The Bolt Spring/Summer 2014

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THE BOLT
News from the University of Bolton
On your marks!
Olympic cyclist Jason Kenny OBE
joins us at Autosport International
Issue 22 Spring/Summer 2014
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WHAT’S
NEW
Welcome to the University of Bolton magazine,
packed with news.
In this issue we see the development of the
University’s commitment to build through
partnership.
CONTENTS
£10m UTC for Bolton
New Engineering and Healthcare specialist
college to open in 2015
In a unique partnership with Bolton Council and
NHS Bolton, the University built the centre for
health, leisure and research, Bolton One, which
opened in 2012.
Courting success
Now the University has opened a Centre for
Advanced Performance Engineering on campus,
together with professional race team RLR Msport
(page 12-15). We are now the first University in
the UK to have a professional race team on
campus, giving our students unparalleled access to
their industry and work experience throughout
their studies.
Dr Who’s SFX wizard joins us
We are now working with dental care company,
Ravat & Ray, who have just opened a practice on
campus (page 18) with whom we have plans to
expand into related courses in the future.
Engineering of its kind
Winning Government approval for the £10 million
Bolton University Technical College is a great
triumph for the University and the town. The UTC
bid has been led by the University, but again
partnership working will be key to the UTC’s
success. The Cohens Group and Ravat & Ray
Dental Care will play a major role in developing
the UTC that will focus on Engineering
Technologies and Healthcare Sciences.
Working together: University of Bolton and
Deana Morris
The Editor
Double doctorate
A new basketball academy opens on campus
Writers
Deana Morris
Jordan Kenny
Adam Martin
Photographer
Adrian Greenhalgh
6
The man behind the monsters, Neill Gorton, is our new
Visiting Professor
7
The CAPE crusaders
The first Centre for Advanced Performance
12-15
Dentists on campus
Ravat & Ray Dental Care
18
With many thanks
A round up of the Marriott Trust’s generous support
19
A unique honour for New York College Group
President, Elias Foutsis
All Bolt inquiries to:
Deana Morris, Editor
The Bolt
Communications and Publications
University of Bolton
T: 01204 903007
E: [email protected]
3
20
Understanding plant life
A step forward in the search for climate-resilient crops
21
Groundbreaking smart material
Taking the pressure off for wheelchair users
22
Welcome home
Eighties alumni relive their student days
24
The Mayor’s town
Cllr Colin Shaw gives us his Bolton highlights
25
Designer
Spirit Associates
Front cover: Racing cars as well as bicycles –
Jason Kenny OBE with us at Autosport
International
Back cover: Promotion for the Creative Show at
the University
This newsletter has been printed by B & D Print Ltd (Leyland), who are members
of the Woodland Trust and ISO 14001 accredited, using vegetable-based inks and
using Forest Stewardship Council approved paper stocks.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
3
BBS brings
business leaders
together
Bolton Business School (BBS) is hosting a
series of special guest networking events with
North West business leaders.
The Chairman of Wigan Athletic Football Club, Dave Whelan,
the BBC’s newest ‘dragon’, Piers Linney and Manchester
Airport Group (MAG) CEO, Charlie Cornish have joined
invited guests at three events held recently.
Along with his role with Wigan Athletic, Dave Whelan
currently runs DW Fitness, a nationwide chain of gyms and
health centres. During his business career he has also owned
JJB Sports which, at its peak, was one of the UK’s most
popular and recognisable high street brands.
Dave entertained guests with many stories from his career,
not least of which was the tale of how he came to buy
Wigan Athletic when they were languishing in the old third
division and struggling to pay their players. He was ridiculed
for claiming he could take them to the Premier League within
10 years, but he did just that. In 2013, at the age of 76, Dave
led his team onto the pitch at Wembley for the FA Cup final
and watched his team beat favourites Manchester City to lift
the cup.
Piers Linney is the Co-CEO of the cloud-based IT business
Outsourcery, but best known for being a 'dragon' on the
BBC Two business series Dragons' Den.
The entrepreneur talked with TV presenter, Gordon Burns, at
an evening event which attracted business leaders from
across the region.
The entrepreneur, who started his first business at the age of
13, went on to study law at Manchester University and said
he would advise young people to pursue education whilst
building up their business experience.
Charlie Cornish told invited guests at a breakfast meeting
about Manchester Airport’s aims to be a key hub of business
and investment for China and a gateway to the North West
region for other emerging markets.
Charlie spoke about many different topics, including his varied
career path on the road to heading up the UK’s largest British
owned airport operator and the future of the group.
Pictured are Dave Whelan (top), Piers Linney (pictured
middle) and Charlie Cornish (pictured bottom).
4
UNIVERSITY NEWS
New Chancellor for Bolton
The University of Bolton has
appointed The Rt Hon Lord
Justice Ryder as its next
Chancellor.
Lord Justice Ryder succeeds The
Baroness Morris of Bolton OBE DL
DPhil LLD. One of the UK’s leading
judges, Sir Ernest opened the
University’s new Law Court last year.
At that event he lectured on The
Modernisation of Family Justice, which
as a senior High Court Judge, he has
been instrumental in reshaping in
recent times.
Sir Ernest was born and raised locally
as well as educated at Bolton School.
He graduated from the University of
Cambridge. Sir Ernest has been judge
of the High Court of Justice (Family
Division) since 2004, the Presiding
Judge Northern Circuit since 2009, is
the senior Judge in England tasked with
the modernisation of family justice and
in 2013 was elevated to the Court of
Appeal being appointed a Lord Justice
of Appeal.
Said the University of Bolton’s Vice
Chancellor, Professor George Holmes:
‘Sir Ernest’s appointment is a significant
step for the University. His academic
rigour, his eminent standing in a subject
area which is central to the University’s
future growth and his connection to us
– and our town – make him the
natural successor to Lady Morris. We
are very pleased he has accepted our
invitation to be the next Chancellor of
the University of Bolton.’
The Bolt will carry a full report of the
Chancellor Installation Ceremony in its
next issue.
University bids farewell
to first Chancellor
The University of Bolton has
said goodbye to its first
Chancellor, The Baroness
Morris of Bolton OBE DL
DPhil LLD.
Lady Morris took up the position in
January 2010. During her four-year
tenure she has been a strong
supporter of the University, helping it
to build relationships that have
supported its development both at
home and in the Arabian Peninsula.
Lady Morris has presided over Degree
Congregation Ceremonies in Bolton as
well as at the University’s Ras Al
Khaimah campus.
A life peer, Lady Morris entered the
House of Lords in 2004 prior to which
she was Vice-Chairman of the
Conservative Party with responsibility
for candidates.
Said the University’s Vice Chancellor,
Professor George Holmes: ‘The
appointment of Lady Morris was an
historic one for the University. She has
been a fabulous asset for the
University and has supported us in our
endeavours to build a University with
Award for Lord Justice Ryder
The Rt Hon Lord Justice Ryder, then Chancellor
Designate of the University of Bolton, was awarded
an honorary doctorate at the last Degree
Congregation Ceremonies.
The Baroness Morris of Bolton OBE DL DPhil LLD, then
incumbent Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said of Sir
Ernest: ‘He is a particularly exceptional man, but more than
that, he is a really nice man. He will support and encourage,
he will be a wonderful cheerleader for this University.’
He told graduands: ‘I am honoured to be associated with
Bolton and this University. The spirit of inquiry and
conversation – that is the essence of our values.’
global reach as well as taking a keen
interest in our students and staff.
‘We will be forever indebted to Lady
Morris for her heartfelt support and
the conviction with which she has
carried out her duties.’
UNIVERSITY NEWS
5
New Chair of Governors
As the new Chair of
Governors, the Right Revd
Bishop Nigel McCulloch KCVO,
replaces Ms Marianne NevilleRolfe CB LLD, who retired in
late 2013 after nearly a decade
of service to the University.
Bishop McCulloch was the 11th Bishop
of Manchester. In 2013, he was
honoured with a knighthood by the
Queen and named a Knight Commander
of the Victorian Order (KCVO). He is
the first Bishop of Manchester to be
knighted.
On his new role as Chair, Bishop
McCulloch said: ‘The Board of Governors
has set the University’s long-term
strategic vision to maintain and improve
the quality of teaching and course
credentials, keep the University
sustainable and attractive to students
and to target influential people.
