Author: Stephanie Thomson

Black and white photo of Lewis Heap smiling

Brighton student earns spot on top European Space Agency cyber security training program

School of Architecture Technology and Engineering student, Lewis Heap, is one of an elite few picked from 22 countries to attend the advanced cyber security training programme in Belgium.

The final year Computer Science with Cyber Security BSc(Hons) student was selected by the continental space exploration institution from among hundreds of applicants.

The programme is designed to train the next generation of cyber security professionals on how to identify and deal with threats and risks, specifically within the space sector. They will be provided hands-on experience in securing space communication systems and develop an understanding of overall cybersecurity monitoring and mitigation against threats.

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Architecture student Jamie with a cat on his shoulder

Bursary award for Architecture student Jamie

Congratulations to Architecture BA(Hons) students Jamie Singlton and Armen Etemadrad, two brilliant Brighton students who have been awarded a Sussex Heritage Trust bursary for the Oak Timber Framing: Wall Framing course. Find out more about Jamie studies at Brighton and what the bursary means to him .You can find out more about Armen here.

I grew up in a village in West Sussex so Brighton has always been fairly local to me. From looking at the variety of Architecture courses available from universities, Brighton seemed to be the only real course that has actively demonstrated how it is possible to achieve and practice more. Opportunities of making a real difference with projects such as the waste house and other live project like the current one we are doing in Studio 26 – a cricket Pavilion and community centre in Bexhill – excite me. It provides a level of detail to and specificity to what we do to create real conclusions of what’s around us and how we can use architecture as a means to change communities positively.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, I found the format our course personal, and allowed us to better engage with staff and students. The structure of the design studios acting as an office space creates a pleasurable working environment with each of us having a dedicated space that encourages us to come in and work collaboratively.

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Architecture student Armen smiling and looking off camera

Bursary award for Architecture student Armen

Congratulations to Architecture BA(Hons) students Armen Etemadrad and Jamie Singleton, two brilliant Brighton students who have been awarded a Sussex Heritage Trust bursary for the Oak Timber Framing: Wall Framing course. Find out more about Armen’s studies at Brighton and what the bursary means to him. You can find out more about Jamie here.

I chose Brighton because of it’s architecture school facilities and experienced staff.

I have enjoyed using the workshops to create different types of models with various techniques. I have also enjoyed working with different people in the studio to push events and create fun little experiences throughout our year. Model making and sketching ideas are by far the most enjoyable activities I have done.

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Headshot of Edzwan Redza Anwar

Proud international Brighton Effect family member celebrates diversity at the university

Civil Engineering alum Edzwan Redza Anwar shares his views on the importance of diversity and tells us more about his work in sustainability with the Islamic Development Bank.

Edzwan, an Operations Team Leader (Energy) for the Islamic Development Bank, recalls how his time at Brighton as an international student helped bring out his confidence and meet people from different backgrounds.

He shared with us the importance of being open-minded, respecting and valuing diversity and how his time at Brighton helped hone his skills communicating ideas and collaborating with others.
Being an international student at Brighton

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Ada headshot looking at the camera

Civil engineering graduate Ada tells us how Brighton provided the tools for life as a graduate 

Civil Engineering graduate Ada Nwadigo is managing director of her own company, Jona Infrastructure, and credits her time at Brighton with the tools to set her up for life as a graduate.

Ada tells us more about her time at Brighton and the combination of practical and theoretical aspects of her degree, engaging and working with a diverse range of people, opportunities to improve employability with industry contacts and the support she received from staff at the university.

Why choose the University of Brighton?

“My journey to the University of Brighton was influenced by a family connection and a deep fascination with the course content. My grandfather had studied Mechanical Engineering in the same town of Brighton, and his experiences had a profound impact on me. Moreover, the prospect of studying in the vibrant city of Brighton was highly appealing.

“What truly attracted me to the university and this degree was the course content itself. I found it to be incredibly compelling, especially when compared to what other universities had to offer. The opportunity to delve into technical subjects and work on cutting-edge technology excited me immensely. I believed that this course would equip me with the skills necessary to make a significant and positive impact on the world.”

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Tom King at graduation on Brighton seafront

Civil engineering graduate success

Congratulations to Tom King who graduated with a BEng Civil Engineering (Degree Apprenticeship) in 2022 and has successfully passed his Professional Review End Point Assessment to be registered as an Incorporated Engineering with the ICE.

Find out more about Tom, his time at Brighton and what he is doing now.

Brighton, civil engineering and a degree apprenticeship
I chose the University of Brighton because of the stature of the university and the offer of a part-time degree apprenticeship programme. The apprenticeship route was a good option for me as it allowed me to work whilst studying part-time, which meant that I was gaining workplace experience alongside academic knowledge. It also meant that I could earn whilst I learned, allowing me to progress personally as well as professionally.

The civil engineering course was well structured and involved a variety of modules, ranging from structural analysis to project management. It’s given me a range of knowledge that I can apply to the workplace. I would recommend it; the variety of modules allows students to try their hand at different aspects of civil engineering, which can help guide them in their career, working towards their strengths and desired career path.

