International – WEST

Sport Graduate Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Fordham University

3Apr

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Alumni Stories, Featured

Sport Graduate Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Fordham University

Following a national search, Fordham University has announced that a University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate will become its new head women's basketball coach, taking the reins of the school's 55-year-old program. Neil Harrow, BSc Sport Coaching 2010 Sport coaching graduate Neil Harrow joins Fordham after a standout season at Long Island University, where he orchestrated a 20-win season in his debut year as head coach. His arrival at Rose Hill follows a decorated coaching career, including a successful stint as the associate head coach at James Madison University from 2022 to 2025 "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead Fordham women's basketball," said Neil. "I want to sincerely thank President Tetlow and Athletic Director Charles Guthrie for their faith i...

Recognition for UWS Graduate at the Study UK Alumni Awards

18Feb

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Alumni Stories, Featured

Recognition for UWS Graduate at the Study UK Alumni Awards

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been recognised at the Study UK Alumni Awards in Pakistan. Shaheena Salman Alwani, who studied Maternal and Child Health at UWS, was a finalist in the Science and Sustainability category of the Awards that celebrate the outstanding achievements of international UK alumni worldwide. Shaheena said: "I was delighted to be a finalist in the Alumni Awards and to be recognised for my work in healthcare was particularly pleasing." A senior nursing leader with over two decades of experience in education reform, research, and community health in Pakistan. Shaheena champions evidence-informed practice across maternal and child health, mental health, geriatrics, and primary care, with internationally recognised research and WHO...

Enterprise Seychelles Agency Appoints UWS Graduate as CEO

13Jan

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Alumni Stories

Enterprise Seychelles Agency Appoints UWS Graduate as CEO

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Enterprise Seychelles Agency (ESA). Dylis Cedras, who holds an MBA in business management from UWS, has 17 years of experience in the public service, having begun her career in 2008 as a Secondary School Teacher with the Ministry of Education. Before joining the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), serving as Visitor Centre and Sales Manager from 2012 to 2013, Dylis subsequently served as a Business Analyst at the Financial Services Authority between 2014 and 2015. She returned to SIF in 2015, completed her MBA in 2020 at University of the Seychelles and held the position of Sales and Marketing Officer until 2021, advancing to Sales and Marketing Manager from 2021 to 2023....

Alumnus Named Chief Growth Officer at Dalrada

24Nov

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Alumni Stories

Alumnus Named Chief Growth Officer at Dalrada

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been appointed Chief Growth Officer at Dalrada Technology Group. Martin Neill, who graduated from the former University of Paisley (now UWS Paisley Campus), joins Dalrada Technology Group after a successful career in both industry and government. During a 20-year career with the UK Ministry of Defence, Martin rose to the rank of Senior Civil Servant and undertook many challenging leadership positions. Over the course of his career, he gained the unique experience of acting as a senior executive in both the British and American governments. Graduating with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics in 1992, he started his career as a physicist, joining the Ministry of Defence to conduct electro-optical research for the British Army. As a ...

Canadian TEDx Talk Delivered by UWS Alumnus

23Oct

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Alumni Stories

Canadian TEDx Talk Delivered by UWS Alumnus

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has delivered a TEDx talk in Canada on the theme of kindness being a core leadership competency. Robin Young is a Canadian native who studied Commercial Music at UWS Ayr campus as part of the partnership with Harris Institute in Toronto, Canada. Graduating in 2013, he also subsequently completed his MBA at UWS in 2021. At TEDxOshawa his presentation explored how small, compassionate actions can create a powerful ripple effect in personal and professional environments. “Earlier this year, I stepped out of my comfort zone and delivered a talk on leading with kindness,” explained Robin. “In the talk I encourage leaders to pause, reflect and choose kindness in times of stress and negativity, in order to create positive and lasting ch...

Graduate Named in the Top 100 Global Chief Digital Officers

8Aug

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Alumni Stories

Graduate Named in the Top 100 Global Chief Digital Officers

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been named amongst the top 100 Chief Digital Officers (CDO) across the globe. Dr Wajeeha H. Awadh, who is Group CDO at Al Baraka Group in Bahrain, was included in the annual Global CDO 100 award winners that recognise excellence in digital leadership. “I’m thrilled to be named among the Global Top 100 Chief Digital Officers for 2025 by HotTopics,” said Wajeeha. “And honoured to be in the company of such inspiring leaders driving transformation worldwide!” Specialising in project management, fintech, technology management, banking and PMO, Wajeeha graduated from the MSc Project Management programme at UWS Paisley Campus and has been at Al Baraka Group (ABG) for over eight years. Prior to taking the role of Chief Digital Off...

Brothers graduate from the same course with first class degrees

11Jul

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News

Brothers graduate from the same course with first class degrees

A pair of brothers are celebrating their graduation – after both graduating from the same course. Balint and Peter Kaszap-Nagy both graduated from the BSc (Hons) Web and Mobile Development course at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) with a first class degree. Balint, 32, said: “We decided to enrol on the same course because both of us have always been interested in programming and technology, so choosing this course felt like a natural fit. It also gave us an opportunity to develop skills that we knew would be valuable for building something together in the future.” The brothers are originally from Hungary but have lived in Scotland for the past nine years. They found studying at the same time made their university experience more enjoyable. Peter, 36, said: “Studying at...

Sport Graduate Appointed New Head of Performance at Sparta

16Jun

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Alumni Stories

Sport Graduate Appointed New Head of Performance at Sparta

A University of the West of Scotland alumnus has been appointed Head of Performance at AC Sparta Prague. Ian Coll, who graduated from the BSc (Hons) in Sport Coaching from UWS, has joined Sparta’s first team staff under head coach Brian Priske. The 44-year-old Scottish specialist brings extensive experience from clubs such as Celtic FC, Ludogorets Razgrad, and Hajduk Split. Ian commented: “A real honour and pleasure to join AC Sparta Prague, a very proud moment for me personally and a real culture of professionalism and family at the club.” “My time at UWS was the springboard for my current career. I know that the university is growing and expanding the Sport Science degrees to a high level. “Being a lecturer previously at the university, covering the Human Performance module, ...

Alumnus Named in the Top 10 Australian Franchise Executives

29May

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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...

20May

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Alumni Stories, Profiles

Alumni interview: Ian Young

Alumnus Ian Young, now Director of Development at Parkland Communities in the United States, tells us a little about his career, moving from the Highlands to Paisley to study Civil Engineering in 1989. Ian Young BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (1993) Tell us about your time at the University and how a lad from Dingwall ended up in Paisley. I chose Paisley College (now UWS) because the BEng Civil Engineering course allowed work placement. I studied for 6 months and then worked May-August getting real life work experience. I wanted to move south from the Highlands, back then Glasgow was the big city! I had a great time at Paisley. Weather could be rough, but you got used to it and the accommodation was a lot different when I was there, but that was all part of the experience. The f...