to build confidence talking about the various projects.”

A University of Warwick student and Warwick Rail team member said: “What I liked most about the event was seeing the students (from the Academies) getting stuck into the activities and thinking critically about the projects.”

WMG support a variety of undergraduate student projects with connections to industry partners. The selection of student-led projects shows the breadth and depth of skills that the students apply both individually and collaboratively as part of a team.

Each project is supported and assisted by PhD students, academics, technicians, and industry sponsors. Dave Cooper, Engineering Technician at WMG supporting Student Projects said: “Students that work on these projects have had the most amazing opportunities from placements, scholarships and jobs with companies such as McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Norton and Triumph.”

Students gain valuable practical and project management skills with each team member being assigned a role and area of responsibility, from engineering and technical lead to marketing and sales support. The projects develop students; teach time management and risk management; group working; and give practical hands-on experience.

WMG and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult provide some seed funding, but the individual teams are responsible for securing sponsors and raising funds. Feedback from employers suggests that these projects produce some of the most employable graduates in the market.

Find out more about the student projects here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/about/outreach/studentproject/

Fernando Conde Nodal, undergraduate turned PhD student, talks through his time in the Department of Chemistry and how his education and experience inspired him to study further.

WMG’s Cyber Security undergraduate degree has received recognition for its cutting-edge education after receiving full certification from the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

The BSc Cyber Security at the University of Warwick offers a strong foundation in cyber security principles and practical skills, allowing graduates to make meaningful contributions in organisations by safeguarding sensitive information and defending against cyberattacks.

The course is one of only nine fully-certified undergraduate degrees recognised by the NCSC. This certification can help prospective students to make better informed choices when looking for a cyber security course. Employers will also recognise the degree and will benefit from recruiting employees who have had an opportunity to develop their skills in cyber security through a course which has high-quality teaching.

The BSc Cyber Security is the third programme at WMG to gain similar national recognition; both the MSc Cyber Security Engineering and the MSc Cyber Security Management are fully certified by the NCSC.

The University is also recognised by the NCSC as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE) and an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR). This level of recognition demonstrates Warwick’s broader commitment to excellence in cyber security education and research, both nationally and in local communities.

Dr Harjinder Lallie, Associate Professor at WMG said: “Being one of only two institutions in the UK with five NCSC certifications underlines the commitment to a world-class cyber security curriculum and associated research programme.

“The upgrade from provisional to full certification has highlighted the effort and commitment the cyber security team have made to the education we offer and helps provide confidence to incoming students as well as employers about our commitment to quality.”

NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, Chris Ensor said: “The certification of the University of Warwick’s BSc Cyber Security degree by the NCSC demonstrates our shared commitment to responsibly developing the cyber security talent pipeline.

“Offering an NCSC-certified degree helps prospective students make better informed choices about the quality of courses available, and employers can be assured that graduates will be well-taught and have valued industry skills.”

Find out more about the BSc Cyber Security undergraduate degree here: www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/undergraduate/cyber

WMG at the University of Warwick’s MSc Engineering Business Management alumnus, Kanishka Arumugam, has been appointed as an Honorary Fellow at the University’s Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD).

Kanishka Arumugam is Co-CEO of EKKI Water Technologies, his family’s business, based in Coimbatore, India. The company efficiently and sustainably pumps and transports water for agriculture, building services, and utilities, exporting its products to more than 20 countries.

As part of his commitment to sustainable innovation, he is the driving force behind the first wastewater joint venture in collaboration with HOMA, a renowned global wastewater technology company.

Kanishka Arumugam also holds the distinction of being the youngest National Next-Gen President at the CII Family Business Network. He also serves as a Trustee in his family's educational institutions and actively engages in various advisory roles for international start-ups and institutions.

In his role as an Honorary Fellow, he will share his unique insights on how businesses can be a force for good; promote sustainability in the water industry; and support students in gaining a broader understanding of entrepreneurship and sustainable global development.

Professor Elena Korosteleva, Director of IGSD at the University of Warwick, commented: “We extend our warmest welcome to Kanishka to our Institute for Global Sustainable Development. We’re excited to have him bring a fresh perspective on sustainable development and bridge the gap between academia and business, particularly through his involvement with water and wastewater industry globally.”

Kanishka Arumugam, CEO of EKKI Water Technologies, added: "I am deeply humbled and honored by the privilege of being appointed as an Honorary Fellow at the University of Warwick, my esteemed alma mater, which ranks among the top 5% in the world.

“At Oxford University, I honed my leadership acumen and gained a deeper comprehension of human interactions, while the University of Warwick provided me with the resources for applied academia and instilled in me a passion for global competitiveness and sustainable development.

“My close interactions with the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya and Professor Sujit Banerji at WMG have further emphasized, within the context of EKKI, the critical importance of sustainability and global competitiveness.

“Whenever I step onto the Warwick campus, I am inspired by the incredibly bright minds filled with curiosity and ambition. I eagerly anticipate contributing my best in the coming years within this unique learning environment alongside this brilliant faculty and state-of-the-art facilities."

Professor Steve Maggs, Director of Alumni and Industrial Engagement with Education at WMG said :“It’s great to see Kanishka supporting Warwick through the IGSD. Kaniskha’s remarkable achievements and commitment to positive change make him a fantastic ambassador for the University – this is a great example of the importance of maintaining a lifelong relationship with our former students and the positive opportunities those relationships can foster. Congratulations Kanishka!”

