The University of Salford launches campaign to mark ten years as premier partner of the Asian Media Awards

Since 2013, the University has been in partnership with the national gala, which has helped identify and bring wider attention to the UK’s best Asian talents working across the creative industries.

The awards are returning for their 11th year in Manchester at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on Friday 27 October.

To mark the awards’ success of the last decade, the University is launching a campaign that celebrates the success of our graduates of Asian descent in the creative sectors, the awards’ rise as a major influence on the UK’s Asian creative contingent and raises the profile and awareness of a career in these industries to those of Asian descent.

The University’s School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology’s partnership with the Asian Media awards began in 2013 with co-founders Shuiab Khan and the late Umbreen Ali, who worked tirelessly to establish the event.

Professor Allan Walker, Dean of the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology at the University of Salford said: “We are tremendously proud of our partnership with the Asian Media Awards over the last ten years. The awards are an exceptional example of showcasing the wider diversity amongst the UK’s creative sectors and continue to be an inspiration for those both working and seeking to work in these industries.

“Shuiab and Umbreen’s pioneering work has highlighted just how many talented people are working in the media from Britain’s Asian communities and we want that number to continue to grow. We also want to help ensure that the media fully represents the diversity, talent and creativity of the UK population.

“We are proud that our partnership has included our staff and students working with the Asian Media Awards, along with schools, colleges and the industry, to help make that happen.

“This campaign aims to emphasise that a career in the creative industries is for everyone and it is more important than ever for existing and potential students of all ethnicities to see those who look like them succeed at a high level and get recognition for their hard work.

“We are determined to play our part in inspiring the next generation of Asian talent to consider and pursue a successful career in the creative industries.”

The campaign, will consist of a range of different initiatives to promote a career in the creative industries to those of Asian descent. It will include;

• A dedicated web presence featuring case studies from our Asian graduates and information on how those of Asian decent can access a career in the creative industries through studying at the University of Salford.
• A social media campaign featuring interviews with some of our Asian graduates on how they got into the industry, what opportunities exist within the industry and their advice for getting started.
• An expanded mentorship scheme in which the University will work with the awards to identify a number of schools in the North West where secondary school pupils can learn more about a career in the creative industries from our students.
• Lectures from leading Asian talents across the UK who have made their mark on the industry throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

The University is also in discussions with a number of colleges in the North West about a scholarship scheme in accordance with our partnership with the Asian Media Awards that will present opportunities for Asian students to secure a scholarship to study with us. Further details on this scheme will be confirmed in due course.

Shuiab Khan, who organises the awards with Arif Asif and Yasin Ali Khan, said: “It has been wonderful working with the University of Salford to help shine a light on the varied work being produced within the media industry.

“Through the university’s commitment we have been able to highlight ground-breaking investigations, enthralling productions and creativity at all levels.

“Moreover, the university has been keen to support our aims and objectives during the past decade.

“Our focus has been on promoting and showcasing upcoming talent in the hope those involved will go on to reach their full potential.

“We are delighted that our partnerships have helped in some way to achieve this.”