Napier inauguration event marks the arrival of Will Whitehorn
Will Whitehorn has formally taken over from Dr David Eustace as Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University.
The Edinburgh-born President of industry group UKspace takes on a role which will see him confer degrees at graduations and other awards of the University, and act as figurehead at external ceremonies and official functions.
The official handover to Will, who will serve for five years, took place at a small ceremony at the University’s Sighthill campus followed by an evening function.
A former executive at the Virgin Group, his business interests include travel, technology and communication as well as leadership, marketing and product design.
He worked on a series of major Virgin projects, including the Pendolino train, and later took up the post of President at Virgin Galactic, which saw him play a central role in developing the concept of commercial space travel.
New Chancellor of ENU Will Whitehorn with previous Chancellor David Eustace. Photographed at Edinburgh Napier University’s Sighthill campus on 11 August 2021.
On being appointed to the role, Will Whitehorn said: “I am deeply honoured to have been chosen as the new Chancellor of this great University in the city I was born and raised in.”
He added: “University should be an adventure and Edinburgh Napier does a better job of fulfilling that dream for students than many educational institutions around the country can even dream of, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to play my small part in taking the achievements of the University to new heights.”
Outgoing Chancellor Dr Eustace, an award-winning photographer who graduated with distinction from the University’s BA Photography, Film and Television programme in 1991, was appointed to the role in 2015.
Among the initiatives he introduced was the Chancellor Talk series, launched in 2016 with the aim of giving students, staff and the wider community access to high-profile people whose talent and drive had made a real difference to our world.
Dr Eustace said: “Being Chancellor was a wonderful learning process which has helped me develop. There are many things I’ll miss, especially the graduation ceremonies, but it was time for a new Chancellor and new ideas.
“Nothing stands still and it shouldn’t. The joy of education is that there is no finishing line.”
Study abroad opportunities will be available for students
Students from Edinburgh Napier will be able to study across the world after the University was awarded a significant level of funding from the new Turing Scheme.
The funding, which was announced this week, is part of almost £100m that was distributed to education providers following the inaugural call for bids. It will enable and increase global mobility activity in the 2021/22 academic year, supporting students in accessing a range of international opportunities, regardless of their background.
The Turing Scheme is the UK Government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. It supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer students, learners and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad.
As part of the new global scheme, Canada, Japan and the USA are among more than 150 international destinations where UK participants will be funded to take up placements – with 48% of places going to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Turing Scheme gives participants the opportunity to benefit from working and studying abroad, while boosting the UK education sector’s ties with international partners in the process. It also aims to improve social mobility across the UK by targeting areas which had seen lower uptake up of other mobility programmes.
Edinburgh Napier University Principal and Vice Chancellor Andrea Nolan said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to the Turing Scheme.
“We have a long history of both widening participation and global mobility at Edinburgh Napier and it will be fantastic to be able to provide yet more opportunities for students from all backgrounds to experience some time abroad as part of this exciting new scheme.”
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: “Our schools, colleges and universities have worked tirelessly to make this programme a success, and I am grateful to them and their global partners who have truly embraced this opportunity for international collaboration.
“I look forward to seeing the innovation and expertise our students, pupils and vocational learners bring back to this country from their journeys to every corner of the globe – from Canada to Japan, and Australia to the United States.”
More information on how students can apply to the scheme will be announced in due course.
Edinburgh Napier celebrates graduates of 2020 and 2021
Edinburgh Napier celebrates the graduates of 2020 and 2021 by taking over the capital for a graduation with a twist
A unique city-wide takeover will showcase Edinburgh Napier’s graduate names across billboards, bus stops, trams and more
With physical graduation ceremonies being cancelled for the second year in a row, Edinburgh Napier University is today (26th July 2021) launching their ‘city takeover’ to celebrate the success of hundreds of students who missed out on their traditional graduation ceremonies.
