Edinburgh Napier University – The NEN

Edinburgh well represented at Scottish Muslim Awards

Edinburgh is well represented at this year’s Scottish Muslim Awards. Among the capital’s shortlisted nominees are:

Mick Napier from Edinburgh

He is nominated for non-Muslim supporting Muslims

Mick Napier In 2000, at the start of the Palestinian Intifada, Mick co-founded the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC), driven by outrage over the Israeli army’s admission of firing one million bullets at unarmed Palestinian demonstrators during the uprising.

Since then, SPSC has been tirelessly campaigning to support the Palestinian call for boycotts and isolation of the Israeli regime and its international supporters. Currently, Mick and SPSC are focused on pressuring the Scottish Government to recognize the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Palestine.

They organize across Scotland and work with international partners to oppose the regime’s genocidal plans to erase Palestinian presence, including the destruction of the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Over the past two decades, during every major Israeli offensive, Mick has faced and successfully defeated criminal charges ranging from racism and terrorism to violent assault. Despite a conviction for organizing protests without paperwork, Mick remains undeterred. Mick has three children and two granddaughters, who are both keen to make Mick a great-grandparent.

Amir Hussain, Napier University, Edinburgh

Nominated for innovation

Amir Hussain is a distinguished academic and researcher with extensive experience in the fields of AI and robotics. He earned his B.Eng. (Highest 1st Class Honours with Distinction) and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Strathclyde in 1992 and 1997, respectively. Following postdoctoral and academic roles at various institutions, including the University of West of Scotland, University of Dundee, and University of Stirling, he joined Edinburgh Napier University in 2018 as a Chair Professor in the School of Computing.

Hussain is the founding Director of the Centre for AI and Robotics (CAIR) and leads the Trustworthy Data Science and Cyber Analytics Research Group. He holds several Visiting Professorships, including at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. He also serves as Turing Academic Lead for the University Network of the Alan Turing Institute and advises on AI strategy internationally, including for Kuwait’s National AI Strategy.

Amana Food, Edinburgh

Nominated for the business award.

Amana Food Products Company, founded in Scotland in 2019, is a pioneering example of Palestinian entrepreneurship abroad.

The company aims to support the Palestinian economy by purchasing directly from small farmers, ensuring fair income and sustainability. By importing high-quality products like dates, olive oil, and thyme, Amana has introduced Palestinian goods to British markets, making them strong competitors globally.

More than a business, Amana’s strategy focuses on uplifting Palestinian families and farmers, providing access to international markets that would otherwise be unreachable. This commitment to social responsibility, combined with business success, showcases how companies can blend profit with purpose.

Amana serves as an inspiring model, demonstrating that values-driven entrepreneurship can foster sustainable development and positively impact Palestinian society, while promoting Palestinian products on the global stage.

The Scottish Muslim Awards winners will be announced at an event in the Glasgow Hilton on 29 September.

Students complete European first build of bamboo structure

Students complete ‘European first’ build of innovative bamboo structure
The design could be used to create sustainable large span roofs in future

A project to build Europe’s first bamboo-timber composite gridshell at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has been successfully completed.

The 9×8 metre structure was put up in just four days by a team of 31 visiting students from the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) in an engineering lab at ENU’s Merchiston campus.

The team used cutting-edge design and construction methods, including augmented reality technology to visualise the plans in real time.

Project leaders hope to now replicate it at a larger scale, allowing researchers to investigate the use of bamboo-timber gridshells as a sustainable building design, and to train construction professionals.

Known for their structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal, gridshells are curved, shell-like structures made from an interconnected grid pattern.

Experts believe their design – which makes the most of bamboo’s strengths as a sustainable building material – could be used to create large-span roofs.

This latest effort follows the construction of a similar structure in China by a team of ENU students last year.

Professor Johnson Zhang, Head of international for Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment, led the project. He said: “The construction has gone really well. The last time we did something like this in China it took a month – so it has taken a huge effort to get it all done in four days.

“We were delighted to welcome the students to Edinburgh for the project. They have all learned a lot from the process, as have we.