Essentially, the key role of the Chair is
to facilitate and the strategic vision will
be my priority.’
Bishop McCulloch has received two
awards recently for his work
supporting communities. Manchester
City Council and the Lesbian Gay
Foundation presented him with the
Alan Turing Award, for his ‘significant
contribution towards the fight against
homophobia’ across Greater
Manchester. And with members of
Greater Manchester Poverty
Commission, which he chaired, he won
an award for their report as ‘the best
campaign in Manchester’ at the Spirit
of Manchester Awards.
Prof Morris takes on Deputy Chair role
His Honour Professor William
Morris succeeds Bishop
McCulloch as the new Deputy
Chair of Governors.
Professor Morris was the Resident
Judge of the Crown Court in Bolton
and was appointed Honorary Recorder
of Bolton by the town's local authority.
The University of Bolton dedicated its
new £100,000 Moot Law Court to
Professor Morris and he was awarded
an Honorary Doctorate by the
University for his outstanding
contribution to law in 2008.
In his new role on the Board of
Governors, Professor Morris aims to
boost the University’s provision in the
local community. He said: ‘How many
people from the town know about the
fantastic facilities at the University?
Building and developing lasting
relationships with the Bolton society at
large is a major priority for the
University and me.’
Bolton wins approval for £10m UTC
The University of Bolton has won approval for
a new University Technical College (UTC) for
Bolton.
It was announced in January that the University has been
successful in winning Government approval for a £10 million
University Technical College, to be built at the University’s
main campus.
UTCs are a new concept in education. They offer 14-19 year
olds the opportunity to take highly regarded, technicallyoriented courses of study in conjunction with academic
subjects. UTCs are equipped to the highest standard, and
offer clear progression routes into higher education or
further learning and sustained employment.
The UTC is planned to open in September 2015.
Said Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Professor
George Holmes: ‘This is great news for Bolton and is unique
in the UK. For the first time, on one campus, we have a
University, an FE College, a Sixth Form College and the new
UTC. Bolton UTC will develop young people in two great
strengths of our region – Engineering Technologies and
Healthcare Sciences – where there is a need for well educated,
career-focused new recruits. This is exactly what our UTC will
aim to provide – a clear line of sight towards sustained
employment or higher learning.’
6
UNIVERSITY NEWS
NBA basketball
star opens
academy at
University
The University of Bolton has
a new basketball academy on
campus – with its sights set on
professional status.
a
The former American basketball star
and now coach, Malcolm Leak, is
putting his player-students through
their paces – seven days a week,
with twice-a-day training sessions.
And Malcolm’s goal is to have a
professional basketball team for
Bolton in two years.
Malcolm is focused on seeing his
team excel academically as well as
in their chosen sport: ‘I want to
know my players are working as hard
at their studies as they do at their
game,’ said Malcolm. ‘If they are not
pushing to do their best on their courses,
they won’t make the first-team cut.’
Malcolm played in the National Basketball
Association (NBA) for the Los Angeles
Clippers before going on to play around
the world – from Australia to Brazil. He
came to the UK, playing in London, Leicester
and Newcastle before moving into coaching.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
7
Dr Who SFX wizard new Visiting Prof
He has created aliens that have battled a Time
Lord and worked with some of Hollywood’s
biggest directors. Now Neill Gorton is coming
to Bolton to take up a visiting professorship at
the University.
Neill is founder and co-director of Millennium FX, an
internationally renowned prosthetics and make-up studio that
is the creative force behind Doctor Who’s award winning
aliens and monsters. From the Sontorans to the Cybermen,
Neill and his team are responsible for recreating Doctor
Who’s enemies and allies since the show returned to
television screens in 2005.
Neill and his team worked on the landmark 50th anniversary
of Doctor Who. A special feature-length episode, The Day of
the Doctor, was screened on BBC One and in cinemas
around the world in November. One of the biggest TV
events of the year, it brought the then current Doctor, played
by Matt Smith, face-to-face with his predecessor David
Tennant and screen legend John Hurt, who played the War
Doctor.
As well as providing special make-up and prosthetic effects
on one of the BBC’s flagship shows, Neill’s company has also
worked with a who’s who of Hollywood directors such as
Stephen Spielberg, Ridley Scott and Peter Jackson. His movie
credits include some of the biggest films in recent history, like
Saving Private Ryan, The Hobbit and Gravity.
Sport Rehab take on World Cup stars
The Welsh and Fijian rugby league squads gave
Sport Rehabilitation students a taste of their
professional futures when they arrived at
Bolton One during the Rugby League World
Cup.
Second and third-year University of Bolton students massaged
players’ aching muscles in 20-minute massage sessions which
were part of a full day’s recovery programme.
Fiji and Wales made use of the University’s £31 million health,
leisure and research complex, Bolton One, for strength and
conditioning as well as post game and training recovery. The
Welsh rugby league squad also used the mobile cryotherapy
unit at Bolton One and the swimming pool as part of their
recovery day sessions.
Said head coach, Iestyn Harris (pictured left): ‘We’ve used the
cryotherapy unit throughout the tournament which helped us
recover from games. To be able to come into Bolton
University and have a full day’s recovery is something you just
don’t get at home.’ Fiji winger, Akuila Uate added: ‘The facilities
here at the University are really good, very professional.’
The UK hosted the 2013 tournament in November which
featured 14 nations.
8
STUDENT NEWS
Olympic Psychology for Bolton's
sporting students
Olympian and international handball player,
Holly Lam-Moores, recently shared her London
2012 experience with Sports Science and
Psychology students at the University.
but also very exciting. It was an athlete’s paradise, I’ll never
forget it.’
Holly now works training young people to play handball and
promoting the sport at grassroots level.
Holly was one of the star players on the Team GB’s women’s
handball team. She has been playing the sport since year
eight in high school. At the age of 17 she left home and
moved to Denmark for six years to improve her handballing
skills, working her way up to international level and preparing
for the London 2012 Olympics.
It was these traits – dedication, hard work and perseverance
– that Holly presented to the University’s students. She also
talked about the psychological make-up needed to be a top
athlete in a minority sport: ‘You have to be mentally tough to
be an elite athlete in any Olympic discipline, but especially a
minority sport.’
In 2010 Holly was named British Olympic Association (BOA)
Handball Player of the Year which coincided with her signing
her professional contract. She said: ‘That was a great year for
me. I’d worked so hard to work my way up through the
levels of Danish handball. To sign a professional contract was
the pinnacle. Then to get the award from the BOA, it was
very special.’
That was all before she took part in London 2012. She said:
‘The Olympic experience was surreal. It was very demanding
Madalina has designs on prizes
University of Bolton Graphic
Design student, Madalina
Richardson (pictured left) is
racking up the awards for her
talents.
With fellow student Sophie Campbell
she was selected as one of 20
international winners in a contest
judged by ‘the globally famous’ David
Carson.
Madalina and Sophie, saw their work
printed in a special edition book and it
was shown at an exclusive exhibition in
Rome.
The competition was Utilita Manifesta’s
Energy for All. Utilita Manifesta is an
Italian design organisation that
specialises in creative design with a
positive social agenda. This year’s
Energy For All theme meant the pair
had to promote the benefits of energy
for a range of purposes from human
rights to education in a poster.
The judging panel was as impressive as
it was nerve-racking for the design duo,
containing a who’s who of the
international graphic design community.
Heading the panel was David Carson
who has been described as ‘the most
famous graphic designer on the planet’
by design magazine, Creative Review.
Newsweek says Carson ‘changed the
public face of graphic design’.
Madalina then went on to create a
competition-winning poster for the
Stop Loan Sharks Project.
Her poster was chosen after it was
placed on display in the Central Library
in St Helens, along with more than 30
others, and put up for a public vote on
the campaign’s Facebook page.
STUDENT NEWS
9
Textiles graduates shine
Bolton's Textiles and Surface
Design graduates are making
giant strides in their career
futures.
Rebecca Taylor (pictured) is working
with Graham and Brown wallpapers,
creating the designs of the future. Susan
Syddall's distinctive work has featured in
major exhibitions – she exhibited with
the Knit and Stitch Awards in Harrogate,
London and Dublin and in the Mall
Galleries, having been selected to show
with the Society of Designer Craftsmen.
