Queen Margaret University – The NEN

Festival goers write their own obituary to celebrate life

Audiences will have the unique and unusual opportunity to write their own obituaries in a new thought-provoking workshop at this year’s national festival of humanities – Being Human Festival.

This year, the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, and ‘Obituaries – Landmarks for Life and Living’ is just one of 230 free events taking place in November across the UK in 58 towns and cities.

Experts from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh will host a creative and interactive workshop that aims to challenge participants to explore their own experiences and celebrate their lives in a new way.

Dr Michelle Elliot, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Dr Giorgos Tsiris, Senior Lecturer in Music Therapy, and Dr Anthony Schrag, Reader in Arts Management and Cultural Policy, will facilitate ‘Obituaries – Landmarks for Life and Living,’ which will invite audiences to think about their life and how they want to be remembered.

Michelle Elliot said: “In an age where social media enables real-time documenting and curating images of everyday life, we invite participants to question what might be the ‘sum’ rather than the ‘parts’ of their lives.

“In most circumstances, obituaries are written after someone’s death, by someone else who is possibly going through their own experience of bereavement. What if we were to change the narrative and ask you to write your own obituary, in life, in this present moment?

“We consider this narrative exercise to be a celebration of, and reflection on, life. It allows you to look back at activities, events, and roles – do they represent what you would want to be remembered for? As you consider your life’s journey to this point, you may find the experience reflective and revealing.

“In this interactive workshop, we will look at examples of obituaries and share in conversations about what everyday life says about who we are and how we live. In this reflective space, we will explore the influences on the stories we live by, live with and perhaps aspire towards.”

2024 marks a landmark anniversary year for the Being Human Festival. Every November over the past decade, the festival invites researchers at universities and affiliated organisations to collaborate with local communities and cultural partners to present hundreds of free public engagement events.

The aim is to celebrate and demonstrate the ways in which the humanities inspire and enrich our everyday lives, help us to understand ourselves, our relationships with others, and the challenges we face in a changing world.

To date, the Being Human Festival has featured more than 2,600 free events and activities, reaching over 260,000 people across the UK.

To tie in with its 10th anniversary, the theme of the festival this year is ‘Landmarks’ and will feature free events across the UK between 7-16th November.

‘Obituaries – Landmarks for Life and Living,’ will take place on 16 November 2024 at St Columba’s Hospice Care, Edinburgh from 1pm to 4pm.

To find out more, visit the Being Human Festival website – https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/

To book your free spot for ‘Obituaries – Landmarks for Life and Living,’ visit – https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/obituaries-landmarks-life-and-living

Maiden / Mother / Whore

In collaboration with The University of Edinburgh, Queen Margaret University and Dancebase, Theiya Arts will bring an experiential arts-academia symposium to the city this October, followed by three November performances of new intersectional feminist performance work in Edinburgh and Glasgow

Dance Base, Edinburgh – 7th October 2024, 1- 4pm

Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh – 1st November 2024, 12 – 5.30pm

Southside Community Centre, Edinburgh – 9th November, 1 – 4pm

Venue TBC, ‘Focus on South Asian Arts’ event collab. The Work Room – 15th November (AM – time tbc)

Civic House, Glasgow – 15th November, 5.30 – 7pm

Theiyā Arts Dance Collective in collaboration with The Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at The University of Edinburgh present a new interdisciplinary mixed media performance – Maiden | Mother | Whore – exploring the complex relationships between women, social structures, health and social policies, and institutions.

Maiden | Mother | Whore will be performed for the public in November: first in Edinburgh, at the Assembly Roxy (1 November) and the Southside Community Centre (9 November), before a final performance at Civic House in Glasgow (15 November).

Prior to the November performances, on Monday 7th October there will be an experiential symposium in collaboration with The Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Applied Social Sciences at the Queen Margaret University, and Dancebase, Edinburgh.

This symposium aims to offer a unique space for multi-disciplinary critical discourse, knowledge exchange, and relational introspections of arts and academia.

Drawing on women’s embodied experiences and narratives, Maiden | Mother | Whore is a thought-provoking mixed-media performance that delves into the tensions between individuals and collectives, agency and power, and patterns of oppression and resistance.

The work seeks to investigate the polarised roles and positioning of women and their impact on subjectivities, both collective and individual, through the lens of Transnational Intersectional Feminism.

