Tag: Edinburgh Napier University

ENU student Sophia travels to celebrate graduation following recovery from colon cancer

A resilient Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student has celebrated her graduation after recovering from colon cancer – and thanked the staff who supported her along the way.

Sophia McIntosh studied for a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from her home in Kingston, Jamaica, alongside her work as a university lecturer there.

She took time out from her studies after receiving her cancer diagnosis in 2019 but was later able to return to and complete the course.

Sophia crossed the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Wednesday to collect her degree, having travelled from the Caribbean with her mum for the ceremony.

Sophia said: “I am just so full of joy, not just for me but for all of my family members and friends who have supported me.

“I am happy that I went on this journey, I am liberated and more confident. The doctorate is the icing on the cake, but the journey has transformed me.

“I still have my thesis on leadership sitting on my table at home and sometimes I just open it to have a look!

“I’m so proud of myself – I never knew I had it in me to read and learn so much.”

Having felt unwell for some time, it was through a chance meeting with a doctor at church that Sophia was referred for health checks and discovered her cancer diagnosis.

She underwent surgery and chemotherapy in the autumn of 2019, followed by more treatment the following year.

She said: “When I was told the news, I just went numb. I was told we would have to move quickly and have surgery.

“All the horror stories about chemotherapy happened to me. I had complications from my surgery, and my parents came down from another part of Jamaica to look after me.

“I had two major surgeries, and we lost my adopted brother around the same time. But despite these traumatic events, I resumed my studies after the year.”

Sophia’s graduation comes after taking time out from the course because of illness and the Covid pandemic. She is now receiving checks every six months.

Now that Sophia has completed her degree, she has paid tribute to ENU staff members past and present who supported her, including Dr Ciarán McFadden-Young, Dr Janice McMillan, and Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith  – as well as Professor Alison McCleery, who sadly passed away last year.

“It was difficult going back to the doctorate, but my research supervisors helped me settle,” Sophie added. “They were patient with me and not judgemental. They were respectful and they gave me space.

“I can’t find the words to thank them – they held my hand. I never felt alone, I never felt unsafe. I had them all behind me.”

Sophia has graduated alongside fellow students from Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School today.

ENU’s autumn graduation ceremonies were held at the Usher Hall between 29 – 31 October.

New graduate Keri hopes to make late dad proud

A new Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) graduate is hoping to make her family proud – thanks to a New York internship that unlocked her passion for her studies.

Keri Kilbride, who was the first member of her family to go to university, has graduated with a BSc (Hons) Sound Design, and is now studying for an MSc User Experience Design at ENU.

The 29-year-old from Edinburgh was presented with her degree during a ceremony at the Usher Hall yesterday.

She said: “It feels amazing to graduate. No-one in my family has done it before. I lost my dad in 2019 and a lot of the things I do are in the hope that he would be proud of me.

“I also want to show to my younger cousins that studying is a great way to find something that you enjoy.

“My time at university wasn’t always easy, but the lecturers and support staff were absolutely accommodating and understanding. They just wanted the best for me.”

As part of her studies, Keri was part of a group who completed an internship in New York with counterparts from Farmingdale State College.

It was a trip which helped cement her plan to forge a career in user experience – a term used to describe how people interact with digital technology in their day-to-day life.

“The opportunity to go to the USA helped me navigate what I was wanting to focus on,” Keri added. “We were working with a baseball team out there, making things that fans could use. I helped come up with an app and reward system they could use.

“It was such a great experience being able to make something like that happen from scratch.

“If I hadn’t gone to university, I would never have experienced something like that.”

Keri was among the students from Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment who graduated during a ceremony at the Usher Hall.

ENU’s autumn graduations conclude for 2024 later today, following six ceremonies across three days.

Sports presenter Jill Douglas collects honorary doctorate from ENU – where she began her journalism career

Borderer has been honoured for her reporting and charity work

Sports broadcaster and motor neuron disease (MND) charity leader Jill Douglas has returned to her roots to collect an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).