The names of the University’s recent graduates will cover billboards, bus stops, a classic Edinburgh taxi and even a tram in tribute to those who were unable to receive their degree at the Usher Hall because of the pandemic.
This summer’s graduation ceremonies and last year’s summer and autumn ceremonies were all cancelled due to Covid-19 related restrictions, disappointing students who had put in years of hard work only to be denied their traditional day of celebration.
However, the University was determined to find alternative ways to salute the achievements of the graduates of 2020 and 2021, who had overcome the most challenging study conditions in living memory to reach their goals.
The city takeover, from July to late August, will see the names of graduates from all six academic Schools displayed across 18 billboards and 100 bus stops, accompanied by messages underlining the University’s pride in them and offering congratulations on their success.
Strategically placed around the capital, graduates can find their names via the ‘Find My Billboard’ feature on the University website by using their student number to pinpoint the site displaying their name.
Locations will be linked to academic disciplines: School of Health & Social Care names will be near hospitals, School of Arts & Creative Industries names near arts venues and School of Computing names near tech industry sites.
The takeover campaign will be captured on film and complemented by social media coverage with dedicated #NapierNames and local radio advertising.
Students who missed out on the traditional day of celebration at the Usher Hall are also getting the chance to come on to the Craiglockhart campus to have gowned-up pictures with family and friends taken by the University’s regular graduation services partner so they have a permanent souvenir.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “The last 16 months have presented students with formidable challenges as they have had to adjust to different ways of learning while coping with all of the disruption the pandemic has caused to our normal way of life.
“Our graduates have shown enormous resilience and strength of character in completing their studies during this period of upheaval and we wanted to show them just how proud we are of what they have achieved.
“It’s a huge achievement to graduate and we wanted to give students the same euphoria you get when your names called out on stage.”
CASE STUDIES
Hayley Kane, 24, BSc Animal and Conservation Biology graduate
A student who was diagnosed with a rare cancer at a key point in her studies has successfully graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a first class honours degree.
Hayley Kane recovered from the devastating news, and two operations, to complete her BSc (Hons) in Animal and Conservation Biology – even though at times she had to leave lectures to change her dressing following radiotherapy treatment.
Hayley, of Fairmilehead in Edinburgh, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma shortly before her third year assessments started – although she only learned about it after it had been removed. The rare form of cancer develops in cells around joints and tendons, often near the knee, and is most commonly associated with young adults.
Hayley had had issues with her knee for almost a decade, which worsened to a point where she was in constant pain and struggling to walk without crutches.
The 24-year-old is now set to continue her studies in September with an MSc in Statistical Ecology at St Andrews University.
Hayley said: “I’m thrilled to have completed my degree and I hope my experience will serve as inspiration to other students who may be struggling due to external factors.
“It is possible to overcome hardships and achieve your goals as long as you are willing to work for it.”
Dr Gavin Ballantyne, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “Hayley has done brilliantly at Edinburgh Napier. Not only has she overcome serious health issues, but she’s also remained engaged, motivated and has produced an excellent final year project.
“We’re so pleased to see her graduate with a first-class degree and now go on to start an MSc at St Andrews.”
Hashani Gunasekera, 28, MBA Business Administration graduate
A new Edinburgh Napier graduate’s path to an MBA was almost wrecked by Sri Lanka’s horrific Easter bombings.
Health management student Hashani Gunasekera was finalising her research proposal for her online course when suicide bombers claimed the lives of 269 people in Sri Linka on April 21 2019.
The atrocity sparked widespread tension on the South Asian island and a security crackdown which included a ban on public use of the internet.
Then, just as the situation was stabilising, along came the Covid pandemic which forced Hashani to defer her research into patients undergoing elective surgery so she could work on the hospital frontline.
In a year in which no graduate had it easy, the 28-year-old has many reasons to be proud of the Masters in Business Administration (Health Management) she was finally awarded this week by Edinburgh Napier.
