Morgan Ashurst awards for North students

Jul 11 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A GROUP of the region’s construction students have been awarded for their efforts by a national building company.

Four top-performing students from Northumbria University were recently recognised by Warwickshire company Morgan Ashurst and given hard hats and gift vouchers.

Alex Tilley, Maciej Bolez, Will Davis and Ben Albon were selected as the top first year students of their undergraduate course in Construction Management.

David Smailes, Morgan Ashurst area manager in Durham, said: “We are delighted to help recognise the student’s achievements this year and encourage all the students at the university to achieve their potential.

“We are keen to help the students’ progress through their course and hope they are looking forward to developing their careers in such a dynamic and varied industry.” The School of the Built Environment at Northumbria University, which runs the course, is one of the leading teaching facilities in the construction industry, with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) opening an office there in 2005.

John Weirs, senior lecturer at the school, said: “The BSc (Hons) Construction Management degree concentrates on the site construction process based around the need to build to time and within budget, while retaining high-quality work and taking account of health and safety requirements.

“During the third year, our students undertake a professional placement within the industry and our links with construction companies are invaluable.

“We very much appreciate the valuable input Morgan Ashurst offers with our construction related programmes and the company’s recognition of our students achievements.”

Morgan Ashurst has a number of ongoing construction projects in the North East, including a £2.2m teaching facility at Newcastle Airport, a £13m project to construct the new leisure centre in Freemans Place, Durham, and a £4.5m new school in Horden, County Durham.