“Using the technology allowed us to monitor the construction, so we could make changes and corrections in real time during the build. It has huge potential in the industry.

“It’s the first time something like this has been done in Europe, and we’re hoping to create an even bigger gridshell here in future.

“We first demonstrated the idea behind bamboo-timber gridshells at COP26 in Glasgow, and this is another step in the journey to realise its potential.”

As well as ENU and THEi, the project backed by the Construction Industry Council of Hong Kong and the British Council, alongside partners: Built Environment – Smarter Transformation, Xylotek – Advanced Timber, Glenalmond Timber, and Intelligent Wood Systems.

A group of academics from the Department of Architecture of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology (IMUST) also came to Edinburgh to support the construction.

The finished structure was shown off during a closing ceremony for visiting partners at Merchiston. Plans are underway to develop bamboo-timber gridshell technology further at Edinburgh Napier University.

Edinburgh Napier’s International College officially opened

The partnership between ENU and Oxford International Education Group offers a route into degree courses

Edinburgh Napier University International College (ENUIC) has been formally opened with a ceremony at the University’s Merchiston campus.

The College, which welcomed its first students in January, was set up in collaboration with Oxford International Education Group (OIEG) to offer students from around the world a new route to studying at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).

It provides successful applicants with teaching in areas such as English language, academic purpose, and subject knowledge skills – which gives them access to existing ENU courses.

More than 200 people have begun their studies at ENUIC this year, with more expected to arrive in the coming months. ENUIC students are fully integrated into Edinburgh Napier campus life from day one, with access to support services and facilities.

The official opening ceremony was held at Merchiston on Tuesday [9 July], with ENUIC students joining representatives from ENU and OIEG to cut the ribbon at the College’s base.

Speaking at the event, June Boyle, ENU Chair of Court, said: “I am very proud of Edinburgh Napier’s impressive history of global engagement and the role internationalisation plays in our future strategy.

“Having the International College based here at Merchiston, our most central campus and the birthplace of our namesake mathematician John Napier, highlights how integrated our International College students are from their very first day with us.

“Our international students make a significant contribution to the vibrancy of our campuses, and we are committed to supporting their success and enhancing their experience.

“It is my strong belief that the International College will further promote this diversity and enrich the Edinburgh Napier experience for all our community members, present and future.”

Lil Bremermann-Richard, OIEG Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We were delighted to celebrate the inauguration of the International College at Edinburgh Napier University. Together we have now welcomed three cohorts of international students, expanding learning opportunities for students, while also helping enhance the University’s global presence.

“At Oxford International we take pride in and are committed to delivering a seamless recruitment and learning experience for students, with quality and student outcomes being our priority.

“We are excited to see our students learn, grow and flourish and we hope that our programmes will provide a transformative and rewarding experience for them, as they have done for thousands of students before them.”

Couple travel from Barbados to Edinburgh to graduate together

Sheldon and Cathy Ann Layne have been studying for their MBA at Edinburgh Napier University

A married couple from Barbados have proved a formidable partnership, after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) at the same time.

Sheldon and Cathy Ann Layne decided to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at ENU in 2020, and have now completed the course online alongside their work in risk management.

The husband and wife travelled from their home in Bridgetown to join Business School students and cross the stage during a graduation ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall yesterday [July 4].

Their small study group was bolstered by close friend and work colleague Jennifer Simone Davis-Adesegha, who graduated from the course last year.

Reflecting on their journey, 46-year-old Sheldon said: “Studying together was interesting at times! They call me ‘Mr By-The-Book’ – I don’t like anything to compromise our studies.

“We always wanted to do something which would advance our careers academically. Being able to offer each other encouragement was a big help.”

Cathy Ann, who is 45, said: “We definitely have varying perspectives and individual study patterns – I’m a morning person and Sheldon isn’t, for example!

“This was our first time studying a major course online, which took some time to adapt to, but we got there.

“We all work for the same institution, so it was difficult to find time for study sessions during the week. We ended up doing a lot of group sessions on Saturdays.”