The audience are invited to become part of the creation of the performance, contributing to and furthering the dialogue between academic and artistic communities, as the performance evolves in response to their engagement with the piece.

An interactive, multi-media show using projection, live music, spoken word, and South Asian classical-contemporary dance, Maiden | Mother | Whore urges all to consider the relationship between self and society and what it means to exist in a gendered body today.

Maiden | Mother | Whore emerged as a result of a creative partnership between Theiyā Arts Dance Collective and academics from the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society and is supported by Creative Scotland and Dance Base, Edinburgh.

Top university for student mentoring launches innovative fresh take

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has launched another pioneering mentorship project with a novel twist that will better prepare students for the world of work.

To build upon the success of its inaugural QMU Employer Mentoring Programme, QMU has developed the Rotational Leadership Mentoring Programme (ROME) – the first of its kind in the education sector. This has been designed to give students the opportunity to understand the various industries and career paths available to them by pairing them with four expert mentors.

In this new rotational set-up, students from 2nd year and above can meet with each of their four mentors to focus on a key skill required for that specific role or industry. This means that students can concentrate on key areas with different specialists, such as analytical skills, critical thinking, decision making, team building, and other leadership skills.

Mentors already enrolled for the upcoming year include professionals working across all sectors, including those in the NHS, The Scottish Government, the IHG Hotel group and Dakota Hotels. QMU’s own Principal, Sir Paul Grice, has also been named as a mentor for this year.

Juan Garcia, Employability and Development Advisor at QMU, who is the brainchild behind the innovative mentoring programme, explained: “The idea of rotating mentors is completely new to the higher education sector, and something I was keen to drive forward to ensure our students have the best chance to develop their employability skills and learn from different industry experts.

“What also makes this so unique is that most mentorship programmes aren’t available to students until their 4th year. We wanted to make this available to our students from as early as their 2nd year to give them the best head start. It is vital that we continue to adapt and develop our career programmes to keep up with the ever-changing needs of our students, so they feel really well equipped to step into the world of work.

“We want students and graduates to have the confidence, skillset and knowledge to hit the ground running. Input from good mentors can help to give students excellent industry insights that will give them the edge, allowing them to stand out in the crowd. They can also help direct them into key areas and open doors to other work opportunities.”

Graeme Cleland, Business Development Manager at law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn and one of this year’s mentors, said: “It’s fantastic to see QMU developing new ways to extend the proven benefits of mentoring programmes to even more students.

“This programme will allow mentees to progress faster by drawing on the experience and contacts from their mentor, learn how to navigate entering their chosen field, and understand what skills they should focus on developing.

“Mentors involved also benefit too. As well as lending a helping hand to those aspiring to build a career, they also learn a lot from mentees about what the next generation of colleagues are looking for in the workplace, which can be taken back into their business.”

QMU’s mentoring schemes are distinctive from other university mentoring schemes in that they are particularly student driven and internationally recognised. The University aims to deliver what students really need and want, as well as ensure students develop the skills that employers are looking for.

The award-winning and accredited QMU Employer Mentoring Programme, which was established in 2013, was created with the aim of increasing student confidence and developing excellent industry links and job opportunities. Since its inception, the programme has provided over 500 students with expert mentorship from across a huge variety of sectors and professions.

Adrian Crichton, a graduate of QMU who took part in the mentorship programme when he was a student, is now returning to be a mentor in the rotational project. Adrian, who graduated from QMU in 2019 with a BA (Hons) in PR, Marketing and Events, is now the Director of Business Planning and Strategy within the Global Strategy and Enablement team at American Express.

The pilot Rotational Leadership Mentoring Programme will be open to QMU students for two weeks from the 16th September 2024.

Find out more on our website – https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/services-for-students/careers-and-employability/careers-and-employability/employer-mentoring/

New major partnership will boost community wealth in East Lothian

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is joining forces with East Lothian Council and other key organisations across the country to support the authority’s efforts to increase community wealth in the region.

The University has become one of the first signatories of the council’s East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter. The Charter, a formal partnership between East Lothian Council, QMU and other key stakeholders across the region, is part of the Scottish Government’s Community Wealth Building (CWB) approach to harness the economic and social leverage of influential anchor institutions across the country.

By working across multiple organisations, East Lothian Council aims to harness the collective power which exists in East Lothian to create more job opportunities, increase business growth, improve wellbeing and deliver substantial economic benefits.

