28 QMYOU / Development News
GIVING TO QMU
We rely on the generosity of individuals and organisations to assist us in supporting students ’ development and enhancing their opportunities , as well as furthering academic research that will ultimately improve the lives of people in Scotland , the UK and internationally . There are a number of ways that you can support the University but the Martlet Club and our ' Trees of Life ' project are two good examples . Read more about them below .
The Martlet Club for supporters of Queen Margaret University
The Martlet Club exists to acknowledge supporters of QMU who make a donation of £ 120 or more each year , or a monthly donation of £ 10 upwards .
The name is taken from the martlet emblem on the QMU coat of arms . This emblem , which is associated with learning , represents Queen or Saint Margaret , after whom the University is named . As the campus is a haven for wildlife , including swans , ducks , herons and moorhens , the name of the club also reflects the University ’ s commitment to sustainability and to enriching the community .
To join the club , send an email to E : development @ qmu . ac . uk expressing your interest and we will give you full details . Your gift will support the work of QMU , providing relevant teaching and research that makes a real practical impact and transforms people ’ s lives . Funds will be put towards a number of projects , for example allowing students to complete CV-enhancing projects or supporting initiatives focused on using QMU ’ s expertise to the community ’ s advantage .
Vice-Chancellor Award – vital support for current students
QMU is committed to supporting our students , helping them to make the most of the opportunities available and ensuring they have the best possible learning experience during their time here .
The Vice-Chancellor ’ s Fund was set up in 2010 with the sole aim of supporting students who wish to take part in study or research abroad . These overseas projects enrich students ’ academic experience , broaden their horizons and help them to make a real contribution to their field or to serving society ’ s needs . With your help and generosity we have been able to offer part-funding for student trips to destinations as diverse as India , the USA , Australia , Malaysia and the Czech Republic . The Fund has already supported 15 students over the past two years .
In 2013 there have been a further eight awards to part-time and full-time students . One student who was lucky enough to be funded through the 2013 round of awards was Elaam Leung , a level 4 student in BSc ( Hons ) in Occupational Therapy . With the help of the VC Fund , Elaam travelled to Moldova , as part of the SKIP ( Students for Kids International Projects ) Edinburgh team . The team volunteered in an orphanage for disabled boys in Orhei , Moldova for three weeks . Resources and equipment were limited and the boys were living in cramped conditions , with care facilities stretched to one carer per 10 boys and with carers working 24 hour shifts .
Elaam said : “ Due to limited resources and being the only occupational therapy student in my group , creativity was key , and I was always thinking on my feet about how to give a range of therapy to the boys . Another challenge for me was to justify therapy purposes to both group members and the carers , educate them on how to carry out simple therapy and also ask carers to sustain therapy when I left .
“ Upon my return to Scotland , I feel very strongly motivated to raise money for the charity , Bettlyn Moldovan Relief . The charity buys mobility equipment , which in turn helps to raise the standard of care in the orphanage . I also invited SKIP Edinburgh to the Student Occupational Therapy Links Scotland ( SOTLS ) 2013 Conference at QMU . They run a workshop to raise awareness of the project and increase numbers of OT student volunteers .”
Also benefiting from the 2013 awards was David Stevenson , then a PhD student in Cultural Policy . David spent one week at the Centre for Cultural Policy Studies at the Royal School of Library and Information Science in Copenhagen . During his time there he developed a co-authored paper with international academics as well as having the opportunity to network and develop contacts in his field . David also gave two guest lectures . Both were well received by the students and staff in attendance .
David said : “ Two benefits came from these sessions . Firstly they provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my professional development as an educator . Secondly , the head of the Cultural Policy Centre has encouraged me to write up my second presentation and submit it for publication . This had not been a consideration but it took an outside eye to see that I had constructed an case study that would be of interest to an international readership .”
Like the other students who have benefited from the fund , Elaam and David have expressed their gratitude . Elaam said : “ I am extremely grateful to the Vice-Chancellor ' s Fund as financial issues for a full-time student can be a major obstacle in taking part in a project like SKIP . Having received the VC Fund I was able to fully focus and engage in the process ; and to apply and consolidate my OT skills in a setting that I will never come across in the UK . I feel very fortunate to have received this funding . So thank you again for supporting me .”
If you would like further information on the Fund , including details of how to give or how to apply for a grant , see www . qmu . ac . uk / alumni _ and _ friends / VC _ Fund . htm or E : development @ qmu . ac . uk ❒
Generous donation to help students
Dr Frances Dow , CBE , former Vice-Chair of the QMU Court has recently given a gift of £ 4000 to the Vice-Chancellor ’ s Fund . The fund was set up by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Petra Wend with the sole aim of supporting students who wish to take part in study or research abroad .
Dr Dow , a former Dean of Arts and Vice Principal at the University of Edinburgh , served on the Court of QMU for several years . During her time on the Court , >>
28 QMYOU / Development News