UWS Alumni Blog

Month: November 2023

Business founded by UWS graduate wins Scottish Edge Award
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Alumni Stories, News

Business founded by UWS graduate wins Scottish Edge Award

With many UK firms struggling to innovate against the current economic backdrop, a graduate’s business is one of 38 Scottish businesses with high-growth potential to have received a much-needed injection of cash at the 22nd round of the Scottish EDGE Awards that took place 29 November 2023. Fairouz Dridi, who graduated in 2020 from UWS Ayr campus, is founder of Screen Hustler (Glasgow) - a talent marketplace and portfolio platform for the film and TV industry – and winner of Young EDGE. Scottish EDGE was undoubtedly the most prestigious and outstanding award experience. The judges' commitment to providing detailed feedback underscores the professionalism and dedication of the competition. I'm absolutely buzzing about winning and being surrounded by champions!” Fairouz Dridi Fo...
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Alumnus and Politician collects Lifetime Achievement Award
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Honorary Graduates, News

Alumnus and Politician collects Lifetime Achievement Award

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has joined the likes of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Scotland's first female Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini, by receiving the Lifetime Achievement award at the Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards on Thursday 23 November. John Francis McFall, Lord McFall of Alcluith, graduated from Paisley College (now UWS Paisley Campus) with a BSc in Chemistry and has gone on to have a 36 year career at Westminster, most recently elected as Lord Speaker of the House of Lords in 2021. https://twitter.com/heraldscotland/status/1728050848918573384 Prior to his political career, he was a maths and chemistry teacher and deputy headteacher for 13 years in the West of Scotland. Before entering the Lords in 2010, Lord McFall...
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Animation Graduates Named in the Credits for Game Call of Duty
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News

Animation Graduates Named in the Credits for Game Call of Duty

Five University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduates have been named in the credits for their work on latest Call of Duty game. The alumni, all computer animation arts graduates, Ami Wood, Aleksander Krzyszton, Lindsey Brown, Zoe Makin and Sofie Jaehn worked on the game for Animation and Post-production company DI4D. DI4D have worked on the two previous Modern Warfare titles, collaborating with Sledgehammer Games, working with the studio on facial capture and animation for the in-game characters and cinematics. UWS graduate Sofie Jaehn, a 2D & 3D Artist, Animator & VFX Artist commented on LinkedIn: “I am so proud to share that I was part of the team that created the lifelike facial capture for the characters of Call of Duty. My colleagues at DI4D and I worked so hard on...
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WEST Scholarship Success
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News

WEST Scholarship Success

Thanks to the support of our donors, alumni and friends, 37 students at the University of the West of Scotland are receiving life-changing scholarships this year. UWS welcomes more students from widening participation backgrounds than any other University in Scotland. Now more than ever, our students need our support to be able to say ‘yes’ to the opportunities they will experience at UWS and progress throughout their degree to graduation. The WEST Scholarship Programme supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at UWS free from financial worry. The programme places particular focus on supporting care experienced students, and students estranged from their families who do not have family to rely on in times of financial hardship. Thanks to the generous donations of ...
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Inspirational figures celebrated at winter graduations
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Honorary Graduates, News

Inspirational figures celebrated at winter graduations

Three inspirational figures were celebrated at University of the West of Scotland's (UWS) winter graduations in November in the surroundings of the historic Paisley Abbey. Andrew Malcolm, Anna Magnusson and Ann Moulds were awarded Honorary Doctorates as part of the University’s Winter graduation ceremonies, running from Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November. Writer, broadcaster and radio producer Anna Magnusson was recognised at the 2pm ceremony on Tuesday 14 November. Anna was first a researcher and then a producer for BBC Radio Scotland, producing programmes across a range of genres and networks. She was also the Senior Producer of the Religion and Ethics department at BBC Radio Scotland until 2009. As a freelance writer and award-winning broadcaster, she continues to tel...
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UWS Graduates Compete in Prime Video’s Series 007: Road To A Million
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News

UWS Graduates Compete in Prime Video’s Series 007: Road To A Million

Two University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduates have been taking part in a brand-new adventure series, 007: Road To A Million, from Prime Video where nine pairs go head-to-head for up to £1,000,000 in prize money. Daniella Gualtieri and Grace Nicoll, both Broadcast Production graduates from UWS Ayr Campus, became friends while working at Capital Radio in Glasgow following graduation. Daniella has her own Radio 1 show and Grace hosts the weekend show on Heart FM and is also a continuity announcer for Channel 4. Daniella commented on LinkedIn: “Last year an opportunity presented itself to take part in the new James Bond adventure. Make money? Travel the world? You say. You’ll pay, we’ll play? SIGN ME UP! We can’t wait to share this with you as we try add some Scottishness to ...
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Scottish Games Awards Success for Alumnus and UWS Lecturer
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News

Scottish Games Awards Success for Alumnus and UWS Lecturer

A University of the West of Scotland graduate has been named as Best Educator at the prestigious Scottish gaming industry event, the Scottish Games Awards 2023. Dr Thomas Hainey, PhD/MSc Advanced Computer Systems Development (2006/2010), faced strong competition from Glasgow Caledonian University, Edinburgh College, Abertay University, Fife College and Heriot-Watt University picking up the award at a spectacular celebration of excellence, innovation, and extraordinary talent on Thursday 2 November 2023. Thomas commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to win Best Educator at the Scottish Games Awards 2023. It was a fantastic night celebrating the talent in the Scottish Games Ecosystem.” “I am unable to express what an honour it is to receive such an award and a special thanks to my bri...
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