August 2023 – WEST | Alumni Blog

28Aug

By uwsalumni1 Comment

Alumni Stories

Land Economics Celebration Dinner

The University was delighted to welcome back over 80 alumni to the Paisley Campus on Thursday 24 August to celebrate the ground-breaking Land Economics programme. It was wonderful to have representation from the class of 1972 right up to 1997 in the Brough Hall (now known as Chancellor’s Hall), to recount memories of academic staff, field trips and friendships formed whilst studying on the Land Economics course. The history of the Land Economics degree traces back to the 1960s when Paisley College of Technology introduced a part-time course in 1966, focusing on the examinations of the General Practice Section of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (R.I.C.S). Two years later in 1968, the full-time Diploma in Land Economics commenced, meri...

UWS lecturer appointed to major journalism role

A senior lecturer from University of the West of Scotland’s School of Business and Creative Industries has been appointed Chair of an internationally influential journalism group. Dr Margaret Hughes, Programme Leader for BA Journalism, has been elected Chair of the World Journalism Education Council (WJEC). The globally-respected organisation represents universities worldwide that are involved in journalism and mass communication, seeking to provide a space for educators to focus on issues that are universal in the field. Dr Hughes said: “It is a huge privilege to have been elected Chair of the WJEC and to take over from Verica Rupar is no small task. I am very much looking forward to working with journalism educators from across all of our member organisations to provide suppo...

Fast Track to Glory for UWS Graduate and Racing Driver

UWS graduate Isla Mackenzie’s ambitions to make it as a racing driver is told in a BBC One network documentary, as part of the series ‘Our Lives.’ Isla who joined Williams Racing as a Prototype & Test Technician following graduation from the BEng (Hons) Motorsport Design Engineering at UWS in 2017, is now working as an engine tester for Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team, while chasing her dream of becoming a driver. BBC Director of Nations Rhodri Talfan Davies said: “Our Lives is a celebration of remarkable people across the UK – their dreams, aspirations, and their determination to make things happen.” The episode featuring Isla describes how she has a sought-after role at one of the world's top Formula One teams, testing engines for some of the biggest names in mo...