QMYOU Alumni Magazine Issue 85 | Page 28

Thorben Grosser BA (Hons) Event Management (2008 – 2012) O RIGINALLY FROM LUXEMBOURG, Thorben came to QMU due to its international reputation for the study of planned events. Whilst studying at QMU, he attended the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), a professional events management conference in the USA. This provided him with outstanding learning opportunities and the chance to network with important industry professionals. Thorben also did an exchange in Canada, benefitting greatly from working in a multinational environment. During his degree, Thorben took part in an international PCMA event. This led to an outstanding job offer with EventMobi, a revolutionary event management application technology company, which aims to change the way attendees engage at live events. EventMobi now serves clients in 75 countries. Thorben heads up the company’s European office from its base in Berlin. Thorben said:“I am passionate about helping QMU event management students reap the benefits of attending international conferences. I have been pleased to provide financial support for student networking dinners, which help facilitate important opportunities for students to converse with industry professionals. I stay connected with QMU by taking part in alumni reunions and acting as a facilitator and keynote speaker.” In 2017, Thorben was awarded an Outstanding Alumni Award for his contributions to QMU. ❒ Samantha Hamilton BA (Hons) Tourism Management (2007 – 2010) then MBA Hospitality (2013-2015) S AMANTHA HAS DEVELOPED her career with Dakota, a unique, award- winning UK boutique hotel brand. Now Group HR Manager, she has spent several years focusing on recruitment and talent development and is helping to identify and nurture future leaders who can advance Scotland’s hospitality sector. Speaking of her MBA, Samantha, who is from Fife, said: “Returning to study my MBA whilst working in industry really heighted all of my theoretical learning. I also benefit greatly from being given the autonomy to challenge the way we do things and explore ways to improve our operation at Dakota as we continue our expansion throughout the UK.” Samantha has stayed connected with QMU by working with the University’s staff to develop internships and scholarships for current students of the BA/BA (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism programme. In this way, she is supporting QMU and the emerging generation of hospitality leaders. ❒ Rose and Carol Tibi MSc Global Health 28 QMYOU / Where Are You Now? W hen Rose Tibi and her daughter, Carol, fled the civil war in Sudan in the 1980s, no one would have guessed that Carol would follow in her mother’s footsteps by studying with QMU’s Institute for Global Health & Development (IGHD).. As a former nurse in Sudan, Rose completed two courses with IGHD – enrolling in 1993 in the MSc International Health and later on a health visiting course. Since graduating, Rose has worked as a health visitor at various locations around Edinburgh, setting up local community groups for new parents. Her studies in global health also influenced her to work with local groups like Shakti Women’s Aid, a charity which fights against domestic violence within black ethnic minority groups, and the Minority Ethnic Health Inclusion Service (MEHIS), part of NHS Lothian. A current student with QMU, one of Carol’s modules is Psychosocial Interventions for Displaced Populations. This module focuses on mental health care support for people who are forced to move due to persecution, conflict and natural or man-made disasters. The module is studied completely online – something that was not available when her mother, Rose, was studying at QMU. Carol added: “My future aim is to work with refugees and vulnerable people, who are often marginalised in developing and developed countries. I feel, more than ever, there is a need for sustainability and effective resettlement programmes in communities to allow refugees to rebuild their lives.” ❒