Best known for her on-screen coverage of rugby, cycling, snooker and athletics, Jill began her career by studying newspaper journalism at ENU while working in the Scottish Borders at her local paper, The Southern Reporter.

She would go on to become a well-recognised face in broadcast sport, covering the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cups and British & Irish Lions tours for the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports.

In a journalism career full of highlights, she was the first female to present the BBC’s Rugby Special programme, reported from cycling gold medal wins at the 2012 London Olympics, and interviewed South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi on the pitch following their win in Yokohama in 2019.

As a close friend of the late rugby player Doddie Weir, Jill has been involved with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation since its inception, serving as CEO until the spring of this year. She remains a patron at the charity, which was set up in 2017 following Doddie’s diagnosis with MND and has since raised more than £20m to back research and support.

Jill now lives with her husband Carl and their two children in Cheltenham and is President of Cheltenham Tigers RFC.

Reacting to her graduation, which took place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today [Thursday 31 October], Jill said: “I began my life in journalism and broadcasting at Edinburgh Napier. It is where I laid the foundations for my career, and I still rely on the many skills and lessons I learned on campus at Craiglockhart and Merchiston.

“It is a great honour to be recognised by the University with an Honorary Doctorate. It is very special to share graduation day with so many students who are embarking on their own careers.

“Journalism and broadcasting have allowed me to travel the world and experience some amazing events and I hope those graduating in 2024 have as many opportunities and great times as I have enjoyed over the years. I’d like to thank my old lecturers for their patience and the current team for this honour.”

Presenting her with her honorary doctorate, Dr Tony Westbury from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences said: “It has always been the qualities of knowledge, understanding and preparation that established Jill as an authoritative and skilled broadcaster.

“There is no doubt that her professionalism, knowledge and authentic love of sport has contributed to the enjoyment of many and inspired the next generation of journalists, both male and female.”

Edinburgh Napier University’s autumn graduation ceremonies conclude at the Usher Hall on 31 October.

Charity chief honoured for leading support of people with learning disabilities

The chief executive of the human rights charity Enable has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) for devoting her career to improving the life chances of people with learning disabilities.

Theresa Shearer was presented with the honour during a graduation ceremony for students from ENU’s School of Health and Social Care at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh today [29 October].

During her tenure, Theresa has been credited with helping the charity to inspire public policy development, provide human rights advocacy, build sustainable employment, and deliver human rights-driven health and social care.

Theresa’s work has also been widely recognised, while she provides voluntary support for third sector leadership and governance organisations across the UK and Europe.

In recent years Enable has partnered with Edinburgh Napier University to establish the Breaking Barriers programme.

In conjunction with professional services firm EY, it supports young people with learning disabilities make the transition to university and higher education through a combination of study and work placements.

Fittingly, the latest cohort of Breaking Barriers students received their qualifications during the same ceremony where Theresa was presented with her degree.

Reacting to the award of the honorary doctorate, Theresa said: “It is a real honour to receive an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University, an institution which lives by the values of diversity, equity and inclusion that have inspired and driven me throughout my career.

“From researching the interplay between disability and inclusion, to training and developing the next generation of health and social care professionals, and acting to widen access to university for disabled people as a partner in the Breaking Barriers programme, Edinburgh Napier University is a shining example to organisations and businesses across sectors.

“To be recognised for my contribution to the charity and social care sectors is truly a privilege, and I hope this will emphasise the critical contribution that these sectors make to our economy and society, now and in the future.”

Giving Theresa’s laureation during the graduation ceremony, Professor Jill Stavert, from ENU’s School of Health & Social Care said: “There are so many examples of Theresa’s achievements and her enormous contribution to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities.

“As CEO of Enable Scotland – a charity which supports the human rights of people with learning disabilities – Theresa leads 2,500 staff in supporting 13,000 people to live independently in their community.

“But her influence goes far beyond this role. Theresa’s contribution to executive leadership is recognised nationally and internationally, demonstrating her passion for social care workforce development and empowering young people to realise their potential.”

