UWS Alumni Blog

Tag: Business

Building Community Through Whisky and Conversation: Meet Alumna Pamela Dobbin
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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...
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Turning Challenges into Achievement: Adele Mullan’s UWS Story
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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 ...
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Leading Asian Communications Technology Group Appoints UWS Graduate as Senior Director
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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!...
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TNE partnership strengthened with launch of Sri Lanka’s first UK Doctor of Business Administration
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News

TNE partnership strengthened with launch of Sri Lanka’s first UK Doctor of Business Administration

University of the West of Scotland and Imperial College of Business Studies (ICBS) have marked a significant milestone in their partnership with the agreement to deliver the first UK Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) qualification in Sri Lanka, with the first cohort of students starting in September. The collaboration was celebrated at a special event in Colombo, bringing together senior representatives from UWS and ICBS, distinguished guests, alumni, academic colleagues and industry partners. The event included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising the partnership between UWS and ICBS to deliver a prestigious UK doctoral qualification in Sri Lanka for the first time.  The agreement reflects the strength of the relationship between UWS and ICB...
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UWS Graduate to Lead IonQ’s EMEA Business
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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, ...
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Alumnus Named in the Campaign UK 40 Over 40 Awards 2026
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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...
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Husband and Wife Duo Graduate Together from UWS
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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...
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Mother and Daughter Graduation Success
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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...
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Eight influential figures to be honoured at summer graduations
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Honorary Graduates

Eight influential figures to be honoured at summer graduations

Eight prominent figures will be celebrated at University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) summer graduations.  Paisley Abbey Jean Johansson, Laura Montgomery & Carol Anne Stewart, Fiona Campbell MBE, Paul Andrew, Manira Ahmad, Brian Cannon and Evelyn McDonald will be given Honorary Doctorates as part of the University’s graduation ceremonies, running from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 July.  Evelyn McDonald, CEO of business funding enterprise, Scottish Edge. Tuesday 7 July 2pm. Brian Cannon, owner of graphic design company, Microdot, and creator of Oasis’ debut album cover for Definitely Maybe. Wednesday 8 July 10.30am Manira Ahmad, Chief Officer of Public Health Scotland. Wednesday 8 July 2pm. Paul Andrew, Vice-Principal of Public Affairs and Communication at Harvard Un...
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Shaping Strategy, Driving Change: Meet Alumna Kirsty Gaudet
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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...
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