Sam Wood is working with Hallmark
cards as a junior designer and Laura
Potter has landed a job with Artwork
Design in Stockport but has designed
for Keka Cases of San Fransisco.
Meanwhile Abigayle Coghlan is working
in India with Mumbai company GM
Fabrics and Deva Booth worked on a
placement with the British Museum as
a result of exhibiting at the New
Designers Exhibition in London.
Said Programme Leader Donna
Claypool: 'Our students' early success
is a reflection of their all-round skills as
well as their creativity and individualistic
style. They are doing really well so early
in their careers and we expect great
things of our 2014 graduates too. We
are looking forward to showcasing our
current students’ work at their creative
degree show at the University from the
evening of May 22 and also the New
Designers Exhibition at the Business
Design Centre, Islington, London from
25-28 June.
New dissecting table 'wows' students
It may look like a giant
smartphone but the latest
teaching technology to land
at the University of Bolton is
cleverer than that – and much
rarer.
It is a £50,000 virtual dissection table –
one of only two in the country – and
now available to support the
continuing professional development of
NHS staff studying with Senior
Lecturer, Chris Mulryan, at the Clinical
Simulation Suite in Bolton One.
Loaded with thousands of case studies
built up by Stamford University in the
US, the electronic dissecting table
enables students to study real-life
medical conditions without having to
deal with actual body parts.
Students can view the muscles,
skeleton and nervous system from a
number of angles, studying their
relationships in a way not otherwise
possible. They can see dissected organs,
the pathology of diseases and so better
absorb detailed views of real-life
medical conditions.
Said Senior Lecturer, Chris Mulryan:
‘Health professionals studying with me
on postgraduate and undergraduate
courses will be using the table when
they study anatomy and associated
clinical topics. So far the reaction from
my students has been one of “wow”.
Many have even come in early and
stayed late to study using the table.’
The other virtual dissection table in the
country is at Imperial College London.
Civils wins full accreditation
The University’s Civil
Engineering department is
celebrating after its Bachelors
of Engineering (BEng) degree
programme was fully
accredited by the Joint Board
of Moderators (JBM).
JBM is a combination of moderators
from the four main engineering
industry bodies. These are Institution of
Civil Engineers (ICE), The Institution of
Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institute
of Highway Engineers (IHE) and The
Chartered Institute of Highways and
Transportation (CIHT).
JBM accreditation gives the course a
status which allows progression
towards Chartered Engineer, the
highest level of academic recognition
for a BEng civil engineering course. For
the students and future graduates of
the BEng, the award means they can
claim to be some of the highest calibre
civil engineering graduates.
10
STUDENT NEWS
Claire lands dream job
University of Bolton graduate,
Claire-May Minett, is enjoying
her dream job as a Children’s
BBC (CBBC) runner after
taking an unusual step to
make the BBC know she was
ready to work.
Claire-May decided that instead of
waiting for a job to come to her she
would be proactive and went to the
BBC offices at Salford with a placard
saying ‘CBBC please give me my dream
job’.
Claire-May said: ‘I'd seen on the TV that
others had positioned themselves in
front of the place they wanted to be
and it worked for them.’
The move paid off. She was first
offered a day of work shadowing that
became a three month job as a
production runner.
This is only the latest in a string of
successes since Claire-May’s graduation
in 2011. Since leaving University she
has been working as a freelance film
maker specialising in documentaries for
local charities.
Claire-May has Mosaic Down
Syndrome and has become a
prominent activist, helping raise
awareness of the condition around the
world. In the past few years Claire-May
has been to America twice to give
talks on her life and condition.
She said: ‘In July last year I visited San
Antonio, Texas, where I spoke at a
conference. It was one of the best
experiences of my life. I met people
who have the same condition as me
and we all give each other hope that
their children who have the same
condition can still lead full lives just like
anyone else.’
World's biggest show for Leon
Special Effects Development graduate, Leon
Harris, is sitting pretty after working on the
latest series of hit TV programme Game of
Thrones.
Game of Thrones is an epic fantasy-drama based on the
books by George RR Martin. It is made by American TV giant
HBO and in just three years has become one of their biggest
shows of all-time. Leon explained how he landed a job on
what is currently the world’s most popular show.
‘It’s a bit surreal because the job came out of nowhere. I had
finished some work and the boss from that job gave me a
phone number for the Game of Thrones guys. I spoke to
them and was told “Okay you start Monday”,’ he said.
Leon’s other credits include Captain America, Dark Shadows,
Doctor Who, Fast and Furious 6, Da Vinci’s Demons and,
perhaps biggest of all, Coronation Street.
Leon added: ‘The course definitely helped as if I hadn’t done
it I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. It taught me lots
of different skills as well as practical work requirements, like
working to deadlines.’
Cybernetics prize
Bolton PhD student,
Chathurika Kannangara, has
won the prestigious Heinz von
Foerster Award at the recent
American Society for
Cybernetics (ASC)
conference held at the
University.
A panel of experts awards the prize to
the young academic it decides has
made the most significant contribution
to any or all aspects of the conference.
Chathurika earned the honour after
extensively contributing to group
discussions on the conference’s theme:
the link between understanding and
acting.
Said Chathurika, who is originally from
Sri Lanka: ‘I raised the point that where
I come from we do have understanding
but acting upon it is completely
disconnected. I tried to offer ideas on
what can be done to connect this
disconnection.’
STUDENT NEWS
11
Anna and Leanne taste success
When University of Bolton
Senior Lecturer, Anna
Mitchell, answered the phone
one Sunday afternoon to hear
her friend’s restaurant
interior design dilemma, she
didn’t hesitate to lend a hand.
Sydney, Anna (pictured right) thought
this could be a great opportunity for
her. Leanne had been working in
interior design, transforming high-end
properties for wealthy Australians.
More than happy to be working with
Anna, the two set to work.
Restaurateur Matt Quinn had just four
weeks left before the opening of his
Poynton Thai restaurant Tom Yam and
one big problem – he didn’t like the
designs for the look of the interior.
Said Anna: ‘I could see why Matt was
concerned. He said “can you come and
have a look? I’m just not happy with
the concept or how it is starting to
look”. Matt was right, the concept
wasn’t right – he needed a more highend look for his Thai restaurant and so
I offered to take on the project. Some
elements could be stopped but with
four weeks to go some, such as the
furniture, were already ordered and so
we had to work with that. Then there
Professional practice is a key part of
keeping skills up to the minute for
Anna and projects help develop
industry contacts for lecturing.
As University of Bolton graduate,
Leanne Wylie, had just returned from
was the added pressure that every
material we chose would have to be
readily available or made very quickly.’
Added Leanne: ‘We even made some
features ourselves. At one point we
were gold leafing picture frames in
Anna’s studio at close to midnight.
‘To be honest, the building contractors
were doubtful we could pull it off in
the time, but each and every one of
them came up and congratulated us
when it was finished, saying it was the
best project they had worked on.’
Restaurateur Matt couldn’t be more
delighted. ‘What Anna came up with
and delivered in four weeks is
absolutely amazing. I can’t thank her
enough.’
Welcome home, Laura
Former X Factor contestant, Laura White, wowed
students, staff and fans at her homecoming gig in
the University’s Social Learning Zone.
The singer, who is originally from Atherton, studied Creative
Writing at the University in 2008. Laura then took part in the
X Factor making it to the live rounds under the coaching of
Cheryl Cole.
Since then Laura has relocated to London where she is
writing music for herself and some of the biggest artists in
the world, including Rihanna.
On her new EP, What My Mother Taught Me, Laura has
written a song called Jimi Hendrix. The track has won the
attention of the legendary guitarist’s family who now want to
collaborate with Laura in New York.
12
UNIVERSITY NEWS
CAPE – unique Students work
partnership and trackside with
RLR Msport
a UK first
The University of Bolton has teamed up with
RLR Msport to create a specialist, high
performance automotive engineering centre
on its campus (pictured below).
The new Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering
(CAPE) and the partnership with RLR Msport are unique.
The University is the only one in the UK to have an in-house
and fully-functioning racing team on campus. CAPE has
launched with two undergraduate courses:
• Automotive Performance Engineering (Motorsport)
BEng (Hons)
• Motorsport Technology BSc (Hons).
On both degrees students get real-life race team experience
and first-hand use of state-of-the-art racing technology.
