By Lindesay M C Irvine , President

Annual General Meeting

Last year , we held a Zoom AGM with a good attendance of 15 plus members and many apologies . Carol Brennan , former Director of the Consumer Dispute Resolution Centre at QMU , and Claire Seaman , Reader within QMU ’ s School of Business , were both welcomed to the Committee . We look forward to gaining from their expertise . Claire is also now Membership Secretary as Sylvia Northcott decided it was time to relax a bit after many years in the role . We have had several new members join us in the last year , so please do encourage QMU friends to become part of the Association ; it is open to all graduates of QMU , as well as current and retired staff .

Graduation and the Atholl Crescent Award 2021

The Atholl Crescent Award was offered within QMU ’ s School of Health Sciences , and we were pleased to award it to Jacob Beckett , a Podiatry student . I was delighted to attend one of the many graduation events held on campus in July , and to meet graduates and staff from all areas of the University . There was sunshine on all three graduation days , and it was marvellous to see so many students with their families being able to celebrate this important milestone in the grounds of the University .

QMU events

I was pleased to lay a wreath of behalf of the Graduates ’ Association at the Universities ’ Joint Remembrance Day Service on 14th November in Old College , Edinburgh . This was my first official event since being elected President and it was lovely to be part of this small but moving commemorative occasion .

Socialising ( during COVID-19 )

Since our last QMYou update we have continued with very successful Zoom coffee get-togethers , although these finish in June and restart in October . As many members from other parts of the UK were keen to stay involved , we are now trialling alternate face-face and Zoom meetings . Keep a look out for the email details . Our first face-to-face social gathering was in Le Bistrot on George IV Bridge in November and it was fabulous to see people again , with some new faces joining us . Once again , we were excited to have our Christmas lunch provided by QMU ’ s hospitality students . We are planning to try out several venues for coffee over the next few months and are looking forward to our March dinner event . Finally , we are in the process of putting together some social events with suggestions including : Visit to the Japanese Garden in Dollar ; Tour of Sculpture Gallery ; and Visit to the Queen Charlotte Rooms .

Please send any ideas you may have for future GA social events to me at : E : president @ qmuga . org . uk or Cecilia Young at E : social @ qmuga . org . uk ❒

QMUGA Christmas Lunch 2021