The MBA programme at Edinburgh Napier University is a postgraduate qualification which is designed to build on students’ work experience and develop skills like leadership, problem solving and business theory.

For Sheldon and Cathy Ann their graduation marks the end of a rewarding journey, which included a short spell having to self-isolate in a UK hotel during the Covid pandemic.

Sheldon added: “If one of us wasn’t feeling up to studying, we would push each other to stay on track.

“We’re grateful that we could study at our own pace. We had good support, with very responsive lecturers.”

New mum celebrates graduation with three-week-old daughter

Patrycja Cwalina has completed her accounting degree at Edinburgh Napier University

A new mum has two reasons to celebrate her Edinburgh Napier University graduation – picking up her degree just three weeks after giving birth to her baby daughter!

Student Patrycja Cwalina welcomed her first child, Lydia, into the world on 13 June, and arrived back home in time to discover she had successfully completed her Accounting degree.

Three-week-old Lydia, along with Patrycja’s partner Ryan, was able to celebrate her mum’s achievement at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today [4 July].

For the 24-year-old, who moved from Lubin in Poland to Edinburgh nearly a decade ago, it marks the end of a whirlwind final year at ENU.

She said: “It was a little bit challenging. Thankfully I didn’t have much morning sickness, but the first three months of my pregnancy did come at the same time as exams!”

“It was stressful, but Lydia made it easy for me.

“I’m so proud of myself that I managed to finish my studies while being pregnant and working.

“I feel like this is my biggest achievement and as hard as it was, I’m really happy I got to experience my final year with my daughter in my womb.

“She gave me strength and I wanted to do the best for her to have better future.”

Patrycja joined hundreds of peers from The Business School at Edinburgh Napier University in celebrating the completion of their studies at the Usher Hall today.

Now she is planning to turn her attention to settling in as a family, with a new graduate job on the horizon.

She added: “I did a placement which led to a job offer, which I’ll start in September.

“That’s what kept me motivated during my final year – that I’d have a few months to enjoy with Lydia, then I can start work.

“I picked Edinburgh Napier because of the enthusiasm of the lecturers – you can tell that they really care about what they’re doing.

“I have had such a great experience here.”

First students complete pioneering football coaching degree

The first group of students from a trailblazing football coaching degree – delivered by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) and the Scottish Football Association – have celebrated their graduation. The first group of Football Coaching, Performance and Development graduates posing outside the Usher Hall

The first degree of its kind in Scotland, the Football Coaching, Performance and Development BSc Honours programme launched in 2020.

Following four years of study, which included teaching for UEFA and Scottish FA qualifications alongside skills such as performance analysis, sport science, and leadership, fifteen students have completed the course.

They joined fellow students from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences in collecting their degrees during a graduation ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today.

New graduates from the course have spoken with pride on difference the course has made to their fledgling careers in the game.

Ewan McLevy, who is now working as an academy coach at Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, is among them.

The 24-year-old from Troon said: “I look at back at the course with fond memories, it was excellent.

“We came in in September 2020 and we were a brand new group. There was a bit of trial and error as we got used it.

“After a couple of months, I caught the bug and never looked back. Football Coaching, Performance and Development graduates outside the Usher Hall

“The beauty of the course is that it touched on the things you might not consider, like psychology, analysis and sports science. I think I speak for all the group when I say it was a real eye-opener.

“The lecturers were amazing and really helped us understand it all. They took examples from other sports, which helped it all come together.

“I couldn’t recommend the programme any higher. For someone starting on the pathway, given the links with the Scottish FA, it couldn’t give you a better opportunity.

“If football is your passion, it will open doors.”

Fellow graduate Aidan Spalding, who’s also 24 years old and from Glasgow, has recently started working as a first team analyst at Hamilton Academical. He said: “I’m gutted to leave to be honest! The four years have been unreal – I’ve loved it.

“Having that one interest of working in football all the time has made us really close as a group.

“It was very well rounded and gave us a chance to learn about other sides of the game.

“Without this I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get a full-time analysis job – or have had experiences like going away with Scotland Women’s development teams.

“If you enjoy football, the course is for you. It will take your coaching to the next level.”