RLR Msport have a wealth of experience in automotive
racing and performance engineering, designing and building
race-ready cars for teams competing in events from the
historic 24 Hour Le Mans race and British Touring Cars
Championships to Grand Prix Masters.
They are now sharing that knowledge, expertise and
experience with the next generation of racing engineers at
the University of Bolton.
Students from the Centre for Advanced
Performance Engineering (CAPE) have had
their first taste of pit side action at Donington
Park Race Track (pictured below).
Studying for degrees in Motorsport Technology and
Automotive Performance Engineering means getting out of
the classroom and getting hands-on experience of what it
really means to keep a racing car in peak condition on the
track.
Students were at Donington to support RLR Msport, who
work with the University to deliver CAPE courses, as well as
racing driver and TV actor, Kelvin Fletcher, who was driving a
Ligier sports car for the first time.
The students were divided into three groups for the
Donington day – one group timed laps and put times on the
pit boards, another group measured tyre temperatures and
pressures, a third gathered overall performance information in
the RLR Msport trailer.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
13
At Autosport
International
The University of Bolton’s Centre for Advanced
Performance Engineering (CAPE) roared into
2014, showcasing its fast-lane future at the
Autosport International Show.
TV star and Porsche race-winning driver, Kelvin Fletcher,
visited the CAPE stand and set the pace for a racing
experience competition. Pitting their skills against Kelvin,
(pictured middle) competitors could win great prizes which
include tuition fee discounts and an amazing day trackside
with RLR Msport.
And Olympian Jason Kenny OBE (pictured below), who when
not collecting speed-cycling medals races in the Ginetta 5
series, also visited the University stand and joined the race
simulator contestants to set his own time.
From 9-12 January 2014 the University and RLR Msport,
were at the NEC Birmingham where CAPE students showed
what they are learning as they study on campus and on the
track, on their unique degree courses. The Motorsport
Technology and Automotive Performance Engineering
(Motorsport) students joined the new honours degree
courses in September.
More than 1,350 contact cards were handed in by visitors to
the CAPE stand, eager to find out more about the courses.
Also joining the University at Autosport International were
Keating Supercars whose new creation – The Bolt – was
exhibited to potential owners (pictured below). Dr Tony
Keating, CEO of Keating Supercars and a University of Bolton
graduate, is donating the first production line Bolt to CAPE.
14
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Rob and Tommy reunited with Lola
The University’s Centre for Advanced
Performance Engineering (CAPE) is home to a
famous Le Mans racing car with a great history
of success – an MG Lola EX 265 (AER).
The Lola is operated and prepared by RLR Msport, based in
CAPE. The Lola took a trip out to Autosport International
earlier this year where visitors included Rob Garofall and
Tommy Erdos who both who knew the Lola well – they
drove the car!
The car has a famous history and won its class in the Le
Mans 24 hour endurance race for two successive years in
2005 and 2006. Tommy (pictured right) recognised it right
away because, incredibly, he was one of the drivers who
drove it to both its victories at Le Mans.
‘I couldn’t believe it,’ said Tommy. ‘I hadn’t seen the car since
those great triumphs seven years ago and yet there it was
right in front of me. To say I was shocked is an
understatement. Suddenly all the wonderful memories came
flooding back.’
Rob drove the car in the Le Mans series six-hour endurance
race in 2010 at the Hungaro Ring and later at Silverstone.
He said: ‘This is a fantastic car with a famous history. Driving it
was an incredible experience – it makes the hairs on the back
of your neck stand up just getting into the seat and hearing
the engine fire up.
‘What makes it so amazing is the lightweight body, its
aerodynamic downforce, and the sheer brute speed. This car
does its job without compromise.’
RLR Msport shift gear – into the
European Sports Prototype Series
RLR Msport are moving into The European
Sports Prototype Series, building on their
endurance racing experience.
RLR Msport are based at the University of Bolton’s Centre
for Advanced Performance Engineering (CAPE), making the
University the first in the UK to have an on-campus
professional race team.
The driver line-up for the seven-race series is Alex Craven,
Kelvin Fletcher and Robbie Kerr. Alex Craven, sponsored by
online cycle and triathlon retailer, Velotive, has CN
championship experience, and was recently crowned 2013
F3 Cup Champion. Television star Kelvin Fletcher races parttime; he came third in the Porsche GT3 Cup Championship
last year after only making his racing debut in 2012. Robbie
Kerr is a full-time professional driver, having been British F3
Champion, a race winer for A1GP’s Team GB and having
experience in prototypes in the WEC, ALMS, ELMS and Le
Mans 24hr.
RLR Msport will take three students to each round of the
European Sports Prototype Series, with seven races taking
the team to track events across Spain and France, starting
with a six-hour race in Barcelona, Catalunya.
Said RLR Msport partner, and head of CAPE, Nick Reynolds:
‘We have been building on our endurance race experience
throughout our five-year history. We see this move into
European Sports Prototype Series, as a stepping stone on
that journey and we look forward to an exciting season.’
UNIVERSITY NEWS
15
Motorsport driving engineering
careers on to the right track
Next step; training on a course that offers hands-on
experience and the opportunity to start building a network
of contacts that can be built on throughout a career.
‘I have been greatly impressed by what everyone at the
University of Bolton has been doing and at the general ‘can
do’ atmosphere that seems to pervade the campus.
‘Motorsport works to impossible timescales,’ said John. ‘That
can be a challenge and the hours can be antisocial. You have
to demonstrate to people that you really are committed.
‘But for those who make the effort, for those who show
commitment and have been through the right training, the
opportunities are there.’
Leading motor racing figure, John Grant is
Chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club
(BRDC) which is the owner and operator of the
UK’s most famous racetrack, Silverstone. He
came to the University of Bolton to give young
engineers advice on how to get their careers off
the starting line.
John’s career in the motor industry is wide-ranging. He
worked for Ford of Europe and Ford Motor Company (USA)
before moving to Jaguar Cars as Executive Deputy Chairman.
Today he is Chairman of, arguably, the UK’s most exclusive
drivers’ club, the BRDC. Along the way he has collected a
wealth of knowledge and experience to pass on to young
people.
John outlined the advantages motorsport gives young
engineers starting out on their career paths, from its ‘can-do,
nothing is impossible’ culture to its use of cutting-edge
technology. These are both attributes and career experiences
which, John says, employers find very attractive in potential
employees.
‘I believe passionately in motorsport engineering and it is a
great place to start a career,’ said John. ‘You can then go on to
work in many other areas of engineering, be it automotive,
marine or aerospace, if you want to.’
The UK’s Motorsport Industry Association has 4,500 member
companies which employ 38,000 people, of which 25,000 are
in engineering roles. Annual sales total around £6 billion, of
which 60 per cent is export business.
And while Formula 1 is viewed as the pinnacle of racing and is
certainly elite, John says there is much more to motorsport –
from motorcycles to historic racing, from endurance racing to
Formula 3. Then there is the component manufacturing and
design industry. He said that while some of the world’s most
famous manufacturers, such as Mercedes Formula 1, are based
in the UK, the country has many small but busy racing
manufacturers.
Getting as much experience as possible is the first step, says
John who advised young engineers to go to race meetings, get
into the pits, talk to the mechanics and drivers and see if they
can get in at the start by helping to clean the cars and tyres.
John was talking at the University’s first Autosport Careers
Day where potential students and their families had the
opportunity to network with John as well as TV star and
racing driver, Kelvin Fletcher, the owner of a Le Mans racing
team and head of CAPE, Nick Reynolds and the creator of
the Keating Supercar, The Bolt, Dr Tony Keating.
Visitors were given a full tour of the Centre for Advanced
Performance Engineering (CAPE) where they saw the latest
equipment and were shown around the CAPE cars, which
included a McLaren M8 C/D, a Chevrolet Corvette C5R as
well as 12 Le Mans race cars. Pictured below with one of the
cars is (from left) TV veteran broadcaster, Gordon Burns, who
compered the event; University of Bolton Director of
Marketing, Aris F. Mattheou and Nick Reynolds. Front row are
John Grant and Kelvin Fletcher.
16
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Bolton artist paints the Wild West
University of Bolton Artist-in-Residence and
acclaimed British landscape painter, James
Naughton, has taken the journey of a lifetime
to America’s Wild West to find inspiration for
his latest exhibition.