Hashani said: “Completing my MBA has been a physical and mental struggle so I am very proud to have got over the line, with particular thanks to my supervisor Libby Campbell, who showed the utmost support throughout all these crises.”
Hashani’s course was delivered by the University in partnership with the Sri Lanka-based Business Management School, and Edinburgh Napier teaching staff travelled to South Asia for the orientation programme and some lectures.
Hashani is now working as a medical officer in a government hospital in Sri Lanka, a role which combines medical and administrative work.
Libby Campbell, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health & Social Care, said: “Hashani should be proud of herself, achieving an MBA from Edinburgh Napier and doing so entirely online, when it was available, while working in frontline healthcare, during a major incident and its fallout, and during the pandemic.
“I’m glad I was able to help support her and I wish her well for the future.”
Ozone is Business of the Year at annual celebration of innovation and enterprise
A clothing venture which has sustainability embedded into its entire business process was the big winner at the annual Bright Red Sparks awards.
An underwear designer, a social enterprise and a business driving energy efficiency in rented housing were also among those honoured at the event, which showcases innovative products and services developed by start-ups, spinouts and entrepreneurs.
An initiative of Edinburgh Napier’s Bright Red Triangle enterprise hub, the awards saw students, staff and alumni within five years of graduation compete across five categories for business coaching and more than £20,000 in cash prizes.
Ozone, founded by Edinburgh Napier Business School student James Bruce (above), won first prize in the Business of the Year category.
Its colourful apparel is developed with sustainability in mind, from initial resources to final products. This includes the sustainable sourcing of materials, carbon offsetting, fully compostable and recyclable packaging, and an ethically accredited supply chain.
Shortlisted enterprises across all five categories were assessed for everything from the viability of their ideas and clarity of planning to potential for growth. Business of the Year this year replaced the Going for Growth category, with 11 successful applicants participating in an intensive accelerator programme of three three-day sprints over a seven-week period.
Each participant in the category received £1000, with judges Lindsey McArthur, Relationship Manager at Santander Universities UK, and Dr Rosemary Allford, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Edinburgh Napier, deciding how to split a further prize pool of £7000 following an online pitching session.
Bright Red Sparks Awards 2021 winners
Business of the Year (£11,000 plus £7000 prize pool)
The big award for businesses or rigorously tested business ideas with global growth potential went to James Bruce’s Ozone, which scooped £3000 from the prize pool, as well as the £1000 which went to all 11 ventures which successfully applied to participate in the category.
The judges made further prize pool awards to second prize winner Matthew Porter’s skate equipment enterprise Ogle Skate (£2000) (above) and joint third prize winners Kat Kuritcina and Jason Shields’ Top Trend Blend Coffee and Dr Abdelfateh Kerrouche’s Autonomous Robot for collecting data from underwater surveys. (£1000 each from the prize pool)
Bright Ideas (£1000)
Product design graduate Kat Pohorecka came top in this category for exciting early-stage business ideas within one year of trading. She created Mude – a brand of underwear for insulin pump users. The collection of six nude-coloured bodysuits allow women affected by type 1 diabetes to wear an insulin pump with any type of clothing.
Business for Good (£1000)
School of Computing graduate Viana Maya won the category for businesses that have an environmental or social purpose at their core. Viana is the founder of pRESPECT – a social enterprise empowering minority ethic and other marginalised people through tailored personal and professional development, so they may gain sustainable and progressive employment.
Freelancer of the Year (£1000)
School of Engineering graduate Adam Al-khateb came top in the category for individuals who are self-employed, consistently develop themselves, and have ambitious plans for their freelance career.
His AAL Property Solutions was founded in September 2020, and its mission is to drive energy efficiency in the private rented housing sector and support customers throughout the lettings process. It offers fast, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions to an energyinefficient sector with increasing regulation and responsibility.
Enterprising Educators (£1000)
Maggie Anderson, who has worked at the University for more than 20 years, won the category forEdinburgh Napier staff who get students involved in enterprise activities.
