QMYOU Where / Development are you now News ? 27
Has the Masters helped you get to where you are today ?
Absolutely ! First of all , the work placement module was key to me getting my job with the RSNO . Whilst my placement was in a different department at the RSNO , I was able to become familiar with the organisation and its values , which helped during the interview stages . I also had an in-house referee !
The style and thoroughness of the Masters course also appealed to my current employers - they liked the way the course trained me to think critically and question things , which they recognised as a quality I could bring to the job . For the RSNO , having someone with up-to-date teaching on current affairs in the sector was also attractive and the contacts that I had gained during the course could be potentially valuable to them .
Tips for current QMU students ?
The QMU teaching staff are very experienced and are extremely knowledgeable about their sectors so make the most of them . Listen to the advice they give , ask for help if you need it and take opportunities to meet with your personal tutor . Some of the most valuable conversations I had were with my personal tutor , who helped me improve my CV and gave me advice on how to get a good work placement . But don ' t rely on the staff too much , be proactive , go to them with ideas and questions . The more effort you put in , the more you are likely to get out of the course . ❒
Donation helps Gastronomy students take part in international food festivals
ALUMNA ELIZABETH SALVESEN from Edinburgh has made a donation to QMU which will enable students on the MSc Gastronomy course to attend one of the most significant food festivals in the world .
The generous donation of £ 25,000 will support students to travel to , and take part in , Terra Madre / Salone del Gusto ( TM / SdG ) The five day event , held in Milan , is a biennial international gathering of producers , chefs , eaters , politicians , activists and anyone who cares about food and the land it comes from . Attracting over 250,000 people , the unique event is a celebration of the people , environment and culture that creates our food . In alternative years , the fund will enable student participation in ‘ Cheese ’, the world ’ s largest cheese festival , which is very similar in philosophy to Terra Madre / Salone del Gusto .
An essential component of the MSc Gastronomy is engaging students in the field . These invaluable field trips expose our students to the realities of farming , factories , hospitality , community initiatives and much more . Within the course , no field trip is more profound and important than that of Terra Madre / Salone de Gusto .
The £ 25,000 donation will develop ‘ The Elizabeth Salvesen and QMU MSc Gastronomy Annual Field Trip ’. The fund will run for a total of five years and the yearly donation of £ 5,000 will enable the QMU MSc Gastronomy team to build the annual field trip to Terra Madre or the Cheese festival into the course ’ s academic calendar . The funding will be used to cover all event admission , and significantly subsidise accommodation and flights , thereby making it affordable for students regardless of their financial means .
Professor Alan Gilloran , Deputy Principal of QMU said : “ We are passionate about helping students enhance their learning experience by travelling abroad and experiencing important conferences and cultural events . However , often students are unable to take part in international travel due to financial costs .”
He continued : “ The opportunity to take part in festivals such as Terra Madre provides an outstanding opportunity for our students to develop their understanding of international food cultures and political perspectives . These experiences have the ability , not only to enhance student learning , but to heavily influence career pathways for our students . The outcome of taking part in such events could indeed be life changing . Students will also be able to share the international knowledge they have gained on their return to Scotland . We are extremely grateful to Elizabeth Salvesen for the positive impact that her donation will have on our students .” ❒
QMYOU Where / Development are you now News ? 27