Dr Cedric English speaking to students in a gym hall at Edinburgh Napier University

Dr Cedric English, Programme Leader and Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “We were pretty excited to see the Scottish FA put out a tender for developing a degree programme that linked in a lot of their licences, so we put in an application and we were successful.

“That was the beginning of the process, six years ago, and it took us time to work out how we would incorporate the licences in because that’s the uniqueness of the collaboration.

“It’s a great feeling to now see the hard work coming to fruition and I would echo the congratulations to the students who have worked incredibly hard to get to this point.”

Prospective students can find out more about the BSc (Hons) Football Coaching, Performance and Development, which offers a holistic view of coaching within a football setting, here.

Pictured top: Football Coaching graduates outside the Usher Hall with their degrees

Middle: The group with Ewan McLevy (left) and Aidan Spalding (right) in front

Bottom: Dr Cedric English speaking at the introduction to the programme in 2020

Edinburgh Napier University celebrates its biggest graduation

One of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, Shakespeare’s on Lothian Road, has been transformed in to The Napier Graduate once again to celebrate the University’s class of ’24.

More than 2,700 students and 9,000 guests will descend on the Usher Hall in Edinburgh to attend seven graduation ceremonies over the course of three days. The unique public house, The Napier Graduate, will play host to celebrating graduates before and after each ceremony where they will have the chance to toast their success with a pint of Edinburgh Napier’s very own ale, ‘Must Be Napier’.

The ‘Must Be Napier’ ale is a nod to Edinburgh Napier University’s award-winning brand campaign that is shining a spotlight on the achievements and major contributions to society of the University’s students, staff, and alumni.

For three days, from Wednesday 3 July to Friday 5July, Shakespeare’s will be known as The Napier Graduate. Unmissable from Lothian Road, the pub has been completely reimagined in Napier’s distinctive red and white colour palatte, changing everything from the outdoor signs to the beermats, the artwork and even the beer taps in celebration of the new alumni and providing a welcoming space to enjoy with families and loved ones.

Edinburgh Napier University was recently awarded Higher Educational Institution of the Year at the 2024 Herald Higher Education Awards and is known for celebrating its graduates in unique ways.

From first launching the pub last year to when the University held a city takeover in 2021, displaying the names of graduates across 18 billboards, 100 bus stops, an Edinburgh Tram and a taxi.

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Celebrating our graduates is one of the highlights of the academic year and we had such a positive response to The Napier Graduate pub last year that we just simply had to bring it back again for the class of ’24.

“The now iconic Napier Graduate pub is a wonderful space for our new alumni and their guests to celebrate their success and contemplate the next chapter after university. I look forward to raising a glass to toast their future.”

Flo McMahon, General Manager of Shakespeare’s, said: “We’re really excited to transform into The Napier Graduate again this year.

“It is such a special time for both the staff and the wider community. Everyone gets caught up in the celebratory nature of the graduation days and we love being a part of that special moment.

“A record number of people visited us during last year’s graduations so we’ve made sure the bar is fully stocked!”

The Napier Graduate is open from Wednesday 3 – Friday 5 July at 65 Lothian Road.

Typography Trails aims to show Edinburgh through a new lens

Degree Show project encourages rediscovery of city’s history

From the Castle and cobbles of the Royal Mile to its secret underground streets, Edinburgh’s heritage and history is known worldwide. But what could be learnt from looking a little closer?

An Edinburgh Napier graphic design student is encouraging people to explore Edinburgh through a new lens by taking a closer look at what has been a mainstay of its streets for generations – its typography.

Fourth year graphic design student Rosa Marshall has unveiled her final year project – Type Revival Edinburgh – this week at the University’s annual Degree Show at Merchiston campus.

With an aim of encouraging tourists and design enthusiasts to visit lesser-known parts of the city, Rosa has created two type trail publications, one each for the New Town and Old Town areas, that contain a map and guided tour of historic and traditionally crafted lettering which adorn streets and buildings in both areas.

