News – Page 2 – WEST

25Nov

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News

Professor Andrew Hursthouse Retires

At the end of September 2025, Professor Andrew Hursthouse retired from University of the West of Scotland after 35 years. Here, fellow academic and alumnus, Dr Iain McLellan writes a tribute to him and the impact of his environmental science work. Professor Andrew Hursthouse I had a look through my lecture notes to see when I first met Andrew and it was 24 years ago this month when I had a lecture from Dr Hursthouse on soils. Back then I didn't understand why I was listening to a lecture on soils in a first-year chemistry module. Little did I know that Andrew would become my Honours Supervisor, my PhD Supervisor, my Mentor and my friend. Graduating with a BA (Hons) in Geochemistry from University of Reading in 1986, Andrew went on to Glasgow University to complete his PhD in En...

Perfect Trio Honoured at UWS Winter Graduation

21Nov

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Honorary Graduates, News

Perfect Trio Honoured at UWS Winter Graduation

A Scottish singing star, football legend and an inspiring parish minister have been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland's (UWS) winter graduations. Singer and songwriter Eddi Reader MBE has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from UWS for her contribution to music and the arts. The award was presented at the University’s Winter Graduation ceremony at Paisley Abbey on Tuesday 18 November, where she joined hundreds of graduating students celebrating their achievements. Born and raised in Glasgow until she was 16 and then spending her late teens in Irvine, Eddi Reader began performing at a young age, using music as a way to connect with others through busking and appearances in local folk clubs. Her career has spanned genres and decades. From early work with p...

Bestselling Authors Inspire UWS Audience

28Oct

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Honorary Graduates, News

Bestselling Authors Inspire UWS Audience

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Honorary Doctorate Masterclass has given students, staff and the public an insight into the world of historical fiction. Bestselling author Dr Marisa Haetzman delivered a masterclass at the University’s Paisley campus on Wednesday 15 October exploring her journey from medicine to literature. Dr Haetzman, who writes alongside her husband, crime author Chris Brookmyre, under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UWS in 2024 in recognition of her contributions to literature and the arts. Writing as Ambrose Parry, the pair have sold hundreds of thousands of books worldwide, with their award-winning Raven and Fisher series which captures the world of 19th-century Edinburgh, ...

Head of Oxfam Scotland’s Social Justice Work Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation

23Oct

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Honorary Graduates, News

Head of Oxfam Scotland’s Social Justice Work Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation

The Head of Oxfam Scotland has been recognised at the first of the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) winter graduations. Jamie Livingstone has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University’s Dumfries graduation ceremony, which took place at the Crichton Memorial Church on Wednesday 22 October 2025. Jamie has been at the helm of Oxfam Scotland since 2013 and was celebrated for his work to reduce inequalities and to address the climate crisis, not just in Scotland, but across the globe. Born and brought up in Dunfermline, Jamie studied international relations and economics at the University of St Andrews. Before being appointed Head of Oxfam Scotland, he was the charity’s Campaigns and Communications Manager, following an almost decade-long career in journalism, incl...

Inspirational Students Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation

23Oct

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News

Inspirational Students Celebrated at Dumfries Graduation

Two outstanding students have been awarded for their academic achievements at University of the West of Scotland’s Dumfries graduation ceremony on Wednesday 22 October 2025. At the first of the University’s winter graduations, Anna McKenna and Charlie McClure-Towers were recognised for their significant commitment and contribution during their studies at UWS. Anna McKenna Anna graduated with a BSc in Adult Nursing and was awarded the Evelyn Hastings Prize which is managed by The Crichton Foundation. Anna has demonstrated exceptional resilience and dedication throughout her nursing degree, managing her studies while navigating a deeply challenging personal situation at home, when during her training, a close relative became seriously ill and passed away. Despite this, Anna re...

9Sep

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News

Become a Mentor at UWS

Can you motivate people? Do you like helping people to develop? We are looking for inspiring professionals to mentor our students! The UWS mentoring programme is about to kick off for 2025-2026 and we are looking for alumni to get involved in the programme. Alumna and mentor Sarah said: “If I was to give one piece of advice for people thinking about doing mentoring… It would definitely be just to go for it. I got a lot out of it, passing on advice to my mentee and keeping my connections with UWS alive.” As a mentor, you will share your experience of work to help motivate and inspire your mentee and practice many skills including coaching and leadership. “Why did I become a mentor at UWS? First of all it was to give something back. I really enjoyed my time at UWS, it was an extr...

WEST Scholarship Inspires Graduate to First Class Honours Degree

3Sep

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Alumni Stories, News

WEST Scholarship Inspires Graduate to First Class Honours Degree

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has credited the WEST Scholarship he received during his studies as inspiration for him to pursue his dream of becoming a university lecturer. Brian Boyd recently graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Business and Marketing and was awarded the Court medal for his academic achievement. He has now returned to UWS to study MSc Digital Marketing, pursue a PhD, and inspire others as a lecturer. Brian is the first person in his family to earn a university degree, but it wasn’t a straight-forward journey to his graduation in July 2025. Brian explains how a WEST (Widening Education and Supporting Talent) Scholarship helped “change my whole outlook on university.” In the third year of his undergraduate degree, Brian ...

Exceptional Engineering Graduate Awarded for Achievements at Graduation

11Jul

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News

Exceptional Engineering Graduate Awarded for Achievements at Graduation

A civil engineering graduate has been recognised for his significant commitment and contribution during his studies at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). Stephen Cardwell, from East Kilbride, graduated with a BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering from UWS, and was awarded the Hutchison Prize for Engineering. The Hutchison Prize for Engineering was established in 2013 by UWS alumnus and retired Lanarkshire-born businessman, Dr Les Hutchison. The award recognises the best performing undergraduate engineering student graduating from the University's School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences. On being recognised with the award, Stephen, who now works as a graduate Civil Engineer at Scottish Water, said: “I’m delighted to be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Civi...

Inspirational Health Graduate Recognised at Summer Ceremony

11Jul

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News

Inspirational Health Graduate Recognised at Summer Ceremony

A recent graduate who is an "inspiration to other students" has been awarded for their academic achievements at University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations. Amy Bowers, from Royston in Glasgow, graduated with a BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing from UWS and received the Amundsen Trophy, which recognises a student who has overcome significant adversity during their studies but has managed to successfully continue with their programme. During Amy’s time at UWS, she has been caring for her mother who has regularly been in hospital, while at the same time dealing with the sudden death of her brother. Amy’s programme leader called Amy an “inspiration to other students”. Amy now works as a Community Addictions Nurse within the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Commen...

Charity leader recognised at UWS graduation

11Jul

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Honorary Graduates, News

Charity leader recognised at UWS graduation

An influential figure in the third sector has been celebrated as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations. Geoff Leask, previously the CEO of Young Enterprise Scotland, was recognised as part of a ceremony which took place at Paisley Abbey on Friday 11 July. Geoff has more than 25 years of experience working in the third sector. As well as leading Young Enterprise Scotland, he also spent 12 years with the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). This included eight years of regional responsibility before joining the senior management team and going on to serve as Director. https://youtu.be/DPaIyXShDnk?si=HfxyjtbTRG8WmeHr Geoff recently founded Clayhills Consultancy in August 2022 whose mission is to support charities and third ...