University Of Salford

Our Partnership (How/When it started) 

Morson Projects and Morson Group have a long-standing relationship with the University of Salford which is pivotal to our STEM agenda,  in recent years this has been formalised through the introduction of our Morson STEM Foundation.

The Foundation aims to support people from all backgrounds explore, and pursue, pathways into engineering-related careers. 

With the immense demand for STEM skills in the UK, we are investing in education and aspiration, working hard to change lives and ensure a sustainable future for industry and the wider economy.

Our Work Together

Through our long-standing partnership with the University of Salford, the Morson STEM Foundation helps bring together a programme of activity in collaboration with regional skill providers, local employers, and industry stakeholders to raise the profile of STEM nationally.

Some of these activities are highlighted below.

Morson Maker Space

A cornerstone of the Morson STEM Foundation is the new state-of-the-art Morson Maker Space facility which forms part of the University of Salford‘s new £65 million Science, Engineering & Environment Building. The facilities have been designed to provide students with opportunities to explore new ideas and innovate, gaining hands-on experience with the types of equipment they can expect to use when they move from education into the workplace.

The Morson Maker Space includes a wide range of industrial machines and equipment for use by students from across the University of Salford, which will enable businesses to engage with the university and students in new ways, thereby creating opportunities for employment, training and exciting new projects.

“The Morson Maker Space provides students with opportunities to acquire future-fit skills with the equipment they will use in the workplace once they graduate.

“The state-of-the-art facility supports everything from additive manufacturing, metal printing and CNC machining, through to delicate microscopic instrumentation and electronics, folding or laser cutting paper and farm robotics.”

Dr Maria Stukoff, Director of the Morson Maker Space

Gerry Mason Scholarship

Morson Group established the Gerry Mason Engineering Excellence Scholarship in 2015, in memory of Morson founder Gerry Mason, a design engineer himself. The scholarship continues his legacy by enabling budding engineers to study degree-level courses rooted in STEM.

These scholarships focus on nurturing future skills for various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, infrastructure, nuclear, engineering, IT & digital, and more.

From the outset, the goal of the scholarship has been to help young people from across the country reach their full potential, by removing financial and social barriers to attending university.

“This scholarship has made me feel so much more motivated to work hard and excel in my studies at university. To have a donor who believes in me and supports me is something I’m incredibly grateful for.”

BSc (Hons) Computer Science scholar, Alisha Sadiq

Salford Racing Sponsorship

Each year, we support the Salford Racing team, which includes students from a variety of disciplines, who all work together to plan, design, and build the car, using the facilities at the University of Salford’s Maker Space; a state-of-the-art facility funded by the Morson Group. 

Morson Group has also invested £10K to sponsor the car, and provided additional industry training from Morson Projects experienced engineers, supporting the talent and ambition of these young people as they explore opportunities in STEM and collaborate to develop their team-working and knowledge sharing skills.

Being able to work in the Maker Space provides a competitive edge in the jobs market for the students involved in the Salford Racing project. For example, Corin Williams, a former mechanical engineering student at the University of Salford, who also took part in Formula Student, credits the experience with helping him get a job in the motorsport industry after graduation. 

“Not only did I benefit from dedicated support from Morson Projects, but I was able to practice my technical skills using the state-of-the art kit provided at the Morson Maker Space; skills and experience I now use every day.”

Corin Williams, Former Mechanical Engineering Student at the University of Salford

Go Beyond Mentoring Programme

First launched as a pilot mentoring scheme to connect female engineering students with industry experts in March 2021. In 2022 ‘Go Beyond‘ assisted 15 female graduate engineers to gain confidence to get a role in industry. 

From 2023 onwards ‘Go Beyond’ will be powered by the Morson STEM Foundation with ambitions to grow the programme into a more comprehensive industry speakers’ series as part of a wider enrichment programme for all engineering students’ levels.

“Last year we welcomed a phenomenal number of industry mentors who supported the programme and dedicated their time and expertise to encourage and upskill more women into engineering roles. One example of which, was student Chloe Hughes, who was offered a full time position at Morson Projects following her mentoring from Lead Design Engineer, Maria Williamson.

“It’s a real testimony to our partnership with the Morson Group, and our collaborative investment to developing our talent pipeline and creating employment routes for the next generation of women in engineering, to have their support on the programme for another year.”

Dr Maria Stukoff, Director of the Morson Maker Space

IGNITE: STEM Summer School

This programme is an annual event part of the Morson Group STEM Foundation supporting local young talent to join the STEM revolution.

The STEM Summer School workshop is organised by the Morson Maker Space in collaboration with the University of Salford’s Outreach team, the Salford Racing student society and Morson Projects.

Each year, the summer school brings together Year 12 students from across Greater Manchester to explore digital fabrication, engineering skills, and electronic design, as well as careers in the STEM fields.  

“I’m thrilled that IGNITION has been nominated for Inclusion Programme of the Year at the prestigious Engineering Talent Awards 2023. A huge thank you to everyone who made the summer school possible including Morson Projects for their continual support, including Morson Projects engineers Chris Summers and Jon Callahan for providing inspirational industry talks.”

Dr Maria Stukoff, Director of the Morson Maker Space