Posted: 12 February 2025
University Campus Doncaster and University Campus North Lincolnshire celebrate an incredible showcase of student talent
The inaugural Digital Fusion competition, held on Friday 31st January 2025, was an outstanding success, bringing together the best and brightest students from University Campus Doncaster (UCDon) and University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL) for a day full of energy, creativity, and cutting-edge innovation. This one-day DN Colleges Group (DNCG) competition allowed students from various disciplines to put their skills to the test in fast-paced challenges, with each event designed to showcase their talents and creativity in the world of digital and creative industries.
Programme Leader of Digital Technologies and driving force behind the competition Aimee Whittaker explained “Digital Fusion was created to provide a platform where students from diverse disciplines could come together to showcase their creativity, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. We wanted to foster collaboration, challenge boundaries, and equip students with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in the fast-paced digital world.”
A Day of skills, challenges and innovation
From start to finish, the event was filled with incredible moments of ingenuity. Students from disciplines including Software Development, Data Analytics, Game Development, Illustration and Concept Art were all pushing their limits to solve complex problems, create compelling projects and impress the judges.
- In Software Development, students tackled the challenge of designing dynamic matrix algorithms that reacted to changing probabilities.
- The Excel Wars tested competitors’ ability to turn raw data into meaningful visualisations, helping businesses make smart, strategic decisions.
- The Digital Innovation challenge had participants crafting business cases and strategies to digitally transform organisations, showing how technology can drive change.
- 3D Modelling competitors showcased their technical and artistic talents within Game Development, creating detailed and realistic digital assets.
- The Illustration and Concept Art challenge saw students bringing characters to life, using their creativity and technique to produce eye-catching designs.
It was inspiring to see how each student brought their unique perspective and problem-solving skills to the table, demonstrating not just technical ability, but also a real passion for innovation.
Aimee Whittaker added “Digital Fusion was not just a competition, but a showcase of the dedication, expertise, hard work and confidence of the Digital Technologies students at University Campus Doncaster and University Campus North Lincolnshire. It gave them the opportunity to engage with like-minded learners and build their confidence. They engaged with learners across multiple disciplines and realised the value of their own learning and developing skills.”
Celebrating creativity, innovation, and technical excellence
When the competition wrapped up, the top performers were recognised with Digital Fusion medals in each discipline. The gold, silver, and bronze winners truly stood out for their incredible work, but it was clear that every participant had something special to offer.
- Gold medallists were celebrated for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and technical excellence in their respective challenges.
- Silver and Bronze medallists were equally impressive, demonstrating that there’s no shortage of talent across all disciplines.
While the medals were a great way to celebrate the winners, the real value of the day was in the chance for students to showcase their abilities, connect with peers across DNCG and industry professionals, plus gain real-world experience that will serve them well in their future careers.
Winner of Data Analytics challenge Jake Kaye added “Taking part in the Digital Fusion competition has been an incredible experience. I really enjoyed the challenge, working alongside others, and putting my skills to the test in a real-world setting. Winning the Data Analytics competition was a huge achievement for me and gave me a real confidence boost. The competition not only reinforced my passion for digital but also showed me how much I’ve grown since returning to education.”
Winners
Software Development
Gold: Thomas Pontin (UCNL)
Silver: William Hattersley (UCDon)
Bronze: Mihai Trif (UNCL)
Excel Wars
Gold: Jake Kaye (UCNL)
Silver: Adam Fairbank (UCDon)
Bronze: Saskia Hall (UCNL)
Digital Innovation
Gold: Ben Stoney (UCNL)
Silver: Roula Zahra (UCDon)
Bronze: Robert Gobeaja (UCDon)
3D Modelling
Gold: Stephen Ryan (UCDon)
Silver: Ciaran Sykes (UCNL)
Bronze: Alesky Perdek (UCDon)
Illustration and Concept Art
Gold: Ellie Chappell (UCDon)
Silver: Lucy Ward (UCDon)
Bronze: Amelia Mangham (UCDon)
Building connections, inspiring futures
What really stood out about Digital Fusion 2025 was the sense of community and collaboration. It wasn’t just a competition; it was a chance for students to build relationships, exchange ideas, and be inspired by each other’s work. The event highlighted the tremendous talent within DNCG, and the incredible potential that these students have to shape the future of the digital and creative industries.
Looking to the future
The success of Digital Fusion 2025 marks just the beginning. We’re already looking ahead to next year’s event, where we’ll continue to celebrate innovation, creativity, and the brilliant minds who are shaping the future. This year’s competition demonstrated that the future is incredibly bright for these students, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish next.
Aimme Whittaker concluded “Staff from a range of DNCG departments and disciplines worked tirelessly to make this event a success, and I know the students will carry these experiences with them into their future careers. It’s been amazing to see our learners come out of their shells and truly embrace university life in ways we hoped for but didn’t expect. We’re excited to keep showcasing their talents and can’t wait for the next collaboration with Engineering and Construction students.”
Congratulations again to all our participants. The future of digital innovation is in great hands, and we’re excited to watch these talented students grow and succeed in the years ahead.
