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Bolton man and BBC Commissioning Editor, Aaqil Ahmed, paid tribute to the inventiveness and professionalism of University of Bolton students as he opened the Creative Degree Show.

He told industry guests at the opening ceremony last night (Thursday 17 June 2010) how he had been impressed with the students working with his teams at the BBC. Hundreds of students are exhibiting until June 23 at the University’s Deane Road campus, across all creative disciplines – from Animation and Illustration to Media, Writing and Production.

  Mr Ahmed, who trained in graphic design and photography, is now Head of Religion and Ethics for the BBC. He told guests the students had achieved ‘no mean feat’ in developing creative ideas for bringing religious programming to Radio 1 and pitching those ideas to Head of Religion Radio, Christine Morgan.

The University of Bolton and the BBC have been working together to open up pathways into employment in the media industry for students and to develop new talent within the region.

The University signed a partnership agreement with the BBC in 2008, ahead of the Corporation’s move to Salford next year.

The partnership between The University of Bolton and the BBC helps to identify new talent, focus on learning and development, build relationships within communities and develop clear pathways into the BBC and the wider industry.

The BBC works with the University of Bolton on projects which now include:

BBC Radio Drama Media Placements for Bolton students

planned writing workshops for students with BBC producers and writers who  come to the University as guest speakers

BBC Writersroom networking events

supporting the BBC’s religion and ethics section with the University helping the BBC reach a broader cross-section of the community.

The BBC and the University of Bolton are also working together to develop student placement opportunities within sound recording and music production.

And together the two institutions are developing an outreach programme for local colleges which aims to highlight the range of media careers to young people who do not traditionally consider the media as a profession, such as those from ethnic minority groups.

University of Bolton students won the BBC Writersroom Future Talent award for new writers 2009 and been placed runner up in the contest this year.

Said Creative Industries Liaison at the University, Jane Stuart: ‘It is great for Bolton to have someone like Aaqil with the BBC, and such a champion of bringing opportunities to the North of England with the BBC’s move from London to Salford.’

The new centre at MediaCityUK in Salford will be home to around 2,400 BBC staff from 2011. Five key London-based departments, including two TV channels and two radio stations, will be making their new homes in Salford: BBC Children’s (including CBBC and CBeebies); BBC Formal Learning; BBC Future Media and Technology; BBC Radio Five Live (including Five Live Sports Extra) and BBC Sport

Bolton Council and The University of Bolton presented two master classes to inform the area’s contemporary music industry.

On Thursday 18th March, Xfm’s Mike Walsh led a workshop that looked at the changes in consumer behaviour and how as the music industry evolves new challenges and opportunities are emerging for artists. With over 16 years of industry experience, Mike has championed new music and has worked with leading artists such as Coldplay and Radiohead. It was a fantastic opportunity for new and emerging performers to be given the opportunity of pitching their work to Mike and getting on the spot feedback.

The second session held on the 24th March was led by Kate Butler, a former BBC publicist turned freelance art and music PR consultant. Kate gave an inspiring presentation on how to raise a profile online, in print and on air. From engaging with fans to winning media attention, participants discovered some handy tips and tools to help them on their way to making the most of their creative talent.

Music Industry Workshops

An initiative to support emerging literary talent has been launched by the University of Bolton in collaboration with the Chinese Arts Centre.

The Writers’ Pathway started in February 2010 and was aimed at new writers of Chinese descent. The programme will run over a 14-week period to develop the writers’ craft through professional supervision and distance learning with the help of a professional mentor.

The programme opened with a five-day residential workshop at the Arvon Foundation Lumb Bank Centre in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire and the 11 writers got to work with experts in their literary field. Tutors included Jo Ho, a screen writer that recently wrote the BBC series “SPIRIT WARRIORS” and was recently selected as one of the ‘Top Ten Outstanding Young Chinese Persons in the UK’ and received a Big Ben Award for her ‘outstanding achievement by a Chinese Women in the UK & Television Industry. Joining Jo was Tina Freeth, a prose writer that has writer short stories including The Crew: Day of the Dog, The Crew: Hot or Not and ‘Growing Up On Lard’ in The Map of Me.

Participants also got to work with Katherine Beacon of BBC Writers’ Room.

Rebecca Albrow, Creative Industries Project Manager, said: ‘For someone still in the early stages of their literary career, this programme could be the catalyst that enables their talent to flourish and grow. We’re delighted to be working with the Chinese Arts Centre on this project and looking forward to nurturing the careers of new national literary talents.’

11 writers that were successful in achieving a place on Writers’ Pathway.

The University of Bolton has offered 16 writers the opportunity to hone their skills with the region’s top professional talent, talent that includes the BBC and Shameless creator Paul Abbott’s new company, AbbottVision.

Writers’ Lab @ Bolton 2010 is for writers who want to develop their skills working in an industry context. They will create an original script, as well as learn about team writing and producing. The pilot scheme will put writers into direct contact with some of the best TV, radio and web producers in the region.

Said Project Manager Jane Stuart: ‘In order to develop the scheme effectively, we have offered free places to 16 new writers from the North West. In return for helping us develop this training programme we are offering writers the opportunity to develop their skills in a commercial context. This scheme is designed to give writers the best start possible and is an opportunity they can’t afford to miss.’

The final 16 writers taking part in the scheme will attend workshops at AbbottVision, The Arvon Foundation and at the University of Bolton. Throughout the programme they will work on a team-written project with industry mentors and have direct and sustained contact with industry professionals through the best work-experience placements around.

The University is developing the writer’s programme in association with production companies in the North West, including AbbottVision, Red Productions, Lime Pictures, BBC writersroom, LA Productions, Made in Manchester and RSJ Productions.

Said Paul Abbott of AbbottVision: ‘AbbottVision are looking forward to working with the new writing talent coming through The Writers’ Lab @ Bolton. Personally, after nearly 30 years of writing for television and film, I haven’t lost sight of just how hard it is to get started and this project is tremendously exciting for those wanting to develop their writing skills.’