Other distinguished Honorary Fellows of the IGSD include esteemed members of the House of Lords, such as Baroness Sheehan and Lord Teverson. The University has a history of recognising accomplished individuals with connections to India, including prominent figures like Mr. Ratan Tata, the former Chairman of the TATA Group, Mr. Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motors, and Sir Ralf Speth, the former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, all of whom have received Honorary Doctorates and Honorary Fellow titles from the University.

Find out more about the WMG Alumni community here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/alumni/

The University of Warwick's teaching has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the UK Government's Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

The University achieved the highest possible rating across all three categories for student experience, student outcomes, and for the overall assessment.

Out of 228 universities which took part in the TEF, Warwick was one of 26 to achieve the gold standard across all three. Warwick was one of only four Russell Group universities - including Oxford, Cambridge and Exeter - to achieve this.

It is the latest in a series of top ratings the University has been awarded over recent weeks.

The expert panel concluded that most student experience and student outcomes were of “outstanding quality”, including for students from under-represented backgrounds.

TEF is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) which aims to encourage higher education providers to deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

The ratings provide students and parents with an independent assessment of the quality of the education delivered by universities within these key areas.

The University has also demonstrated strong progress in closing the attainment gaps for students from disadvantaged backgrounds including those who might have not considered university an option for them in the past. Data from TEF showed better outcomes for students at Warwick from neighbourhoods where less people attend university, and those studying part-time, compared to similar groups of students at other universities.

Commenting on Warwick’s results, Stuart Croft, Warwick’s Vice-Chancellor and President said: “This is an outstanding achievement which recognises the fundamental quality of a Warwick education.

“We’re incredibly proud to have been ranked gold across both the experience students have whilst at Warwick, as well as their outcomes once they have left university.

“These results, which place Warwick as one a handful of institutions to achieve full gold rankings, is a phenomenal achievement for the people responsible – our innovative and remarkable staff and students.”

Professor Gill Cooke, WMG’s Pro Dean (Education) said: “TEF gold standard confirms the commitment and dedication to the student experience from my colleagues in WMG, and it is a delight to have our achievements recognised.”

Warwick was also recently rated as a Top 10 university in the UK by The Guardian, The Daily Mail and The Times. The National Student Survey meanwhile found that 82% of students at Warwick said they would recommend their University to future students.

Find out more about TEF 2023 here.

Congratulations to the first apprentices to complete a Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship at WMG, University of Warwick, who graduated at the end of July. Of the 68 graduates, an impressive 44% achieved a first class degree.

Established in 2019, the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions (DTS) Degree Apprenticeship has been developed in collaboration with employers in the engineering sector. The programme brings together academia and industry to empower early talent to become confident technology solutions professionals.

As technology advances and the digital skills gap in the UK widens, employers are seeking new ways to innovate and adapt. Apprentices on the DTS Degree Apprenticeship spend four years studying and working, developing the high-quality skills that companies need for business growth. Apprentices graduate with the ability to deliver technology solutions to develop new products and services, and increase productivity using digital technologies.

WMG is passionate about supporting organisations with their workforce strategies, whether that be upskilling employees or recruiting new talent. The Degree Apprenticeship team has built strong employer partnerships to provide programmes that equip employees with the specialised skills that businesses need now, and for the future.

Edward Stone, Senior Careers Cohort Lead at JLR, commented on the impact of DTS apprentices on the business: “At JLR we have been involved from the inception of the DTS Degree Apprenticeship programme, working closely with WMG in its development and application for our business. The knowledge and skills being developed by our apprentices play a key part in closing a critical skills gap fundamental to the ongoing success of JLR as we undertake the transformation of our business to meet the ever-changing challenges of the automotive industry.”

Reflecting on this important milestone for our graduates and for the DTS Degree Apprenticeship programme, Professor Gill Cooke, Pro-Dean (Education) at WMG said: “I am delighted that DTS has had its first graduating cohort; WMG colleagues have completed some incredible work to enable our students to graduate on the course across various discipline streams. Well done to our first graduates!”

Associate Professor and Course Lead for the DTS Degree Apprenticeship programme, Dr Alaa Al Sebae, added: “I was filled with joy when witnessing the first cohort of graduates walking across the stage with smiles and pride. Their dedication and hard work over the past four years studying while working have set an exceptional standard for future learners. We are truly proud of their accomplishments and have no doubt that they will continue to shine brightly in their current and future careers.

“We hope to maintain close connections, and that they visit frequently as guest speakers to inspire future cohorts. Congratulations once again to our graduates, and may you move forward to make a positive impact in the world!”

Associate Professor and DTS Degree Apprenticeship Founding Course Leader and Course Designer, Dr Freeha AzmatLink opens in a new window, said: “It was a huge pleasure to welcome the first DTS cohort to WMG four years ago, and I am so excited to see all of them progressing to the next stage of their careers now.

“The continuous effort and hard work of apprentices, close collaboration between employers and the University team from course inception to the delivery phase has made this programme successful. Congratulations to all.”

For more information about WMG Degree Apprenticeships, please contact the team or visit the website.