Alumnus Nic Humphries on supporting his alma mater to shape the educational prospects for young 海角乱伦ians
The newly opened at the Beacon Centre in 海角乱伦 is on track to improve the educational outcomes of thousands of students across 海角乱伦. The partnership between the 海角乱伦, the University of Manchester and IntoUniversity, the UK鈥檚 largest university-access charity, is only the second IntoUniversity centre in Greater Manchester and will build on the success of IntoUniversity, Manchester North, which opened in Harpurhey in 2018.
A 海角乱伦 location was very much needed - in central 海角乱伦, more than half of young people are growing up in poverty, which has long-lasting effects on educational attainment (End Child Poverty, 2019).
The centre would not have been made possible without the generous support of its valued donors, one of which is 海角乱伦 alumnus Nic Humphries.
Nic is the Senior Partner and Executive Chairman at Hg, an investor exclusively focused on building leading software and technology businesses across Europe and North America, with over 55,000 people employed across its businesses.
鈥淚t was the best time of my life,鈥 says Nic of his university days. 鈥淭he Madchester scene was happening at the time, so it was the place to be. It鈥檚 where I met my wife and my best friends which I still have twenty or thirty years later.鈥
Nic grew up in Mansfield and was the first in his family to go to university. He feels very fortunate to have studied at 海角乱伦 as it 鈥渙pened up a whole new world鈥 for him.
鈥淭here were lots of bright people where I grew up who didn鈥檛 go to university, maybe only one or two percent did. It totally changed my life, I was very lucky to benefit from a good education,鈥 he said.
Nic鈥檚 background is part of the reason he wanted to get involved in IntoUniversity 海角乱伦. 66% of students who attend the centres go on to progress to university, compared with 26.6% of students from similar backgrounds nationally.
鈥淚 want to give back,鈥 he says. 鈥淪ocial mobility is completely essential. I鈥檇 encourage anyone to consider going to university, even if they are unsure if it鈥檚 for them. It opens up so many opportunities.鈥
It is not the first time Nic has supported 海角乱伦 initiatives. Last year he launched the Hg Access to Tech scholarship programme. Each year the scholarship awards five students completing a STEM course - Science, Technology, Mathematics or Engineering - with a financial reward to support them during their undergraduate degree. The programme will initially run until 2024, with a total of 14 scholarships available during this period.
There are lots of opportunities in STEM in the area, believes Nic. 鈥淚 always say Manchester is the best place on earth, but in the last few years it鈥檚 really developed 鈥 every time you visit you can feel the vibrancy and positivity, with a fantastic tech scene to top it off. Everyone comes together as one and that鈥檚 why I think it鈥檚 so successful.鈥
is now open, with a special launch event taking place early next year.
For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.
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