James has been following in the footsteps of the celebrated
American 19th Century painter, Thomas Moran, who was
famed for painting some of western America’s most
renowned landscapes. James, who also completed a
foundation course in Art at the University, spent a year
visiting the sites of Moran’s most iconic paintings including
Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton range in the
state of Wyoming.
His trip was supported by Bolton Museum and Library
Services and Arts Council England. The work it inspired is
now on exhibition at Bolton Museum.
of his own work, in partnership with the University of Bolton.
He will be printmaking at the Bolton for one day a week
during the working phase of his project.
He hopes that seeing his work being produced and its
inclusion in the exhibition will inspire Bolton’s art students in
a similar way Moran inspired him. He said: ‘My intention is to
create a strong sense of our shared tradition, with an
emphasis on how different artists relate their experiences
into pieces of art, thus communicating a unique vision. I hope
the exhibition will inspire young painters in the same way that
Moran has inspired me throughout my life.’
James’ exhibition is now open. For more information visit
Bolton Museum and for more information on his trip to
America visit www.naughtonandmoran.com.
James said: ‘Thomas Moran’s paintings have been a constant
inspiration to me throughout my life, and it has been a long
held ambition of mine to make the same journey and to
experience the same landscapes as Moran.’
Thomas Moran was born in Bolton in 1837 before moving to
America where he began his artistic career. A collection of
Moran’s paintings can be seen in the public gallery in the
Bolton Museum and will hang alongside James’ pictures at his
exhibition.
James added: ‘I am delighted and humbled that the gallery has
agreed to exhibit the resulting body of work alongside the
works of Moran in a large scale exhibition.’
In addition to the exhibition, James will be retracing the roots
University opens its first shop
The University of Bolton is
setting up shop – literally – in
the town’s Market Place
Shopping Centre.
Since mid-March, shoppers have been
able to check out everything the
University has to offer as it showcases
courses and highlights student talent in
a retail unit on the shopping centre’s
the first floor.
The University of Bolton shop is open
seven days a week, usual Market Place
Shopping Centre hours. Shoppers can
get a real flavour of studying at
university – with scheduled taster
events – as well as sessions on the
practicalities of study, such as student
finance and careers.
The University of Bolton showcased its
Art, Design and Language courses
during the first week of its shopping
centre residency. Other subject areas
from across University followed.
Said Academic Area Group Leader for
Art, Design and Language, Sam
Johnson: ‘We’re thrilled with the idea of
having a shop. Bringing a flavour of
University life to Bolton people while
they shop is one more way of making
us accessible to everyone.
‘As a university we pride ourselves on
our friendliness but we understand
coming to an Open Day could be
daunting. Everyone’s familiar with
shopping though, so we hope everyone
will feel comfortable with coming in
and saying hello.’
UNIVERSITY NEWS
17
Aliens, animatronics and career
opportunities for SFX student
University of Bolton Special Effects (SFX)
student, Julian Griffiths, will be spending his
Easter break working with aliens and
animatronics at the BAFTA-winning SFX
studio of Neill Gorton.
Neill is one of the SFX industry’s leading make-up and
prosthetics experts. He is the co-founder and director of
Millennium FX and has worked on everything from the
Oscar-winning film, Gravity, to the feature-length 50th
anniversary episode of Dr Who.
Neill was recently at the University delivering his first session
to students as a Visiting Professor (see page 7).
After he had finished his teaching and practical
demonstration, where he turned a student into an alien, Neill
checked the students’ own work and came across an
animatronic alien head which was Julian’s second year project.
Special Effects programme leader, Simon Wiggins, introduced
the pair and now Neill has invited Julian to work on his final
year degree project at Millennium FX. Julian will spend three
weeks working in Millennium FX’s specialist animatronics
studio.
Julian said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity, and one I cannot
afford to turn down. Neill is one of the biggest names in this
part of the industry and to have the chance to work with
him and at his studios is brilliant.’
GTA graduate returns
to lecture at Bolton
Games Design graduate, Shauni Maple, has
returned to the University of Bolton as a
lecturer after working on one of the biggest
selling video games of all time, Grand Theft
Auto V (GTA V).
After graduating in 2012, Shauni’s first industry job was
working with one of gaming’s leading developers, Rockstar
Games, on the biggest title of 2013, GTA V. Based at Rockstar
North in Edinburgh, Shauni worked as a Quality Assessment
(QA) Games Tester. The role is an integral part of the
development process, with QA testers analysing different
aspects of a game’s playability, finding bugs and feeding results
back to the developer.
Shauni said: ‘It was a great experience working on Grand
Theft Auto V. To be part of something as big as that and
knowing your contribution was a key part is great.’
By the end 2013, GTA V had sold nearly 33 million copies
worldwide, with sales still going strong this year. Shauni
added: ‘To have my name in the credits is a really good
feeling. When the game first came out it was amazing that I
could tell people to look for my name in the credits.’
She is now back at Bolton, teaching the next generation of
gaming graduates, lecturing on the metrics and mechanics of
gaming.
Shauni was the University’s first female graduate on the
Games Design course, but wants to allay any fears any female
gamers may have about joining the industry.
She said: ‘I was quite surprised when I went into the industry.
I had that male-dominated stereotype in my head, but when I
got to work I thought “wow, there are more women than I
thought there would be” which is great to see, and made me
feel at ease.’
During her time on the course, Shauni took on a lot of
volunteer work and internships alongside her studies to
boost her CV. This experience led to contracted work with IPlay, a company specialising in online recreational gaming.
It is something Shauni thinks gave her the edge when applying
to work at Rockstar. She now gives the same advice to her
students: ‘Volunteering yourself to companies is so useful to
have on your CV. It shows you’re hard working and are
willing to commit to something. It looks really good to
employers and shows a lot of tenacity.’
18
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
From Bolton to Botswana
The University of Bolton has
expanded its education
partnerships in Africa to
include a new relationship
with the Institution of
Development Management
(IDM) in Botswana.
The validated postgraduate and
undergraduate courses will be in
Business and Early Years Childhood
Education with teaching beginning in
June. IDM is one of Botswana’s leading
providers of business and management
education. It also has institutions in
Lesotho and Swaziland.
primary school. The Ministry of
Education wants to increase that to 40
per cent over the next two years.
Dr Becky Ward is the University’s
Academic Partnership Manager for
Africa. She said: ‘Working alongside the
University of Bolton will allow IDM to
enhance its higher education courses
and now add early years education to its
profile. It also provides the University
with an excellent partner in one of
Africa’s most successful countries.’
Botswana is one of Africa's most stable
countries and is the continent's longest
continuous multi-party democracy. The
University already enjoys successful
working relationships with education
institutions in countries across the
continent including Malawi, Mauritius,
Nigeria and Zambia.
IDM, a specialist education institution
established in 1974, aims to boost the
region’s provision in business-led
courses which include training,
consultancy and research.
New Ministry of Education policy
means all primary schools must also
offer a pre-school provision which
means more qualified teachers are
needed to teach early years education.
IDM aims to fill that skills gap with the
University of Bolton’s established early
years programmes. At present around
18 per cent of children in Botswana
are enrolled in education before
Dentists on campus
The University of Bolton is joining forces with
dentists Mark Ray and Irfan Ravat to bring new
services and new academic courses to the
town centre campus.
Working together on these dental developments, believed to
be the first of their kind in the country, the University and
Ravat & Ray Dental Care celebrated when the new practice
was officially opened on campus by the Chief Dental Officer,
Dr Barry Cockcroft CBE.
The state-of-the-art practice, based in the health, leisure and
research centre, Bolton One, offers full dental services.
Later this year the University is preparing to launch a range
of dental courses with employer input and support from
Ravat & Ray Dental Care.
The new courses, set to start in September this year, will be
BSc (Hons) Advanced Dental Nursing, BSc (Hons) in Dental
Hygiene/Therapy and a Diploma of Higher Education for
Clinical Dental Technicians.
Said University of Bolton Vice Chancellor, Professor George
Holmes: ‘Ravat & Ray bring much to our University, in terms
of their knowledge, professionalism and insight, into helping
us develop courses which are absolutely right for the needs
of employers in this sector.
‘Our University is growing its specialisms through working
together with the experts – the professionals – and we are
learning much from each other.’