She has been a driving force in developing the University Short course programme, an innovative suite of modules designed to introduce entrepreneurship and innovation to the leaders of the Ministry of Defence from across the UK, using a variety of learning and teaching approaches. The prize money goes towards the winning programme.
Nick Fannin, Head of Enterprise at Edinburgh Napier, said: “Bright Red Sparks shines a light on all of the enterprising students, staff, and alumni from Edinburgh Napier University and recognises their hard work, determination, and outstanding achievements.
“This year we wanted to provide more guided support for as many entrepreneurs as possible, and so we put them through three deep-dive bootcamps to find our Business of the Year.
“The remaining four categories saw impressive early-stage business ideas, ambitious freelancers, social entrepreneurs, and our very own Edinburgh Napier educators who support our students to develop their enterprise skills.
“We couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from Santander Universities. From all of us at Edinburgh Napier and our entrepreneurs, thank you.”
Lindsey McArthur, Relationship Manager, Santander Universities UK, said: “Through the Universities programme, Santander is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and student start-ups.
“We have supported the Bright Red Triangle at Edinburgh Napier for a number of years and I am always impressed by the standard of the businesses taking part as well as the commitment, passion and hard work demonstrated by the students involved.
“A huge well done to the winners this year, a fantastic achievement. I look forward to hearing updates as your businesses grow and wish you all the very best for the future.”
An Edinburgh-based American football project which is using sport to drive young people from the most deprived areas of the city into further education, is taking part in a national campaign, supported by Dame Katherine Grainger, highlighting how universities are helping local communities recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Edinburgh Napier Knights Youth team was set up by Edinburgh Napier University in 2017, with the goal of working with school-age children in Sighthill and Broomhouse – areas with low levels of educational attainment – to promote health and wellbeing and provide a pathway for players to transition into higher education.
The youth teams are coached exclusively by students and graduates from Edinburgh Napier University who have undertaken coaching awards. By working across age groups, student coaches are able to educate their participants about the benefits of physical activity and the opportunities that are available to them through education.
The project, which has gone from strength to strength and seen seven members of the locally recruited youth team progress to university recently, is one of a number being featured in this week’s Made at Uni Energising Places campaign led by Universities UK and British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and supported by Dame Katherine.
Pete Laird (above), Head Coach of the Napier Knights and the university’s programme leader for Sport, Exercise and Health Science explained how the project had helped inspire local youngsters: “We decided we wanted to give something back to the local community.
“We know from studies that sport can engage young people, and we also know that young people who play sport are also more likely to do better academically. So we thought American football as our sport would be fantastic vehicle to try and help local kids.
“One of the great success stories coming out of our youth team was the progression of some of our players on to further and higher education. For some of our kids they were first generation students, having never thought about university before. Last year we had seven students who progressed from the youth team onto university, which for us that is an unbelievable success story.”
One of those success stories is Robbie Wales, an incoming first year studying Physical Activity and Health at Napier and the first member of his family to attend university.
He said: “The coaching staff are amazing; the team is amazing. I’ve gained a lot of skills from American football, mainly teamwork but also patience. Talking with coaches and past players, it’s definitely helped me make decisions on my life.”
The university are hopeful that even more young people from Edinburgh will get involved in the project as Covid restrictions ease.
Pete Laird added: “We were very worried coming out of lockdown, about whether or not the numbers would stay the same – but actually what we’ve seen is a big growth in people wanting to participate in activity.
“Now more than ever, sport is a vital resource for post-pandemic recovery.”
Dame Katherine Grainger said: “A lot of people know about the role universities play in developing some of our greatest Olympians and Paralympians but there is a real untold story about the work they do in their communities to improve the lives of people through sport and physical activity.
“The Edinburgh Napier Knights Youth team is a great example of that.”
The Made at Uni Energising Places campaign is taking place between July 12-16th, and includes the BUCS annual awards event which celebrates the positive effect of student sport and students who participate in the wider sporting sector in the UK.