Next stop graduation for hundreds of Edinburgh Napier University students

For the first time six ENU ceremonies will be held this autumn

More than 1,800 Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) students are on track to collect their degrees during a bumper week of graduations at the Usher Hall.

The number of autumn graduation ceremonies has increased to six for 2024 – and they coincide with the arrival an ENU addition to the Edinburgh Trams network.

The Must Be Napier branded tram will be carrying new graduates, friends, and family across the city as they celebrate their achievements.

The ceremonies will also see the return of The Napier Graduate pub, which will see Shakespeare’s on Lothian Road renamed and decked out in Edinburgh Napier red for the week.

For the new graduates, it is an opportunity to reflect on the completion of their studies.

35-year-old Steven Halloren (above) from Edinburgh will be among those crossing the stage, graduating with an MSc Human Resources Management. He took the decision to go to university to study part-time while continuing his career in business consulting.

He said: “Studying at Edinburgh Napier has been an amazing experience from start to finish.

“Going to university was a transformative decision, especially as a mature student. It’s a bit of a culture shock at first to balance the commitment on top of a busy career, but it has taught me to think and challenge myself.

“I did my dissertation on mergers and acquisitions from an organisational culture perspective, so I was able to apply it to work straight away.

“I’ve just started my doctorate, which is something I thought I would never do. It focusses on the role AI can play in the business world.

“Seeing the enthusiasm and passion from the academics at Edinburgh Napier has inspired me to keep going.”

Learning Disability Nursing Lecturer Sam Abdulla, whose picture features on the side of the Must Be Napier tram, will be watching another cohort of students graduate this week.

He said: “Graduation is without doubt the highlight of our year. It’s the reason we do what we do.

“Seeing our students celebrate alongside their families, loved ones and colleagues is a reminder of all the hard work they’ve put into their journey at Edinburgh Napier.

“I can’t wait to see the difference that our latest graduates will make and the careers they go on to build.”

Edinburgh Napier University’s autumn graduation ceremonies are taking place at the Usher Hall between 29-31 October.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: new book marks 50 year milestone

New book edited by ENU criminology lecturer Kirstin Anderson examines the legacy of the BSU

The Barlinnie Special Unit (BSU), which polarised opinions for its therapeutic approach and shared decision making between prisoners and staff, is the subject of a comprehensive new book published today.

The small unit at the Glasgow prison opened in 1973 and operated for almost 22 years, allowing greater family contact and enabling prisoners to explore creative activities. Through the support of visiting artists, and the voices of the prisoners themselves, it challenged prevailing, disciplinarian prison culture.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Innovation and Punishment is edited by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) criminology lecturer Kirstin Anderson. It brings together recollections from those who experienced the BSU first-hand, including former prison officers and prisoners, artists who worked in the unit, the unit’s psychologist, and current scholars in criminology.

The text contains, for the first time, reflections from people involved in the unit across the entire period it operated through essays, interviews and photographs – and is set to ignite new questions and conversations around the legacy of the BSU.

Editor Kirstin Anderson said: “When the Barlinnie Special Unit opened in 1973, the small unit’s therapeutic approach led to a major polarisation of opinion and debate that still resonates.

“This book considers how lessons learned from the BSU impact our thinking on punishment and imprisonment in Scotland today.

“The publication is timely as plans move forward to replace HMP Barlinnie with HMP Glasgow.

“It’s not too late to consider the significance of the Barlinnie Special Unit in Scottish penal history and how it might encourage us to think more critically.”

Contributors to The Barlinnie Special Unit include former BSU prisoner Johnny Steele. He writes: “My life had been restored to me in instalments whereas in other parts of the system our lives were taken away from us in one go.

“For me, the BSU was the only port in the storm.”

While prison studies expert Professor Andrew Coyle highlights that, due to the lack of small units in the Scottish Prison System, “prisoners who cannot be held in general accommodation for whatever reason have been held for extended periods in what amounts to solitary confinement”, a practice criticised by the UK Supreme Court.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Innovation and Punishment is published by Waterside Press and available to buy from 1 October 2024.

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.”