Pictured at the practice opening are, from left: Irfan Ravat;
Prof Holmes; the Mayoress, Dee Shaw; Dr Cockcroft and
Mark Ray with the Mayor, Cllr Colin Shaw, in the chair.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
19
Marriott Trust: supporting our
University
Bolton Le Moors Rotary
Club’s Marriott Trust has
generously supported the
University of Bolton through
a wide range of projects since
the trust was founded in 2008.
The £100,000 development fund
legacy, from the John and Josie Marriott
Fund, has been used to provide
student scholarships and support
research that can benefit Bolton.
Over the past six years students and
graduates alike have benefited from the
legacy.
Amongst them have been Anna White
and Richard Gaskill, both postgraduate
students who have brought a 21st
century perspective to the Humphrey
Spender archive collection at Bolton
Museum.
Anna White captured the history of
tomorrow, recreating the famous
Worktown project of which Humphrey
Spender was a leading light. Richard
focused on Bolton Wanderers fans, his
work culminating in an exhibition
which closed in January.
James Corner had the opportunity to
live, work and study in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) when he received the
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Marriott
Scholarship. James worked on building
lasting relationships between the
University and UAE trade and industry,
enabling students to gain work
placements and graduate employment
and stronger student-employer project
links. James also engaged with the local
rotary club in UAE as part of his
scholarship remit.
And the Trust supported the awardwinning research work of PhD student,
Mohammad Sanami, whose work
focused on revolutionising conventional
hip-replacement practices. Present hip
prosthetics are made out of metal
alloys that can loosen, leading to
stiffness and pain for the patient.
Mohammad’s research found auxetic
materials, which defy conventional logic
and get fatter when they are stretched,
offer better weight distribution and
stability, meaning less pain for patients.
Mohammad won best presentation
and poster at the Materials Knowledge
Transfer Network Annual Event in the
category of Best Use of Materials in
Science and Engineering in 2012.
Said Provost of External Relations, Dr
Zubair Hanslot: ‘The Marriott Trust has
been a great asset to the University
and its students and we are immensely
grateful for all the support we have
received over the years.’
John Marriott (1935-1997), married to
Josie, joined the newly formed Rotary
Club of Bolton Le Moors in 1978 as a
founder member. Early in his career a
Rotary Award enabled him to study in
the USA and this opportunity had
lasting impact on him. During his career
he was the youngest Finance Director
of the Borough of Bolton and went on
to be appointed County Treasurer of
Greater Manchester Council until its
abolition in 1986.
Pictured at the launch of the Marriott
Trust in 2008, from left, Vice
Chancellor, Professor George Holmes,
its then club President, Keith Clarkson,
and Chair of its Trustees, Mervyn
Porter.
CIF expands industry reach
The University of Bolton’s Centre for Islamic
Finance (CIF) has signed an important
agreement that will enhance its recognition
and reputation in the world of Islamic finance.
The Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial
Institutions (CIBAFI). CIBAFI is an umbrella organisation that
provides education and training across the Islamic finance
sector.
CIBAFI aims to ‘develop the Islamic financial industry through
training and human resources development, information,
financial analysis, consultancy and awareness.‘
The agreement was made at the recent Sharia Auditing
Conference in Manama, Bahrain. It will see CIBAFI promote
CIF’s postgraduate courses and services throughout its
extensive network of contacts in the Islamic financial sector. In
return, CIF will provide credit recognition, where appropriate,
for many of the education and training programmes run by
the Council.
CIF Chairman, Professor Mohammed Abdel Haq, said: ‘CIBAFI
is not just a partner. It is an Islamic finance institution that will
provide our Centre with unparalleled access and networking
opportunities.’
20
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Double doctorate for
President Elias Foutsis
President of the New York College Group, Elias
Foutsis, was awarded the distinction of a double
doctorate in the presentation of honorary
awards at the University of Bolton degree
congregation ceremony.
He was awarded a Doctorate of Business Administration and
a Doctorate of Education by the Vice Chancellor of the
University of Bolton, Professor George Holmes.
The Vice Chancellor described Elias Foutsis (pictured right) as
a man of many parts; a businessman and a pioneering
entrepreneur in education as well as a philanthropist and
family man.
Said Prof Holmes: ‘In 25 years Elias has had the foresight and
the passion, the energy for the hard work you need to
succeed in the tough world of global education.’
Elias Foutsis is President of the University of New York in
Prague and New York College Educational Group. New York
College is a group of educational institutions in Athens,
Thessaloniki, Prague, Tirana and Belgrade offering high-quality,
multicultural education through academic collaborations with
acclaimed American and European universities, which include
the University of Bolton.
Elias started his business career in post-secondary education
in 1989 giving young people in Greece the opportunity for an
international educational experience. His institutions now host
students and faculty from as many as 70 nations. He sits on
the International Scientific Committee for the International
Congress on Materials and Renewable Energy.
In helping the University of Bolton to drive forward its
international agenda, Prof Holmes described Elias as an
‘outstanding partner’ and said they were two men with a
shared vision for the future of high quality, accessible,
multicultural higher education.
Elias Foutsis told the degree congregation that his vision was
to provide higher education that embraced the opportunities
of globalisation, to develop new attitudes and values that
unite and connect cultures, promote global understanding
and develop new universal values that promote compassion
for all communities.
Also receiving honorary awards in 2013 were Bolton
Council’s Director of Development and Regeneration, Keith
Davies; Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, the Rev
Canon Paul Denby MBE KStJ JP DL; Olympic cyclist, Jason
Kenny OBE; University of Bolton Governor, Neil Myerson;
Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Central
Lancashire, Prof David Phoenix; Secretary for the Bolton Le
Moors Rotary Club’s Marriott Trust, David Tomlinson; Bolton
Cllr John Walsh OBE.
King’s College stroke expert
One of Europe’s leading stroke experts,
Professor Tony Rudd, has lectured at the
University of Bolton recently.
Prof Tony Rudd delivered his lecture, Getting Stroke on the
Agenda, at the Deane Lecture Theatre. The University
annually holds a special lecture on age-related and researchrelated topics. The series is now in its tenth year.
Tony Rudd is a professor of stroke medicine based at King’s
College London School of Medicine. He is a consultant
physician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital and is currently
the Stroke Programme Director of the Royal College of
Physicians, London and also nationally he is the Director of
Stroke NHS England.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
21
Students’ recycling honours
Students have won £100 worth of vouchers after
inventing an active game that urges students in
Greater Manchester to recycle.
Sport Development and Coaching students Anthony Rollinson and
Dean Chester won the competition with their game, Beat the Bin
Men. Anthony said: ‘Taking part in this project was a welcome break
to the regular work we do. It let us take sport which is our passion
and use it to create something that everybody can enjoy.’
The competition was part of the European Union funded
LIFE + Up and Forward Project being run by Greater
Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA). The
project has been funded to help improve recycling levels
in target areas that can recycle more. One of these
communities in particular is the student community.
Bolton MBA students receive dual award
Thanks to Bolton Business
School’s relationship with the
Chartered Management
Institute (CMI), four Bolton
students have achieved their
level seven awards in
Strategic Management and
Leadership.
Student, John Cooper, said: ‘Achieving
the CMI level seven qualification in
Strategic Management and Leadership
has been a real plus point for me. The
dual award that is offered through the
University of Bolton is what makes the
MBA a real winner. My gratitude goes
to the University's MBA programme
team for helping me achieve such a
prestigious award.’
Under the dual award, the University of
Bolton’s MBA is cross mapped at the
DMS stage and fulfils the requirements
for the CMI diploma.
Said University of Bolton Executive
MBA manager, Senior Lecturer, Dr
Peter Moran: ‘The agreement with the
CMI is indicative of initiatives
undertaken by the University to add
value to the student experience here.
It also contributes to a closer rapport
with local employers.’
The new Bolton Business School was
launched last year with investment in
building services, facilities and an
extended course portfolio.
The CMI is the only chartered
professional body in the UK dedicated
to promoting the highest standards in
management and leadership
excellence. It encompasses a
membership community which is more
than 100,000 strong. Pictured are, from
left: Dr Moran, James Newell (Project
Manager at Safran Aircelle); Caroline
Wyke (Project Manager at Bolton
Community Christian Cohesion and
Passion for Bolton); Matthew Sorrigan
(Business Development Manager at
Seddons Construction); John Cooper
(Senior Operational Business Excellence
Coach at Robert McBride Ltd).
