Principal’s Introduction
Once again, we are delighted to share with you some
exciting news about our students, graduates, staff
and university initiatives.
We are totally committed to enhancing the student
experience and helping develop students who are job
ready. In order to achieve this we have an incredible
range of opportunities which help students develop their
skills and confidence throughout their time at university.
This includes scholarships, awards, internships,
mentoring and community engagement opportunities.
You can read about our Saltire Scholarship recipient
(page 32), other award winners in our Development
section (pages 24 - 25) and also find out how our
podiatry students have used healthcare skills acquired
at QMU to help refugees in the Calais migrant camps
(page 19).
We encourage our students to support community
projects and this summer our Costume Design and
Construction students were commissioned to produce
a suite of spectacular costumes for a local ancient
ceremony which is staged every 21 years. Find out how
our students, staff and graduates contributed to the
Musselburgh Riding of the Marches (page 6), and view
some of the beautiful costumes which took centre stage
in the event finale (page 14 – 17).
We are always inspired by the work of graduates from
our Institute for Global Health and Development. Many
use the skills developed during their postgraduate
courses to shape policies, improve healthcare systems
and impact positively on the lives of communities both
at home and internationally. We are delighted that
Eunice Sinyemu, a Social Development and Health
graduate and advocate for human rights, is sharing her
career story with us. Eunice became a national voice
for people with HIV around the time when Scotland
began receiving a lot of Africans. Now based in Zambia,
she has worked tirelessly for many years to improve
healthcare for African’s with HIV and AIDS in the UK and
in Africa (page 23).
An untreated communication disorder at any stage in
life can cause devastating and isolating effects on the
well-being of an individual, affecting their family and
social relationships, educational potential, career, and
sense of self-worth. Our Clinical Audiology, Speech and
Language Research Centre is recognised internationally
for the quality of its research which ultimately aims to
improve the lives of adults and children with speech
sound disorders. A wonderful example of the impact of
our pioneering speech research is clearly demonstrated
on page 20 and 21. Find out how our UltraPhonix project
is using ultrasound technology to help youngsters find
their voices.
Please continue to stay connected to QMU. If you are
a graduate, you may consider sharing your career story
with our Alumni Office or mentoring a student. Other
ways for people to engage and support QMU are by
funding a student scholarship or award, donating a tree
to be planted at the University, providing an internship,
supporting research or donating to the Student Fund.
You can remember us in your will or you may just like to
join one of our taste panels run by the Centre for Food
Development and Innovation.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Professor Petra Wend, PhD, FRSA, FRSE
Principal and Vice Chancellor
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
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QMYOU / Principal’s Introduction
Mystical costume created
by Costume Design and
Construction students