To find out more about the Made at Uni Energising Places campaign visit www.madeatuni.org or follow @MadeAtUni on Twitter
‘It’s been a physical and mental struggle, and I am proud to have got over the line’
A NEW Edinburgh Napier graduate has told how her path to an MBA was almost wrecked by Sri Lanka’s horrific Easter bombings.
Health management student Hashani Gunasekera was finalising her research proposal for her online course when suicide bombers claimed the lives of 269 people on April 21 2019.
The atrocity sparked widespread tension on the South Asian island and a security crackdown which included a ban on public use of the internet.
Then, just as the situation was stabilising, along came the Covid pandemic which forced Hashani to defer her research into patients undergoing elective surgery so she could go and work on the hospital frontline.
In a year in which no graduate had it easy, the 28-year-old has more reasons than most to be proud of the Masters in Business Administration (Health Management) she was finally awarded this week by Edinburgh Napier.
Hashani said: “Completing my MBA has been a physical and mental struggle so I am very proud to have got over the line, with particular thanks to my supervisor Libby Campbell, who showed the utmost support throughout all these crises.
“It really is a dream come true. Now I hope to use my knowledge and experience to work in the health administrative sector to improve health systems in Sri Lanka and create a safe environment for both patients and doctors.”
Hashani’s course was delivered by the University in partnership with the Sri Lanka-based Business Management School, and Edinburgh Napier teaching staff travelled to South Asia for the orientation programme and some lectures.
Hashani began her studies in January 2018, but 15 months later the peace of the island was shattered when nine suicide bombers detonated devices in six locations. The victims ranged from worshippers celebrating Easter in church to tourists eating in hotel restaurants.
The student said: “It happened just weeks before I was due to submit my research proposal, and the country was plunged into distress with curfews and multiple bomb scares which brought back memories of the civil war. Security was increased everywhere and there was a ban on the internet as well for the public.”
Tensions gradually eased but by the time Hashani got clearance to carry out her research she was working round-the-clock as an intern doctor at a busy district hospital in the northern province of Kilinochchi. Her on-call duties covered obstetrics, gynaecology and internal medicine.
She said: “I was away from my family and loved ones and internet access was poor, hampering my attempts to complete my dissertation. Then Covid struck and I had to defer for a year and go and work frontline. My research focused on patients undergoing elective surgery, and this type of surgery was cancelled during the pandemic.
“It was not until this year, after overcoming multiple delays, bombings, a pandemic and a physically and mentally exhausting internship, that I finally managed to complete my MBA – before a third wave of Covid struck.”
Hashani is now working as a medical officer in a government hospital in Sri Lanka, a role which combines medical and administrative work. She said: “I am keen to promote patient-centred decision making. I am also planning to start my own medical clinic in the future, and hope to use my expertise as a doctor and an administrator to provide the best of care for my patients.”
Libby Campbell, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health & Social Care, said: “Hashani should be proud of herself, achieving an MBA from Edinburgh Napier and doing so entirely online, when it was available, while working in frontline healthcare, during a major incident and its fallout, and during the pandemic.
“I’m glad I was able to help support her and I wish her well for the future.”
MSc is the next challenge for inspirational student
A student who was diagnosed with a rare cancer at a key point in her studies has successfully graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a first class honours degree.
Hayley Kane recovered from the devastating news, and two operations, to complete her BSc (Hons) in Animal and Conservation Biology – even though at times she had to leave lectures to change her dressing following radiotherapy treatment.
Now the brave 24-year-old is set to continue her studies in September with an MSc in Statistical Ecology at St Andrews University.
Hayley said: “I’m thrilled to have completed my degree and I hope my experience will serve as inspiration to other students who may be struggling due to external factors. It is possible to overcome hardships and achieve your goals as long as you are willing to work for it.”
