Santander
Universities support
celebrated
I
N NOVEMBER, OVER 50 guests attended a special event
on campus to celebrate the partnership between QMU
and Santander Universities UK, and to thank Santander
for their generous support over the last 12 months.
Crerar Hotels bursary
makes the university
dream a reality for
two QMU students
The event also allowed Santander Universities Director,
Matt Hutnell and other senior members of the Santander
team to hear first-hand how much their support has had a
transformational effect on the lives of our students, graduates
and local communities.
The significant financial support that QMU receives from
Santander enables us to make higher education more
accessible, provide our students with the means to travel
and study abroad, encourage student and graduate
entrepreneurship and enhance employability prospects for our
students and graduates.
The funding also allows us to develop links with local
communities and supports a number of outreach and
community engagement projects including a week-long
summer school programme for local Primary 6 and Primary
7 school children, and awards for local charities in which our
students volunteer.
Guests at the reception included recipients of widening
access bursaries and continuing student scholarships, students
who benefitted from mobility funding, students, graduates and
local businesses who recently participated in the Santander
Universities SME Internship Programme, local charities who
received Community Awards, children who took part in last
year’s QMU Summer School, and student and gradate start-
ups who have benefitted from entrepreneurship funding.
At the event, first year BA Hons Nursing student and young
carer, Aleena McMonaigle, described how the Santander
Universities bursary that she will receive over the next four
years has made her university dreams possible,
“Nursing is something that I have always wanted to do from
a young age after helping my Mum care for my father who is
disabled.
I love being a student nurse but it is challenging. I am either in
class, out on placements or studying, and this commitment –
along with my caring responsibilities – leaves no time for a part-
time job, which I would otherwise need to help with the costs
of studying such as transport, books and other equipment.
This is why I am so incredibly grateful for the financial support
that I receive. It allows me to reach my potential as a student
nurse and also care for my Dad and support my Mum with my
younger siblings without having financial worries.”
Sir Paul Grice, QMU Principal said,
“Santander’s commitment to QMU, and more widely to Higher
Education in the UK and around the world, is simply remarkable.
The support that QMU receives from Santander has such a
positive effect on student experience, the University and our
local communities.
It’s inspiring and motivating to hear how Santander has
helped our students and graduates fulfill their potential by
either accessing education, completing paid internships that
are relevant to their studies and chosen career paths, or turning
their business ideas into a reality. “ ❒
T
WO QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY (QMU) students
have received bursaries that will allow them to pursue
their careers goals in the hospitality industry.
Callum Taylor and Sabrina Mitchell, both studying towards a
BA (Hons) in International Hospitality and Tourism Management,
were the recipients of the 2019 Crerar Trust UG Access Bursaries.
This is the third year in which these bursaries, made possible
through the generous donations of The Crerar Hotels Trust, have
been awarded to QMU students. The awards allow those who
have the ability and potential, yet may not have the financial means
to take up a place at QMU, achieve their academic and career
goals by alleviating some of the financial pressures associated
with full-time study.
The bursaries will support Callum and Sabrina over the four
years of their degree programme. Both students had already
experienced working in the hospitality industry prior to starting
the course: “I discovered my passion for hospitality when I began
working at the Prestonfield Hotel at the age of 16, as well as
taking a part-time course in hospitality and events at Edinburgh
College, which was partnered by QMU” said Sabrina. She added
that “the bursary will help me balance work and study, so I’ll have
more time to focus on passing my assessments and exams to
the best of my abilities and achieving my goals.”
Callum was born and raised in the Scottish Highlands, a region
that is economically reliant on the hospitality industry. He said:
“Coming from a difficult family environment, I felt that it was
highly unlikely that I would have the grades to go to university.
However, I was very fortunate to get a job at the Mackays Hotel
in Strathpeffer, and from there I was able to gain an SCQF level
8 in Hospitality Management.
"The bursary from The Crerar Hotels Trust has been a significant
help, especially with some of the costs of living away from home.
"The financial support also means that I can work less hours in
my part-time job whilst I’m studying, allowing me to concentrate
on my education with the goal of gaining my degree with good
grades.”” ❒
QMYOU / Supporting Student Development
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