The trails take in numerous stone inscriptions and ghost signs as well as present-day examples of signwriting. The publications delve into Edinburgh’s past and allows the user to learn more about wayfinding, street signs, shop signs, graveyard inscriptions and more from years gone by.

Users are also encouraged to take typographic rubbings as they move around the trail to truly appreciate the variety of letting styles and sizes that appear.

Rosa’s fascination with typography and lettering has grown throughout her time at University after initially being peaked during a work trip to Malawi last year.

She explains: “I work for a charity in Edinburgh and I was lucky enough to be able to visit Malawi in June last year. While I was there, I was struck by the prevalence of signwriting and hand lettering.

“I saw loads of examples of, at times, really intricate hand-made signage, each of which had an individual charm, and the idea for my major project was born.

“When I was back in Edinburgh, I started noticing examples throughout the Old Town and New Town and found that both areas are distinctively different from each other. I developed the idea of a zine that helps people who are interested in typography to firstly explore the area, and also to learn more about the history behind the streets, buildings and locations that these signs appear on and in.

“One of my favourite discoveries is a ghost sign on Lynedoch Place in the New Town that has been almost revealed behind layers of concrete as well as some of the medieval inscriptions from the 1590s in the Old Town – there really is so much variety and history to be told just from noticing things as you walk through both areas.

“It’s been a really fun project to work on. It’s got me outside and it’s got me really interested in typography. I’ve done some signwriting workshops as a result and I would really love to bring some sort of typography festival to Edinburgh in the future too.

“There’s so much more left to discover in Edinburgh and so many more stories to learn and share. I feel like I’m just getting started.”

You can learn more about Rosa’s project and others at Edinburgh Napier’s Degree Show which takes place at Merchiston campus from 24-30 May.

Ancestry event gives opportunity to research family links within nursing and midwifery

Attendees can learn more about family history research from a range of experts

A unique event that will give participants the chance to research family ancestry within nursing and midwifery is to take place in Edinburgh next month.

Hosted by Edinburgh Napier University, The Royal College of Nursing and the National Library of Scotland, the event will give attendees the chance to research a nurse or midwife of any era who worked in any setting – hospital, community, asylums, industry, prisons, military – under the watchful eye of a range of experts.

The event will feature a number of short presentations, including introductions to family history research from researchers and archivists as well as opportunities to learn about online searching.

There will be a chance for attendees to ask questions and get guidance on how find to find out more about their nursing or midwifery ancestors.

Those attending are invited to bring along a photo, or other small memento, of the person(s) they are interested in finding out more about and would be happy to show on the day.

The event – which will take place at the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge Edinburgh from 10am-4pm on 5 June – will welcome a number of guest speakers and contributors:

Teresa Doherty: Joint Head of Library & Archives and RCN Professional Lead for History of Nursing who will talk about nurse registration and how to access nurse registers.
Nicola Ring: Professor of Nursing and Nessa McHugh Midwifery Lecturer at ENU will talk about their experiences of finding 19th century nurses and midwives and searching for early nurses and midwives accused of Witchcraft in 16-17th Century Scotland.
Sana Bilgrani: Film Lecturer at ENU who has researched nurses in her family history and produced a film about her search.
Lucy Church, Dora Petherbridge and Patrick Hart: Will talk about how the National Library of Scotland and its collections and resources can help people find their family histories.
Rosie Al-Mulla: NHS Forth Valley Archivist, University of Stirling who will talk about using NHS archives to find nurses and midwives.

Chair of the RCN History of Nursing Forum Dianne Yarwood said: “It’s not unusual to hear people say: ‘Oh yes, my great gran was a hospital nurse, or my uncle worked as a mental health nurse.’ Often, they would like to know more about this person’s nursing career but have no idea where, or how, to start searching.

“Do join us for this exciting, informative one day event and learn how to find that elusive ancestor. You will meet experts, gain advice and guidance and leave with the knowledge and confidence to find that nurse or midwife of yesterday.”

Those attending will be given notebooks, pens, and lunch free of charge.

