Featured – WEST | Alumni Blog

Leading Asian Communications Technology Group Appoints UWS Graduate as Senior Director

31Aug

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Alumni Stories, Featured

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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Alumni Stories, Featured

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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Alumni Stories, Featured

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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Alumni Stories, Featured

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...

TV Host and Graduate Awarded an Honorary Doctorate

17Jul

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Featured, Honorary Graduates

TV Host and Graduate Awarded an Honorary Doctorate

Scottish television personality and broadcaster Jean Johansson has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at University of the West of Scotland’s summer graduations. Known for hosting hit Channel 4 show A Place in the Sun, Jean was celebrated on 10 July during a ceremony at Paisley Abbey for her remarkable career in television and radio, where she has become one of Scotland's most recognisable and respected broadcasters. Jean is an alumna of the University, graduating in 2010 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Known for presenting a range of popular programmes, Jean has built a reputation for engaging storytelling, professionalism, and connecting with audiences across the UK. Beyond her broadcasting career, Jean has been a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion...

Husband and Wife Duo Graduate Together from UWS

16Jul

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Alumni Stories, Featured

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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Alumni Stories, Featured

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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Alumni Stories, Featured

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...

Eight Influential Figures Honoured by UWS at Summer Graduations

13Jul

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Featured, Honorary Graduates

Eight Influential Figures Honoured by UWS at Summer Graduations

The University is delighted to welcome eight incredible individuals into the UWS family who were recognised as part of our summer graduations. Jean Johansson, Laura Montgomery & Carol Anne Stewart, Fiona Campbell MBE, Paul Andrew, Manira Ahmad, Brian Cannon and Evelyn McDonald were given Honorary Doctorates as part of the University’s graduation ceremonies in July at Paisley Abbey. https://vimeo.com/1213268064 Their leadership, innovation and service have made a lasting impact across a diverse range of fields and each of them have forged strong connections with our University’s communities. They each exemplify the values, ambition and civic commitment that lie at the heart of UWS. Evelyn McDonald, CEO of business funding enterprise, Scottish Edge. Tuesday 7 July 2pm. ...

Shaping Strategy, Driving Change: Meet Alumna Kirsty Gaudet

1Jul

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Featured, Profiles

Shaping Strategy, Driving Change: Meet Alumna Kirsty Gaudet

In this alumni profile we speak to Kirsty Gaudet, an accomplished senior executive with extensive experience in global operations, strategic planning and sales enablement based in Switzerland. Lanarkshire born Kirsty graduated in 2000 with a BA (Hons) in Business Economics. Kirsty Gaudet BA (Hons) Business Economics (2000) Could you tell us a bit about your current role with Nexthink? I am the Revenue Operations strategic business partner for EMEA at Nexthink, a high growth SaaS company. In practical terms, my role is about driving growth through strategic planning for sales and other go to market teams, and continuous improvement through data, process and technology. It's a role that spans teams and combines strategy and execution, which keeps things interesting - no two days loo...