Alumni Stories – WEST

UWS Graduate Wins Scots Writer o the Year Award

1Oct

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UWS Graduate Wins Scots Writer o the Year Award

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Lucy Beth has been named Scots Writer o the Year at the Scots Language Awards 2026. Previous winners of the award include Morna Young, Liz Lochhead and Rona Munro. Lucy Beth BA (Hons) Performance (2020) A native Doric speaker (the traditional dialect of the Scots Language spoken in the North East of Scotland), Lucy graduated from UWS in 2020 with a BA (Hons) degree in Performance and seeks to make and perform work in Doric as a means of continuing to render the dialect present. Her recent credits include solo show Ma Name is Isabelle, performed at The Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, and a spoken-word poem celebrating the 120th anniversary of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. Reacting to the aw...

Scottish Rom-Com Written by UWS Graduate Makes Cinema Debut

25Sep

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Scottish Rom-Com Written by UWS Graduate Makes Cinema Debut

A contemporary Scottish romantic comedy written by University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Kevin Walls has been released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Kevin Walls BA (Hons) Commercial Music 2012 Set in Glasgow, Premature follows two flatmates navigating an unexpected pregnancy after a one-night stand. Blending humour with honest, character-driven storytelling, the film explores ambition, self-determination and unpredictability through a millennial lens. Kevin, who wrote, directed and produced the film, said: “Premature is a romantic comedy, but at its heart it’s a coming-of-age film about two millennials who aren’t quite fully formed. “We made Premature to connect with audiences, so bringing it to cinemas is incredibly exciting. This has been a truly collabora...

Graduate Awarded OBE for Services to Maths Education

8Sep

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Graduate Awarded OBE for Services to Maths Education

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Dr Rashmi Mantri has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to Mathematics Education. Dr Rashmi Mantri OBE Rashmi, who studied a PhD at UWS and is founder of Glasgow's British Youth International College (BYITC) which offers after school classes for 5-14-year-olds, was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the summer. Rashmi commented: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been awarded an 𝐎𝐁𝐄. It is difficult to put into words what this recognition means to me. “I accept this honour with immense gratitude and humility, and I am thankful to everyone who has supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout my journey.” Growing up in a small town in India, Rashmi dreamed...

Leading Asian Communications Technology Group Appoints UWS Graduate as Senior Director

31Aug

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Leading Asian Communications Technology Group Appoints UWS Graduate as Senior Director

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been appointed Senior Director, Technology & Transformation GBS, at Singtel Group in Malaysia. Terence Tan, MBA (2024) Terence Tan, who graduated with an MBA from UWS in 2024, has joined Singtel from Herbalife, where he was Regional IT Director for APAC, with technology leadership responsibilities across 14 markets. Previously, he spent 16 years with British American Tobacco in regional and global technology leadership roles. Talking about his time studying with UWS Terence commented: “Pursuing my MBA at UWS was a decision I had delayed for years through work and life situations, given the excuse that the timing was never quite right. But from the moment I finally clicked the button and paid the fees, I never looked back!...

UWS Graduate to Lead IonQ’s EMEA Business

12Aug

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UWS Graduate to Lead IonQ’s EMEA Business

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been appointed Senior Vice President (SVP), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for IonQ the world’s leading quantum platform and foundry. Martin Brown BA Business Economics (1996) Martin Brown graduated from University of Paisley (now UWS) with a BA in Business Economics in 1996. Martin commented on LinkedIn: “I'm incredibly excited to join IonQ as SVP, EMEA. “Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to help grow businesses at moments when transformative technologies were moving from early adoption to mainstream impact. “What drew me to IonQ is the combination of technical leadership, ambitious vision, and relentless focus on execution. IonQ is helping define the future of quantum computing, quantum networking, ...

Alumnus Named in the Campaign UK 40 Over 40 Awards 2026

7Aug

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Alumnus Named in the Campaign UK 40 Over 40 Awards 2026

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate, Andrew Dobbie, is amongst the winners in the Campaign Magazine UK 40 Over 40 Awards, honouring professionals in advertising, media, marketing, and technology. Andrew, who graduated from University of Paisley (now UWS) in 2003, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to the industry, from ground-breaking work, head-turning innovations to outside-of-the-box thinking and memorable campaigns as CEO of MadeBrave. Commenting on social media, Andrew said: “Over the moon to be named on Campaign’s 40 Over 40 list. “Some days when you’re running a business you need a wee positive shot of adrenaline in the arm. There are plenty of ups and downs, and today’s firmly in the up column.” Following graduation from the BSc Mult...

Alumna Awarded for Advancing Equality and Anti-Racism in Education

31Jul

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Alumna Awarded for Advancing Equality and Anti-Racism in Education

A UWS alumna and professor has been awarded by the UK’s leading educational research authority for her work in driving equality and embedding anti-racism practices within the Scottish education system. Professor Khadija Mohammed, University of West of Scotland Dr Khadija Mohammed, Professor of Teacher Education and Associate Vice-Principal (Inclusivity), has won the 2026 British Educational Research Association (BERA) Equality in Education Award. Describing her as “a leading voice in anti-racist education”, BERA has recognised Professor Mohammed’s impact on educational policy and professional practice, as well as her work in challenging systemic barriers affecting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) educators and students. Her work has informed policy development, curriculum r...

Husband and Wife Duo Graduate Together from UWS

16Jul

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Husband and Wife Duo Graduate Together from UWS

Husband and wife Fahim Baqir and Faiza Baqir, celebrate graduating together at a ceremony in Paisley Abbey during Summer graduation. Both Fahim and Faiza graduated from the BA Business and Leadership course, delivered in partnership with New College Lanarkshire, returning to education after years focusing on family, running businesses, and serving their community. Fahim Baqir and Faiza Baqir Fahim commented: "One year ago, Faiza and I made the decision to return to university in our later lives. "It hasn’t been an easy journey balancing family, work, community commitments and studying, but every late night and every assignment has been worth it.” Fahim, who was this year appointed as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, is a Scottish entrepreneur, community leader, and cha...

Dad’s Dementia Journey Inspires Alzheimer Scholarship Student Graduating

15Jul

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Dad’s Dementia Journey Inspires Alzheimer Scholarship Student Graduating

A student inspired to pursue a dementia research scholarship after his father's diagnosis has graduated at Paisley Abbey. Connor McDonald is the first recipient of the Dr Wendy Baxter Legacy Scholarship and has graduated from University of the West of Scotland after completing his pioneering PhD research to improve the experiences of families visiting loved ones with dementia in care homes. Connor was driven to undertake the scholarship after caring for his father, Danny, who lives with early onset vascular dementia. His PhD explored how family members can be better supported to spend meaningful time with relatives living with advanced dementia. Connor said his own family's experience inspired him to pursue the research: "This is an area very close to my heart as I am currently a...

14Jul

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Mother and Daughter Graduation Success

A family celebrated a double success at the UWS Graduation ceremonies at Paisley Abbey in July, with mother and daughter graduating together in the summer. Nicola and Kendall Kane Nicola and Kendall Kane, from Kilmarnock, both completed their undergraduate degree programmes at UWS, with mum Nicola from the Events Management degree and daughter Kendall earning her degree in Sports Coaching and Development. Kendall, who has applied for postgraduate study at UWS, said: “Graduating at the same time as my mum made the achievement even more meaningful and it’s a memory we’ll always cherish. “Studying at UWS has been such a positive experience and it’s given me the knowledge and confidence to follow my goal of becoming a primary teacher. “I’m looking forward to continuing my journe...