To sign up to this in-person event, please follow the link:

https://tinyurl.com/NMFamilyHistory

People interested in attending who require disability adjustments on the day, should contact CMHPPLR@napier.ac.uk

Those on low income and not entitled to free bus travel, may be eligible for some travel compensation. Please contact: CMHPPLR@napier.ac.uk

Clean heating and energy efficiency grants to get to Net Zero

£11 million grant funding confirmed for public sector bodies

Leisure centres, schools and university campuses will be transformed by a government fund designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of public sector properties, the Scottish Government announced yesterday.

The University of Edinburgh, Fife Council and Edinburgh Napier University are among the first seven projects to share grants for clean heating and energy efficiency improvements totalling £11 million from the £20 million Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund.

The funding, to support the ambition to reach net zero by 2045, is the first time direct grant awards have been made to public sector bodies instead of loans.

A recent Scottish Government consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill asked for views on a possible requirement for all buildings owned by a Scottish public authority to move to clean heating systems by the end of 2038. There are currently around 23,000 buildings in public ownership.

Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie (well, he was until this morning, anyway – Ed.) said: “Heat from our homes and buildings is responsible for around a fifth of Scotland’s overall emissions so there is no route to delivering Net Zero by 2045 without tackling this.

“Not just our homes but our schools, universities, offices, hospitals and libraries also need to improve their energy efficiency and make the move to clean heating.

“We are absolutely committed to addressing Scotland’s reliance on direct emission heating systems that produce greenhouse gas emissions when we use them, which is why we have consulted on ambitious proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill which we intend to bring forward during the current Parliament.

“We have made clear that we want all public sector buildings to have moved to clean heat by the end of 2038. We expect the public sector to demonstrate leadership in this area and I am therefore very pleased to be able to confirm these first awards from the Fund. Further awards will be confirmed shortly.”

The funding is part of £200 million already committed to the public sector for energy efficiency and renewable heating over the next five years – part of the wider plan to spend £1.8 billion during the current parliamentary session on decarbonising Scotland’s buildings.

The University of Edinburgh will receive £2.08m to support the reduction of heat demand at its King’s Buildings campus, home to the College of Science and Engineering, including through fabric insulation and pipework insulation upgrades.

The project will also take steps towards the decarbonisation of heat supply. A heat recovery pump will recycle waste heat from one of the University’s data centres and upgrade it for use within a local district heating network.

Catherine Martin, Vice Principal Corporate Services, University of Edinburgh said: “The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges we are facing.

“The University of Edinburgh has a clear commitment to take positive action to address our impact on the climate and ultimately reach our institutional goal of being net zero by 2040.

“We need a coordinated approach to these activities and the funding from the Scottish Government will support our efforts to generate solutions and sustainably adapt the way we operate.”

Grants have been confirmed for the following projects:

Recipient	Grant awarded	Project
University of Edinburgh	£2,079,459	King’s Buildings campus – to support the reduction of heat demand and take steps towards decarbonisation of heat
Fife Council	£2,404,911	St Andrew’s RC High School and Beacon Leisure Centre – installation of a combination of air-to-water heat pumps and water source heat pumps as the primary heat source for both, plus heat demand reductions at St Andrew’s RC High School
Scotland’s Rural College	£387,130	Barony Campus, Dumfries – retrofitting insulation including on the grade II listed Kirkmichael House
Perth & Kinross Council	£324,546	Auchtergaven Primary School, Bankfoot – upgrading the existing heating supply via the installation of two air source heat pumps and the installation of a building management system
North Lanarkshire Council	£2,345,176.00	Strathclyde Park Watersports Centre – whole building retrofit, redesign and extension as part of revelopment into Net Zero Health Hub
Edinburgh Napier University	£1,241,966.00	BE-ST A Lab – Removal of gas-based fossil fuel heating system as part of retrofit including Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, a sustainable innovative curtain wall system, a solar PV integrated roof system and a sustainable LED ready lighting control system
Dumfries and Galloway Council	£2,500,000	Dumfries Ice Bowl – replacement of the mains gas system with a low emission water source heat pump with heat recapture technology to allow heat generated from the refrigeration system to be recovered, plus energy efficiency measures