Hayley, of Fairmilehead, Edinburgh, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma shortly before her third year assessments started – although she only learned about it after it had been removed. The rare form of cancer develops in cells around joints and tendons, often near the knee, and is most commonly associated with young adults.
Hayley had had issues with her knee for almost a decade, which worsened to a point where she was in constant pain and struggling to walk without crutches.
An x-ray picked up what was initially presumed to be a benign tumour but after an op to remove it she was told it had been synovial sarcoma, and was likely to have become cancerous fairly recently.
Hayley said: “I opted not to have chemotherapy due to the potential long-term effects on my health, and went on to have 12 weeks of radiotherapy to my knee. I underwent treatment throughout my third year assessments and over Christmas, with it ending shortly before the next trimester began.
“There were times when I had to excuse myself from lectures to change the dressings on my knee due to the excessive fluid leaking from the burns on my leg, but thankfully my friends were always happy to help fill me in on anything I had missed.
“Since my treatment finished I have thankfully remained cancer-free and look forward to resuming my studies at St Andrews.”
Dr Gavin Ballantyne, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “Hayley has done brilliantly at Edinburgh Napier.
“Not only has she overcome serious health issues, but she’s also remained engaged, motivated and has produced an excellent final year project. We’re so pleased to see her graduate with a first-class degree and now go on to start an MSc at St Andrews.”
Adrian and Jasmine show that academic success runs in the family
AN award-winning Edinburgh Napier researcher and his daughter have completed a graduation family double.
Adrian Smales, 52, who first attended the university in 1992, returned here to do a PhD in Healthcare Informatics.
And his second time around graduation this week has coincided with 22-year-old daughter Jasmine being awarded a first class BMus (Hons) music degree.
Adrian, from Lasswade, said: “Jasmine is very independent and didn’t need much guidance from me during her course, but we did meet up for the occasional coffee at the Merchiston campus which was always nice.
“Now we hope to celebrate our double graduation with a barbeque with family and friends.”
Adrian originally graduated from the University with a B Eng (Hons) in electronic and computer engineering in 1998.
He returned to Edinburgh Napier to research a PhD thesis titled ‘Test-bed and evaluation of a home-based adverse event prediction infrastructure‘. He has won a string of awards for his work, which in simple terms prevents falls in the home by predicting the increasing risk of significant inactivity, and has led to the development of wearable technology in collaboration with commercial partners.
Jasmine, though like her father a well-known face at Merchiston, has gone down a different academic route.
She said: “I was drawn to the music course at Edinburgh Napier because of its versatility and wide range of module choices. In the past academic year I have written an inclusive music guide for children, and for my final project I have written and created a demo EP that explores mental health.”
David follows in the footsteps of his inspirational grandfather
A YOUNG student has followed in the footsteps of his education trailblazer grandfather to graduate from Edinburgh Napier University.
David Hughes drew inspiration from the academic exploits of Dr David Dick – the first Vice Principal of Napier College who returned to the institution after it was granted University status to complete a PhD at the age of 84.
Growing up, the younger David was driven to succeed in his own right by his grandfather’s achievements, anecdotes and enthusiastic interest in his education.
Now, less than six months after his grandfather passed away, it’s 22-year-old David’s turn in the spotlight as he has been awarded a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences as part of the Class of 2021.
Ex-Royal High School pupil David said: “My grandfather’s knowledge and scholarship, alongside his genuine interest in my studies, were an inspiration during my journey to becoming an undergraduate student and continued throughout my time at University.
“I was excited and encouraged by his anecdotes, as well as his academic achievements in his retired life.”
Wartime telegram boy David Dick became a hydroelectric engineer then lecturer, and following his Vice Principal stint at Napier College from 1964, he was Principal at Edinburgh’s Stevenson College from 1970 – 1988.
He spent his retirement years engaged in the constant pursuit of learning, securing a BA (Hons) at the Open University, a Masters of Literature at the University of Dundee, and his doctorate in philosophy at Edinburgh Napier in 2013, which saw him reportedly crowned Scotland’s oldest PhD graduate.
