Profiles – WEST | Alumni Blog

Building Community Through Whisky and Conversation: Meet Alumna Pamela Dobbin

15Sep

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Featured, Profiles

Building Community Through Whisky and Conversation: Meet Alumna Pamela Dobbin

UWS Tourism Management graduate, Pamela Dobbin, has built a successful career in Canada’s beverage industry while co-founding the Dram Fine Podcast. Created to challenge stereotypes and make whisky more inclusive, the podcast has grown into a thriving community that hosts festivals, events and whisky experiences. Her love of whisky started with a dram from her Granny but her family connection to Islay meant that whisky has always been part of her life. Pamela Dobbin, BA Tourism Management (2011) Your podcast Dram Fine Podcast has been rated as the number 1 whisky podcast in Canada. Can you tell us how the idea for the podcast came about? My friend and I were sitting in a pub together in our mid-30s, initially joking about starting a band or finding a creative project to collaborat...

Turning Challenges into Achievement: Adele Mullan’s UWS Story

10Sep

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Profiles

Turning Challenges into Achievement: Adele Mullan’s UWS Story

In this alumni profile we speak to Summer 2026 Events Management graduate, Adele Mullan, about her experience at UWS. “This journey has been far from easy, but it has been worth every challenge. Not only have I achieved more academically than I ever thought possible, but I've also reached a place I never thought I'd be personally.” You graduated with a First-Class Honours degree and awarded the Court Medal for being the top-performing student. How did that feel? To be honest, I really didn't know anything about the Court Medal. It wasn't until I received an email confirming my award that I had a read on the UWS website explaining what it was and what it was given for, so it did come as a huge surprise for me. I felt very proud of myself and incredibly grateful to receive such ...

Shaping Strategy, Driving Change: Meet Alumna Kirsty Gaudet

1Jul

By uwsalumniNo Comments

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...

25May

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Featured, Profiles

Alumni Interview: David McFadden

In this alumni interview we speak to the newest member of University of the West of Scotland’s Fundraising & Alumni Team, David McFadden. Trust and Foundations Manager David, who graduated from UWS in 2011, tells us about his career in fundraising and his new role at UWS. David McFadden BA (Hons) Business Studies & International Marketing (2011) Can you tell us a bit about your time at the University - what you studied and why you chose UWS? I studied Business Studies and International Marketing at UWS and graduated in 2011. I’m local - I was born in Paisley and grew up in Erskine - so UWS always felt like a natural choice for me. It was close to home, but more importantly, it felt accessible and grounded. It felt like somewhere I could grow, build confidence, and prope...

30Apr

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Featured, Profiles

Alumni Interview: Melanie Smyth

In this alumni interview we speak with Melanie Smyth, a proud adult nursing graduate from UWS Ayr Campus, who has built an impressive career beyond traditional clinical practice. Now serving as Senior Director of Clinical Operations at hVIVO in London, Melanie reflects on her journey from the wards to senior leadership. Melanie Smyth BSc Adult Nursing 2008 Looking back, what originally inspired you to study nursing and why did you choose UWS? I've always seen nursing as more than just a ‘job’ - it's something in you, I genuinely believe it’s something you’re born with. I carry my nursing values with me everywhere, not just at work but also in my personal life. I chose UWS mainly because it had a great reputation and was close to my parents’ house, which made things easier while I ...

29Apr

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Featured, Profiles

Alumni Interview: Amanda Hursy

In this alumni interview we speak to comedian and writer Amanda Hursy, whose sharp observations have helped her build a growing reputation on the comedy circuit. Amanda graduated from the BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology degree at UWS. Photo: Amanda Hursy, BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology (2009) Can you tell us a bit about what you’re doing now? I am working up material for my new stand up hour called ‘Death of a Saleswoman’ that will be on at the Gilded Balloon Patter House this Edinburgh Fringe. It's a new show about masking in the corporate sales world for over 20 years and accidentally becoming a comedian. I am also building up my own business which is launching this year and have already been booked for huge civic events such as the Commonwealth games - so it's an exci...

20Feb

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Featured, Profiles

UWS Graduate is All In For Glasgow 2026

As a University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Sport Graduate, Gary Grieve has always had a passion for supporting sport in communities, believing that it can be transformative in young peoples' lives and a force for good. His career has taken him to Copenhagen, London, Loughborough and now, Glasgow. Here he tells us how he's All In for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. How did studying at UWS prepare you for a career in the Sport Industry? My course had a variety of modules including Event Management, Sports Development, Sports Coaching and Sports Tourism, to name a few. The variety of modules provided me with a greater understanding of the wider sport, physical activity, culture and health sectors whilst also getting hands on experience. As part of my course, I complet...

14Nov

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Profiles

Alumni Interview: ES David

In this interview we speak to alumnus and author E.S. David, who is releasing his debut novel - The Trials of Aqouril – a coming-of-age story that delivers heart and high stakes when a teen discovers hidden powers. When she is suddenly transported to the enthralling world of Aqouril, sixteen-year-old Erica discovers an extraordinary ability to control water - an ancient power that marks her for something far greater than she ever imagined. To master her gift and uncover the secrets of Aqouril, Erica must face a series of harrowing trials that test her courage, strain her friendships, and push her to her limits. Ewen David with his novel The Trials of Aqouril Ewen, 31, who hails from Lanarkshire and graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance at UWS, has a passion for...

26Jun

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Profiles

Alumni Interview: Mohammed Salihu

In this interview we speak to alumnus and poet Mohammed Salihu, who has published his debut collection of poetry, Voices from the Soil: Wounds and Wisdom. Tell us about the book and how it came about? Voices from the Soil: Wounds and Wisdom came from a deeply personal place. I started writing the poems as a way to process the loss of my father. At the time, I didn’t have the words to express what I was feeling, but poetry became a safe space for me to let it all out. As time passed, I realised that my poems often reflected where I was in my grief journey. When I was hurting, they were heavy. But as I began to heal, my writing shifted into something more hopeful and filled with gratitude. The book explores grief, memory, cultural identity, and resilience. It's not just about los...

Alumnus Named in the Top 10 Australian Franchise Executives

29May

By uwsalumniNo Comments

Alumni Stories, Profiles

Alumnus Named in the Top 10 Australian Franchise Executives

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been named number 9 in the Top 30 Franchise Executives Report that showcases exceptional individual performance by Australia’s franchisor professionals. UWS Computer Animation graduate John McDougall is the Marketing and AI Manager at Think Water, an international franchise group made up of independent locally owned and operated businesses located throughout Australia and New Zealand who specialise in delivering innovative and sustainable irrigation, pumping, filtration and water treatment solutions. John’s recent focus has been on driving commercial success through the development and implementation of a pioneering AI solution. John commented: “I’m grateful (and very excited!) to be listed in this year’s Top 30 Franchise...