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Close up photo of Jesse wearing sunglasses

Life at Brighton for prize winning Sustainable Design MA student

Huge congratulations to Sustainable Design MA student Jesse Mugambi, one of two winners of Jägermeister’s #SaveThe Night global competition, which supports nightlife projects around the world. Jesse’s prize is €50,000 to build a music studio and nightclub from decommissioned shipping containers in his native Kenya.

Find out more about Jesse and his time at Brighton in conversation with us here, and discover more about his prize winning project in this post.

What did you study as a first degree?
Architecture BA (Hons) at University of Brighton (2020)

Tell us about your project
My concept is Studio Can-V, a portable space that serves as a studio for musicians to practice and a venue for people to discover new artists. Constructed from a repurposed shipping container and utilising local vernacular design, we aim to foreground contemporary Kenyan identities to create a versatile space that transitions from a daytime hub for young DJs and to a night time club for adult audiences. Studio Can-V centres inclusivity by foregrounding the voices of young DJs from various communities and backgrounds, who represent the future of an equal society. It will help build relationships across the industry and create new gateways for those yet to break into the sector. By empowering local artisans and promoting youth cultural identities, we seek to reclaim our future through music, dance, and connection. Leveraging the global reach of Kenyan artists, it is not only a physical space but a platform for artists to break into new markets, with the scope of scaling up across Africa.

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black and white photo of Jesse Mugambi

Brighton student wins global competition to promote inclusive nightlife

A University of Brighton student has won €50,000 to build a music studio and nightclub from decommissioned shipping containers in his native Kenya.

Jesse Mugambi, who is studying for a Master’s degree in Sustainable Design at the university’s Moulsecoomb campus, has been confirmed as one of two winners of Jägermeister’s #SaveThe Night competition, which supports nightlife projects around the world.

His ‘Studio Can-V’ project beat over 300 submissions from 50 countries to be named joint-winner of this year’s competition, splitting the €100,000 prize fund with a fellow winner from Northern Ireland.

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Matt Read graduate sitting a table smiling at the camera

Space to explore on our Architectural and Urban Design MA

Matt Reed graduated from our Architectural and Urban Design MA in 2023. He tells us about some of the his highlights at Brighton and how he is turning his major project into an exciting installation in 2024.

Why Architectural and Urban Design MA at Brighton?
I had been thinking about a career change for a while and Brighton had a course that really interested me which seemed like it could be an excellent extension to my previous studies – Fine Art intermediate at Kingston University (1993-96) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Glass & Architecture at Central St. Martins (2008-09) – and maybe offer up new work prospects.

I really enjoyed the course, and I highly recommend it, especially for someone looking to do something a bit more experimental within the field of architecture. At the time I started the course it was still during the pandemic, so a lot of the study was initially online. But things opened up gradually over time.

Support and space to explore
I actually took a year out in the middle of my studies. I did the part time route, which was two years, but I took a year out and ended up spreading it over three years. This worked well for me, as it allowed me to do paid work around the course. But, it also gave me thinking space and time to really absorb the material and to apply it to my own creative practice. The university staff were very flexible about this, which was great. The support provided was excellent and they were always happy to accommodate my needs.

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Puzzle hunt team discussing a clue

A puzzling challenge for architecture technology and engineering students

All students from our school were invited to take part in our first Puzzle Hunt this month. Three teams took on the challenge with the winning team picking up SU vouchers as prizes for solving the puzzles in the fastest time.

All teams did brilliantly. Our super sleuths solved a series of puzzles based on pattern matching and work/number associations which took them on a hunt all-round the Moulsecoomb campus. Each puzzle led the different teams to a different room on campus where they found the next clue.

Dr Almas Baimagambetov, principal lecturer and subject lead for computing and maths, organised the event and devised all the challenges said: “The main challenge comes from the fact that clues to solve puzzles are located in different rooms on campus, so before some puzzles can be solved teams will need to visit certain locations. While the puzzles were the same for all teams, the puzzle sequences and most of the clues are unique to each team, so they can’t simply follow each other.”

The Puzzle Hunt was open to the whole school so no specific subject knowledge was needed for this one. Keep your eyes peeled for other, computing-based events Dr Baimagambetov is organising. See below to find out more.

Puzzle hunt team looking at a board in the library
Puzzle hunt team walking outside
Puzzle hunt team discussed the first challenge
Puzzle hunt team working on the first challenge
Puzzle hunt team walking in to the library
Puzzle hunt team discussing a challenge in the library
Puzzle hunt group shot with prize winners
Puzzle hunt team discussing a clue

Codefest
Codefest is an example of a gamified work-based learning method that focuses on authentic assessment and is supported by industry experts. It is delivered as a software development event aimed at helping students to progress and use the latest technologies in the field, as well as promoting teamwork and peer learning through team-based challenges. The team that solves the most challenges wins the event and wins a prize. This is a great opportunity for students to experience the typical day-to-day activities that happen in the industry on a daily basis, as well as to create a strong network of developers.

Game Jam
Game Jam is a similar event focused on students on game development courses. Students form teams and assign themselves roles that mimic the ones used in industry, such as gameplay programmer, visual artist, audio engineer and others.

At the event, each team is given the same keywords that will form an idea for a game and each team develops their own visions of these games. As part of this process, students learn how to manage their own work, as well as how to manage the overall project, as teamwork is key to completing the development within the allocated time.

Find out more about Computing at Brighton

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