22
RESEARCH NEWS
Pilot study for dementia early diagnosis
Psychology lecturer and Honorary Research
Fellow, Dr Richard Jagger, has secured funding
from the Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel
Trust for his research which uses
electroencephalogram (EEG) testing as an
early diagnosis tool for the degenerative brain
condition, Alzheimer’s.
Called the UoB Neurocognitive Test Battery for Older
Adults, the study is a six-month pilot scheme that uses EEG
to track the brain activity of participants. The test will see if
there is a difference in brain activity between those with the
early stages of Alzheimer’s and those ageing normally. Dr
Jagger will work with other University of Bolton colleagues
on this project including Professor Jerome Carson, Professor
Arup Banerjee and Professor Romesh Gupta.
EEG is the method of recording the tiny electrical signals the
brain's cells produce when they send messages to each
other. This brain activity can be measured by using a simple
EEG test. This involves small electrodes being placed on to
the scalp with the signals then shown on a machine called an
electroencephalograph.
There are currently 800,000 people with dementia in the
UK, a number that is set to rise to more than one million by
2021. One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
The key to this pilot is that, according to Dr Jagger,
symptomatic changes in electric brain signals occur 10 to 15
years before the tell-tale signs of memory loss and other
significant dementia symptoms.
In today’s diagnostic process the conventional method for
dementia testing is using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan of the brain. Dr
Jagger believes the development and emergence of MRI and
other scanning has led to EEG technology being overlooked.
He said: ‘Expensive brain imaging techniques are the default
test for detecting dementia. However, the benefits of EEG
monitoring is that the equipment is cost effective, simple to
use for trained medical practitioners and easily transportable.
And, if this study is successful, the most important and key
benefit will be early detection.’
Step forward in the quest
for climate-resilient crops
Researchers at the University
have made a molecular-level
discovery in plants that could
lead to the development of
crops that are more resilient
to climate change.
Dr Ianis Matsoukas is a molecular
physiologist and biology lecturer. He
and his research team from Bolton and
the University of Warwick have
discovered why, at a molecular level,
plants are unable to flower during the
juvenile phase of plant development.
After germination, many flowering plant
species enter a juvenile phase where
they cannot bloom. This is known as
juvenility. Many plants also control
when they flower to coincide with
particular seasons by responding to the
length of the day, a process known as
photoperiodism. This means some
plants need long days and flower in
summer, while others need shorter
days and are able to flower in spring
or autumn.
Dr Matsoukas and his team have
discovered that during juvenility the
appearance of a protein in the plants,
known as Flowering Locus T, is
repressed. This protein is a vital part of
the flowering process and at the end
of juvenility the repression is lifted. This
could explain why juvenile plants are
unable to flower. The team also found
that sugars are actively involved in this
process.
This discovery could lead to the
development of crops that are
resilient to the diverse weather
conditions attributed to climate
change.
Dr Matsoukas explains: ‘Being able to
understand and ultimately control
juvenility will enable more predictable
flowering, better scheduling and
reduced wastage of crops.
‘In addition, knowing the mechanism
gives us the tools to increase crop yield
by accelerating or delaying time to
flowering. This might also lead to higher
yields of plants grown for biofuels and
pulp production.’
RESEARCH NEWS
23
Groundbreaking smart material
takes pressure off wheelchair users
A revolutionary smart material product
developed at the University of Bolton to
support wheelchair users has been successfully
brought to market and is about to go into its
second phase of research development.
The Airospring cushion has been created after seven years of
research and development by Professor Subhash Anand MBE
of the University’s Institute for Materials Research and
Innovation, retired Golborne Engineer, Bryan McArdle
(pictured top) and Derbyshire company, Baltex Technical
Textiles.
Now, thanks to a Technology Strategy Board grant, the
research and development team has £500,000 research
funding to develop new products using their unique technical
textile, XD Spacer Fabrics made at Baltex.
Airospring is a pressure-relieving, moisture-wicking, breathable
and fully machine washable cushion that has qualities which
help prevent an unpleasant medical condition that can affect
wheelchair users – pressure sores, also known as decubitus
ulcers.
Sores form when people are stuck in one position for too
long, which stretches the skin and cuts off the blood supply.
Pressure sores cost the NHS £1.8-2.6billion a year.
Said Prof Anand: ‘There are a number of cushions on the
market, but key attributes you would want in any material
you sit on for long periods, are to be fully supportive,
through distributing the pressure over a larger area of the
person’s bottom and so reducing the overall pressure at any
point.
‘Foam doesn’t support like our Airospring system does. And
it is fully-machine washable and moisture-wicking, making it
easy-care. Without a breathable cushion next to the body,
which supports the wheelchair user properly, they can suffer
pressure sores which can be an extremely unpleasant
experience and potentially dangerous if they become
infected.’
The cushion is sold by Airospring Medical Ltd, a subsidiary of
Baltex at www.airospring.com
Said Managing Director of Baltex, Charles Wood (pictured
below, right, with Prof Anand): ‘The TSB funding will help us
look at a number of future developments for the Airospring
cushion technology. Mattresses are an obvious product but
we may be also looking at products such as insoles for shoes.
Heel ulcers, for example, can be a huge issue for people with
diabetes which experts think is likely to increase given our
aging population.’
24
GRADUATE NEWS
Alumni reunion reliving the Eighties
It’s been more than a quarter
of a century, but our Eighties
alumni have been reliving old
times on a 21st century
campus.
It was the first reunion to have been
organised by Bolton Alumni and
Friends Association (BAFA) and was for
the graduating classes of 1985, 1986
and 1987.
The 22 graduates had the chance to
sample the new Students’ Union (SU)
bar as well as take a guided tour
around the campus to see how much it
has changed since their graduation.
Nikki, who studied Humanities and
graduated in 1987, has since worked
in international universities and
schools, specialising in early years
education studies. She settled in
Holland in 2002 and now runs her
own childcare and education business.
Ross Tracey graduated in Psychology.
He is now the Chief Tech Officer for
Ceridian, which is the UK's leading
provider of human resources software
and payroll outsourcing. He said:
‘Regardless of what you study at
university, it may not end up applying
directly to your career but if you can
apply all the different skills you have
learnt you can overcome anything.’
Simon Randall’s degree was also in
Psychology, but during his time at
Bolton he was also the SU’s
Entertainment Officer. It is that part of
his university life that now drives his
career as Simon runs a chain of
independent comedy clubs in London.
Former SU President, Jo Rigby, who
studied Humanities, graduating in 1987,
said: ‘Some parts of the University are
still recognisable but others are
completely different. It is a great
development, very impressive. It has
come along so much.’
The Bolton graduates have gone on to
have great success in their careers,
working everywhere from Bolton,
across the UK and around world.
Nikki Idrissi came all the way from
Holland to catch up with her former
classmates. Originally from Norway,
Engineering pioneer’s building namesake
Pioneering research engineer and University of
Bolton PhD graduate, Dr Wayne Thomas, has
had the honour of a new building being named
after him at the Institute of Materials Research
(IMR) at the Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht
(HZG).
HZG, based in Geesthacht, northern Germany, is one of
Europe’s leading specialist research, scientific and
manufacturing centres. It specialises in everything from smart
materials and advanced engineering for automotive and
aviation industries to environmental and medical research.
The new Wayne Thomas facility will specialise in Friction Stir
Welding (FSW) and other advanced material joining
techniques. The new building’s namesake changed the face of
joining technology when he invented FSW in 1991 while
working at The Welding Institute (TWI), one of the world’s
foremost independent research and technology organisations.
FSW is a form of welding that uses a solid state process
which produces welds of high quality in difficult to weld
materials such as aluminium. Dr Thomas’s PhD by publication
research at Bolton and experimental work at TWI was an
investigation and study into the Friction Stir Welding of
ferrous-based material. He has also written over a hundred
papers and patents on the subject.
His PhD supervisor at the University was current Provost of
Research and Academic Development, Professor Elias Siores.
Prof Siores said: ‘Dr Wayne Thomas changed the face of solidphase joining technology by inventing Friction Stir Welding and
it is excellent to see that his contribution to the process has
been recognised in such an iconic way. Having a building
named after you is no mean feat, but having a building named
after you at one of Europe’s leading research and
manufacturing centres is quite an honour.’
