The University of Salford’s software engineering HackCamp programme returned earlier this year, seeing students work to industry briefs and deliver presentations to professionals from local organisations, including Morson Projects IT Director, Chris Hill and BD Director, Andy Hassall.
Over 150 students took part in the programme where they approached a range of challenges, including dynamic user experience, customer feedback aggregation and placement search, which is then assessed and judged by the industry experts and academics.
HackCamp is designed around giving students an industry level task, and this year saw the teams work towards a brief that required them to create solutions that could help us calculate, analyse, and report our cloud carbon footprint.
The program involves engaging with industry partners, including Morson Projects, Matillion, ABL, Competa, Red Ocelot, BCS Manchester, the Chartered Institute for IT, Chippy Digital and IRIS Software Group in a task set to challenge their abilities and give them a taste of industry work. The value of participating in HackCamp is immeasurable for students, providing them with practical industry experience and opportunities to network with employers to secure future careers.
Morson Projects IT Director, Chris Hill shared:
“HackCamp at Salford University is a highlight event in our calendar. The University, Julian Bass and the team have yet again done a remarkable job in delivering an innovative and collaborative program for the students. The industry driven projects showcase the talent, passion, and potential of the next generation of software engineers. The students have impressed us with their ability to solve real-world problems using cutting-edge technologies. We look forward to returning next year!”
Business Development Director, Andy Hassall added:
“It’s the 2nd year that Morson Projects have supported HackCamp. It is not just a platform for fostering innovation and technological growth; it is a stepping stone towards nurturing our STEM future talent pool. By supporting this program, Morson Projects lay the foundation for a generation of skilled problem solvers and creators who will help shape the future.”
Professor Julian Bass said:
“Our HackCamp partners, play a vital role in helping students understand how software projects work in practice. The projects provide a fantastic opportunity to work with industrial partners and experienced practitioners, applying the agile software development methods they learn about in class.”
One of the HackCamp participants, Sheikh Atif, a Second Year Software Engineering Student said:
“HackCamp is a great opportunity to challenge yourself. Not everything will go to plan when you’re working in the industry, HackCamp will introduce realistic challenges and difficulties for the team to develop their skills collectively as well as individually.”