February 2024 – WEST

29Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories

UWS Graduate Recording Football History

What started out as an honours year passion project at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has developed into a full-time job for graduate Iaian Sands. I had such a good experience during my time with UWS, I wanted to reach out and tell a bit of my story so far. Iaian Sands, BA (Hons) Filmmaking & Screenwriting 2018 Iaian, who graduated with a first-class honours degree in Filmmaking & Screenwriting in his hometown of Ayr, is now Archive Video Producer for Rangers Football Club doing a job he loves. Iaian told us: “Since I was getting a fair bit of freelance work in football at the time during my honours year, I had a real focus on football for my studies. My honours year creative project was a film on the history of Ayr United FC and my dissertation was on the footb...

28Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Profiles

Alumni Spotlight: Alan Williamson CTO & Partner of the Portfolio Operations Group for New Harbor Capital

In this alumni interview we speak to Alan Williamson, who graduated from the University of Paisley (now UWS Paisley campus) in 1994 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Computing Science with Digital Control. Now based in the USA, Alan is Chief Technology Officer and Partner of the Portfolio Operations Group for New Harbor Capital. He is also an author, entrepreneur, lecturer and a Java Champion. It was the best decision I ever made. At 16 I left home, went up to Paisley and it was the best 5 years of my life.” Alan Williamson https://youtu.be/H0fPX5Yn-NI?si=X6DEz1c47ko7habn Alan discusses his time studying in Paisley and his early career in the UK following graduation, before a pivotal moment where he “jumped into the Java space” becoming a Java Champion and ultimately taking his ca...

UWS Graduate and Lecturer Joins Hit BBC TV Show

26Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

News

UWS Graduate and Lecturer Joins Hit BBC TV Show

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) gradaute and academic has been casting his expert eye over some of Scotland’s top holiday hotspots as part of a hit BBC TV show. Dr Masood Khodadadi, a lecturer in Tourism and Events Management is part of a seven-strong judging panel on Scotland’s Greatest Escape. The eight-part series – hosted by comedian and wrestler Grado – travels the length and breadth of the country to find the ultimate holiday getaway. Masood said: “It was a fantastic experience to be part of this show, and to have the opportunity to see first-hand just how much Scotland has to offer. “We all know that Scotland is a beautiful country, and the series really highlights how much there is to see and do. “It wasn’t easy to select a winner – and you’ll just have ...

Solo Debut for Graduate at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival

22Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories, News

Solo Debut for Graduate at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival

A University of the West of Scotland performance graduate will be making her solo debut at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival in March 2024. Scottish actor, video creator and stand-up comedian Sophie Rose McCabe graduated in 2011 from UWS Ayr Campus with a BA (Hons) in Performance. Mother Bored (WIP) is a new work-in-progress featuring characters, stand-up, stories and sketches inspired by Sophie’s wild past and chaotic present as a single mum. Sophie’s viral social media skits as ‘Edinburgh Morningside Mum’ (with ‘West End Mum’, Zara Gladman) were praised in The Herald, Scotsman, Edinburgh Live. With credits including BBC (Short Stuff, The Social), Channel 4, The Comedy Unit and professional theatre, Sophie recently caught attention on the Scottish stand-up circuit and on Sco...

Discount for Alumni Undertaking the Master’s in Professional Practice on a Part-time Basis

21Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

News

Discount for Alumni Undertaking the Master’s in Professional Practice on a Part-time Basis

University of the West of Scotland’s Master’s in Professional Practice (MProf) is now available on a part-time basis with a 20% discount on master's degree tuition fees for self-funding UWS Alumni. Representing a first in Scotland, the MProf offers the opportunity for participants to design a postgraduate programme that is fully tailored to their professional and personal development needs – providing the ability to select a range of modules from across UWS’s vast portfolio. UWS alumni can now take advantage of a 20% discount on tuition fees for a Master’s programme that has an intake in May 2024 and provides a flexible approach to meeting the needs of graduates and professionals looking to engage in personalised, accelerated, and impactful professional development. Karen Stitt, U...

Graduate Awarded Scotland’s Social Worker of the Year

12Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories, News

Graduate Awarded Scotland’s Social Worker of the Year

A Social Work graduate from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has been awarded the prestigious title of Scotland's Social Worker of the Year 2023. Jean Ritchie, who completed a BA (Hons) in Social Work at University of Paisley (now UWS Paisley Campus) in 2004, received the award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Adult Support & Protection (ASP) and her advocacy for the importance of Carers and those with lived experience of ASP. My experience studying at UWS provided me with excellent theory and knowledge regarding Social Work practice, plus a valuable opportunity to complete two fabulous social work placements which enabled me to tie everything together and put my knowledge into practice. The lecturers were supportive and offered their own experienc...

Graduate Named Amongst Top 50 Influential USA Channel Chiefs

10Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

News

Graduate Named Amongst Top 50 Influential USA Channel Chiefs

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been named in the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs 2024, which recognises top leaders driving significant channel growth. Gordon Mackintosh, Group Vice President at Juniper Partner Organization, studied International Marketing from 1993 to 1998 at University of Paisley (now UWS Paisley Campus), before going on to complete a postgraduate qualification in Information Technology in 1999 at the University. In his role as Group Vice President, Global Channels and Virtual Sales, Gordon is driving Juniper's go-to-market strategy with partners, aimed at delivering greater business outcomes through Juniper's broad portfolio of secure, AI-driven, cloud-based solutions, and managed-services offerings. It's an honour and privilege to ...

National Recognition for Graduate’s Drug Use Research

2Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

News

National Recognition for Graduate’s Drug Use Research

A graduate and PhD student from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has won a prestigious national award for her research into drug use in Scotland. Beata Ciesluk is the first UWS recipient of the Robertson Medal, presented annually by the Carnegie Trust to the most outstanding student on its PhD scholarship programme. Beata said: “It’s fantastic to receive this recognition: winning this medal means a lot to me.” Beata was chosen from 11 students awarded scholarships in this year’s cohort. Her research focuses on the increasing rates of drug use in “hidden” parts of the population not traditionally associated with drug use, such as women and older individuals. Beata, who is originally from Poland, moved to Lerwick with her family when she was 14. Having studied Psychology ...