UWS Alumni Blog

Month: April 2024

WEST Scholarship Recipient Event in Paisley
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News

WEST Scholarship Recipient Event in Paisley

A group of UWS students who receive a WEST Scholarship gathered on campus to provide feedback on the programme and their experience at UWS so far. The WEST (Widening Education and Supporting Talent) Scholarship Programme aims to provide students with an outstanding experience at UWS by reducing their financial barriers and supporting the journey through their degree to graduation. Members from the UWS Student Success team were also in attendance at the event to signpost additional support and explore ways to enhance the programme. Brian, a BA Business and Marketing student at UWS, shared how beneficial a WEST Scholarship has been this year at the event: "I thought I was going to drop out at first. Now getting a Scholarship has changed my whole outlook on university. It's been...
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Influential Alumna Receives Recognition for Role in Fintech
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Alumni Stories

Influential Alumna Receives Recognition for Role in Fintech

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has received recognition as one of the top 100 women in finance and technology, by FinTech Magazine. Dr Wajeeha H. Awadh, who graduated with an MSc in Project Management in 2015 from UWS, was ranked 1st in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region and 51 overall in the magazine’s Top 100 Women in Fintech supplement, championing female leaders and pioneers driving innovation across the industry. Wajeeha commented: “It's incredibly humbling to be listed among such inspiring global women leaders from top banks and organizations in the industry.” Specialising in project management, fintech, technology management, banking and PMO, Wajeeha is the Chief Digital Officer of Al Baraka Group. She joined the Al Bakara Group in 2015, followin...
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UWS Graduate Makes History at the 2024 London Marathon
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Alumni Stories

UWS Graduate Makes History at the 2024 London Marathon

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has made history by becoming the first female frame runner to complete the London Marathon. Dr Julie McElroy, who graduated with her PhD from UWS in 2017 and has cerebral palsy, completed the marathon in five hours and 59 minutes on Sunday, accompanied by her support runner Gill Menzies. It's an accumulation of 5 months of hard work... I just can't believe it. I've always wanted a big medal and now I've got one in the London Marathon! I've made history." A doctor of assistive technology, Julie has faced unique challenges throughout her life. Born with cerebral palsy, she is profoundly deaf and wears two hearing aids. Following a HND in Information Systems at Glasgow Clyde College, Julie enrolled on the BA (Hons) Information...
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Graduate Captains the Scotland CP Football Team to World Championship Glory
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Alumni Stories

Graduate Captains the Scotland CP Football Team to World Championship Glory

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has captained the Scotland Cerebral Palsy Football Team to success in the World Championship. Sport and Exercise graduate Matthew Wynne, scored two goals in the final against Northern Ireland to secure the Championship in Spain, lifting the cup and being named the best player at the tournament (MVP). Defender Matthew, who graduated from the Lanarkshire campus in 2023, told STV news: “We prepared so hard for this. Two years ago we were in the same position in the final but we didn’t win it. I knew within myself that we had to rectify that mistake we made. Winning it this year was just a huge achievement for all of us.” https://twitter.com/CPfootball_SCO/status/1781004769059807499 "My time at UWS was great, the lecturers were ...
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Former Students Feature in Widening Access campaign
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Alumni Stories, News

Former Students Feature in Widening Access campaign

The extraordinary stories of graduates from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) who entered higher education from a non-traditional route is being highlighted in a new national campaign by Universities Scotland. Alumnus Jamie Kinlochan features in the campaign. Graduating with a BA (Hons) in Politics and Social Policy in 2013, Jamie’s work with charity Who Cares? Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic led to him being awarded the British Empire Medal for services to vulnerable people in Scotland. He recently completed an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and now works as a counsellor in Paisley, 15 minutes from the UWS campus, delivering mental health support to people from communities that have been socially and economically marginalised. The high-quality teaching that I...
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UWS Celebrates Tartan Day in New York with Alumni and Friends
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Alumni Stories, News

UWS Celebrates Tartan Day in New York with Alumni and Friends

The University was delighted to take part in the annual New York Tartan Day Parade Saturday 6 April 2024. It is the first time the University has participated, and our alumni did not let us down! Former students travelled from the UK to join us while others came together in their adopted home in the US to celebrate all things Scottish. https://youtube.com/shorts/24RBkO3bNF8?feature=share Alumni joined guests and colleagues including Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Miller to proudly represent UWS in New York. The parade brings together clans, bands, university graduates, community groups and people across the United States who celebrate their connection to Scotland and the contribution Scots have made to the USA. Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor Dougray Scott w...
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