He was awarded an OBE in 1982 for services to both education and the fire service, of which he chaired the examination board in Scotland for 17 years.
David said: “My grandfather and I spoke on numerous occasions about the difficulties of my dissertation topic, titled ‘Analysis of Scottish Nationalism in 2021 and how it is perceived amongst generational cohorts in Scotland’, and he always asked how I was getting on as the research was coming together.
“His passing in January at the age of 91 was extremely difficult. However, the perseverance he showed in his work spurred me on to complete my own studies in the belief that my grandfather would have been proud of my work and achievements.
“I have dedicated my dissertation in his memory.”
David now hopes to follow his childhood dream of achieving an aircrew role in the Royal Air Force or Royal Navy.
Dr John Burnett, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “David’s enthusiasm, diligence, intelligence and determination to succeed are qualities clearly evident in his grandfather’s incredibly rich and impressive life story.
“The first class mark he achieved for his dissertation is a testament to the hard work, resourcefulness and considerable academic skill in the planning, design and execution of what is a complex and challenging topic – even without the trials and tribulations of the ongoing pandemic.
“I’m sure David’s late grandfather would’ve been incredibly proud of his achievements – and rightly so!”
Scottish rugby 7s star Jamie Farndale has been awarded a first class honours degree after a nine-year academic journey which he has combined with a career in elite international sport.
The 27-year-old got the best of both worlds thanks to Edinburgh Napier’s Dual Career approach which allows talented athletes to balance their studies with a hectic sporting schedule.
Now he has graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Business Management after also competing in under-20 World Cups, playing for Edinburgh Rugby, captaining Scotland 7s and finishing top try scorer at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Jamie, who is also Director of Rugby Players Scotland, a company established to represent professional players, said: “The university I was supposed to go to told me I had to choose between university or rugby, but at Edinburgh Napier lecturers have gone massively out of their way to accommodate me.
“Training or competing abroad almost always clashed with lectures, tutorials and exams, and I had to work hard to catch up, and even had to re-sit entire modules due to missing exams.
“What made a difficult task possible was the eagerness to help which I experienced. Lectures were recorded so I could catch up in the evenings, some academics met with me to provide one-on-one tutoring, and others set me different exam assessments to cover times when I was abroad.”
Former Edinburgh Academy pupil Jamie, who was a Scottish Schools Cup winner at U15 and U18 level, has gained a reputation as a potent attacking threat from the wing, despite suffering an early career leg break. He is also an accomplished piper.
During his part-time studies at Edinburgh Napier, in 2017, he scored the winning try for the national 7s team with the clock in the red to enable them to complete an amazing comeback from 21-0 down and become the first Scotland side to beat a team from New Zealand.
In the following year’s 7s World Cup in San Francisco, he again scored a try after the full-time hooter to seal a 31-26 comeback win over Kenya before running over 100 metres to score the try in extra time that saw Scotland beat France.
Jamie said: “Having been able to study towards a degree while playing at the highest level instead of having to wait to complete my studies first has given me such a head start and allowed me the best chance in my rugby career. I am forever grateful to everyone at Edinburgh Napier.
“I hope I still have three or four years left of professional rugby but I will use the time I put into studying to try to get involved in some work-based projects, perhaps in sustainability. Long term, I may look to continue my studies with an MBA or maybe some professional qualifications such as a CA.”
Dr Stephen Robertson, lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s Business School, worked closely with Jamie during his time at the University and supervised his dissertation.
He said: “Jamie was often on the other side of the world, and working with him over the years taught me what is possible with remote learning. As a second year he used lecture recordings originally created to support dyslexic students to stay up to date with his class and actually finished with the highest scores.
“What Jamie has achieved in his studies is outstanding. What he’s achieved on the field is incredible. That he’s managed to do both at the same time says a lot about his focus, attention to detail and work ethic.”