COMMUNITY NEWS
25
Bolton in the spotlight
Moses Gate Country Park – A
taste of the great outdoors with three
lakes, nature trails, wildlife and a bird
hide for the twitchers.
Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre
and Statue – One of Bolton’s famous
sons, steeplejack and TV personality
Fred brought the age of steam alive for
a nation.
Bolton Civic Centre – A majestic
town hall complemented by Le Mans
Crescent, which houses the Octagon
Theatre as well as the town’s museum,
library, art gallery and aquarium, was
built from 1932–39.
Few people know better than
the Mayor of Bolton when it
comes to where’s great to
visit.
During his year of office, the Mayor
meets thousands of people and has
hundreds of engagements. This year’s
Mayor, Cllr Colin Shaw, has picked out
his Top Ten visitor attractions which
together reflect Bolton’s unique place
in history, its civic splendour and the
stunning countryside that surrounds
the town.
Smithills Hall – (pictured top) a
Grade 1 listed building, full of history
and drama. Containing fine examples of
architecture through the ages, from
Medieval and Tudor right through to
Victorian times, the hall is set in formal
gardens next to the West Pennine
Moors.
St Peter’s Parish Church – A
Grade 2 listed building built in the
Gothic Revival style which Cllr Shaw
describes as ‘a beautiful building’. The
grave of Bolton-born inventor and
pioneer of the spinning industry,
Samuel Crompton, lies in the
graveyard.
Hall i’ th’ Wood – The stunning hall
was built in the 16th century. After
1697 the Hall was rented out to
tenants. During this period a young
Samuel Crompton came to live there.
In 1779 he invented his Spinning Mule,
which revolutionised the cotton
industry.
Queen’s Park – Named in 1897 in
honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond
Jubilee, Queen’s Park has recently had
a £4 million makeover through the
Heritage Lottery Fund.
Rivington Hall Barn – The Barn is a
historic Grade 2 listed building
believed to date back to the 12th
century and still retains original
features including its huge Saxon
beams.
The Reebok Stadium – (pictured
centre) Completed in 1997, The
Reebok is home to Bolton Wanderers
FC and hosts major international
events – Oasis, Pink, Elton John and
Cold Play have all played the Reebok.
The University of Bolton –
(pictured bottom) home to 13,000
students from all over the world, the
University also has facilities open to
the public.
26
COMMUNITY NEWS
Environmental technologists’
industry project success
The University’s Institute for
Renewable Energy and
Environmental Technologies
(IREET) is developing costeffective solutions with
industries searching for
sustainable alternatives to
what they use today.
Led by Professor Guosheng Shao,
(pictured right) IREET is developing
‘real world’ answers to optimising the
global potential of solar cell power as
well as developing cost-effective
alternatives to the increasingly depleted
natural resources used in products such
as smart phones.
IREET is developing ‘designer’ materials,
using fundamental modelling to speed
up the creation of economical,
sustainable and ecological materials.
These will replace materials used in
current technologies which are based
on resources being depleted.
Projects have been secured with
academic and industry leaders in UK
and Europe, developing low-cost
coatings for innovative functional
materials – materials which have
properties such as harvesting
renewable energy or functioning as
transparent electrodes. This can be
used in sustainable, large-area
applications, such as in photovoltaic
cells, that transfer solar energy into
electricity, or optoelectronic devices
that source, detect and control light.
Recent IREET research projects include
a European €1.4 million venture with
UK and Austrian partners Centre for
Process Innovation, Teers Coatings Ltd
and High Tech Coatings GMbH of the
Miba Group, and the NanoTechCentre
Weitz. Together they aim to create
flexible solar cells that can be made at
low-cost through fabrication around
room temperature. This project began
in March and will run for three years.
IREET has also teamed up with Plasma
Quest Ltd, winning an innovation bid
for £600,000 from the Technology
Strategy Board. Together they aim to
scale up the company’s remote plasma
sputtering technology. This will allow
the large scale creation of coatings,
from a nanometre to sub-micron in
thickness, for the low-carbon
fabrication of enabling oxide
semiconductors. These are typically
used in the manufacture of products
such as solar cells, LED/LCD TVs,
tablets and smart phones.
Market undergoes transformation
The famous Bolton Market has
just undergone a £4.5 million
refurbishment and now boasts
a new ‘lifestyle’ hall.
A new layout has also been introduced
with wooden benches and seating set up
in a central ‘food court’ area. Boasting
more choice for foodies, new stalls sell
everything from healthy smoothies to
African curries and piegatta – an Italian
folded bread made with olive oil and
served with a choice of fillings.
Newcomers to the hall include Great
Ale Year Round, a micropub venture, The
Coffee Grinder, a coffee bean company
and Plantation Flowers, a business selling
unique tropical flowers.
Other improvements include the
construction of a new outdoor market.
The open market will move from its
current location to the opposite side of
the market building on New Street,
closer to the planned Transport
Interchange. New shuttered units will
also be installed in the outdoor market.
OBITUARIES
27
IN MEMORIAM
Prof Calderwood
Internationally celebrated
Engineering and Physics
research scientist and long
serving University of Bolton
academic, Professor James
Calderwood, has died age 88.
During his tenure at Bolton, Prof
Calderwood was Chief Scientist of the
University and its Professor of
Engineering Physics. He was awarded
an Honorary Doctorate of
Engineering in 2008 for his outstanding
contribution to Engineering Physics. He
was most recently honoured with the
title ‘Distinguished Professor Emeritus’
for his dedicated service to the
University.
Prof Calderwood studied at Liverpool
Georgina Williams
Georgina Williams extended
the kindness of her homely
warmth to all she met during
her time as Team Leader in
The University’s Café Athena.
University graduating with BEng, MEng
and PhD degrees. He then embarked
on a long and illustrious academic
career starting in the 1950s when he
was a Fulbright Scholar at the worldrenowned Princeton University. Here
he met one of history’s most
esteemed scientific minds, Albert
Einstein, who was working at the
institution at the same time.
On returning to the UK, Prof
Calderwood held positions at the
University of Strathclyde, Imperial
College London, the University of
Salford – where his posts included Pro
Vice Chancellor – as well as the
National University of Ireland at
Dublin, Cork and Galway, where he
was Dean of the Faculty of
Engineering. His academic work and
research saw Prof Calderwood
University for 10 years in March.
Although based in Café Athena,
students and staff across campus knew
her as Georgina worked in Deane Deli
and the Bistro through the summer.
Georgina, age 46, died after a brief
illness at home in January, surrounded
by her family.
Her friends remember her as ‘always
having the kettle on’ and her home
invariably bustling with visitors. Her
colleagues recall her having the same
open generosity with them.
Bolton born and bred, Georgina
attended Red Lance County Primary
School and St Catherine’s Secondary
School. She would have worked at the
Georgina, sister to Jane and Ted, leaves
three children, Mark, Katie and Paul,
three grandchildren, Ruby, Riley and
Alexia and many friends.
Prof Price
UK Fire Chemistry Group under the
aegis of the Society of Chemical
Industry and was chairman for the first
10 years. The reputation of the group
enabled him to attract the biennial
European Fire Retardant Polymer
Materials conference to Salford and the
UK for the first time in 1995, to
Greenwich in 1999 and to Bolton in
2007.
Academic and fire retardant
materials expert, Professor
Dennis Price, has died age 79.
Prof Price was Bolton’s Professor of
Fire Chemistry and worked at the
University for a decade, starting his
Professorship in 2003. But his
association with Bolton began in 1984
whilst still at the University of Salford.
He and Prof Dick Horrocks, himself an
expert in fire retardant materials at
Bolton, agreed to collaborate within
the flame retardant textile area.
As the reputation of the BoltonSalford collaboration grew, Prof Price
was at the forefront of founding the
published in some of his research area’s
most internationally-recognised and
respected research journals. He was a
permanent Honorary Professor of the
University of Xi'an Jiaotong, China and a
Volta Medalist of the University of Pavia.
He was a Fellow of the Irish Academy of
Engineering since 1997.
In 2003 the pair’s collaboration became
a full-time working partnership when
Prof Price’s operation re-located to
Bolton from Salford to merge with Prof
Horrocks’ fire group at the University.
Prof Price’s academic career spanned
more than 50 years. Prof Horrocks said:
‘He will be remembered across the
world of fire science for many years to
come as his 200 scientific papers and
numerous books bear witness to his life’s
work.’