QMU is already embedding the concept of CWB through a significant new partnership with Bright Red Triangle, the enterprise hub at Edinburgh Napier University, in a move which will improve and extend the level of entrepreneurial support available to university, college and wider communities.

The QMU Start Up Studio will accommodate both Bright Red Triangle and East Lothian Council’s Business Gateway services on its campus in Musselburgh, presenting a significant opportunity in raising the profile of East Lothian as a place which supports and accommodates start-ups businesses and spin-out companies.

The Council and Queen Margaret University believe that CWB principles can also positively shape and drive academic engagement with the Edinburgh Innovation Hub – a joint venture between East Lothian Council and QMU and funded by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

The new Hub, which is on track for completion in 2025, will be made up of flexible laboratory, office and fully equipped meeting and conference spaces for rent and will be a major asset to the local communities, as well as further afield.

The University has an important presence in the county through a combination of being a largescale employer, generator of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation, purchaser of goods and services, and controller of large areas of land and ﬁxed assets in the locality.

Kim Stuart, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Development at QMU, said: “Queen Margaret University is totally committed to partnership working which delivers economic and societal benefits and the CWB approach aligns closely with many of QMU’s existing strategic objectives relating to social justice, wellbeing, sustainability, and more resilient local and regional economies.

“This new partnership presents a perfect opportunity for QMU to assist in enhancing the collective benefits which can be created within East Lothian. We hope that this relationship will help foster responsible entrepreneurship and develop solutions that have an impact on society, as a whole. We look forward to working with the Council and other organisations to create a strong and inclusive local economy.”

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Economic Development said: “We are delighted to be working with Queen Margaret University as a signatory of the East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter.

“Their plans to embed it strategically within the university recognises the importance of this approach and offers a model for other organisations to follow to deliver maximum impact.

“Community Wealth Building aims to redirect wealth back into the local economy to benefit local people. As an authority we’re embracing the opportunities this offers to deliver a fairer and more prosperous East Lothian in line with our key council priorities.

“Our Charter brings together organisations who are committed to this approach and who will work together to create a strong and resilient local economy which benefits everyone.”

Councillor John McMillan concluded: “Community Wealth Building is a cornerstone of the East Lothian Local Economy Strategy.

“Its adoption by Queen Margaret University builds upon our strong partnership and, in particular, the links that exist with our Economic Development service to support entrepreneurial activity, business start-ups and growth.”

‘An inspiration and a true local hero’

Master’s is child’s play for hero who holps orphans in Ukraine

Gavin Menzies, a 38-year-old from Carrick Knowe, has graduated with a Master’s degree in Play Therapy from Queen Margaret University. His journey to this achievement is remarkable, as he put his career and studies on hold to help people in Ukraine during the war.

Within weeks of the full-scale Russian invasion, Gavin travelled to Kyiv to support children who had lost their families and to provide end-of-life care to the elderly. Despite the risks, he was determined to alleviate the suffering of those caught in the conflict.

Before his involvement in Ukraine, Gavin ran support businesses for children in Edinburgh. The pandemic highlighted the complex challenges faced by the children he worked with, prompting him to study the MSc Play Therapy at Queen Margaret University.

This course, run in collaboration with the specialist play therapy organisation With Kids, equipped him with the skills to better support young people. Due to his volunteering in Ukraine and his local commitments, he studied the course part-time over three years.

Since the full-scale invasion, Gavin has made several trips to Ukraine to provide vital supplies. During his time there, he supplied clothing, supplies and Christmas presents to over 600 orphans in Odessa.

Once home in Edinburgh, Gavin continued to provide vital support to the orphaned group of children by maintaining their extraordinary connection online. His volunteering also allowed him to apply the knowledge gained from his course to enhance his ability to serve children with complex needs in his local community.

As a former player with the Pleasance Basketball Club, Gavin uses sport to give children a head start in life. His High Flyers Basketball Academy has grown to provide coaching to 300 kids across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Gavin opted to use the last year to focus on his Master’s course to ensure that he was better qualified to support his groups of children.

This July, he graduated from Queen Margaret University with a MA Play Therapy with merit. However, the ongoing plight of the Ukrainian people weighed heavily on his mind.

Now with his Master’s degree firmly under his belt, he has returned to Ukraine and is currently working to rebuild and revamp the orphanage in Odessa and volunteer in Kharkiv, where Russian forces have made gains these last few months.

He has just delivered supplies to a medical representative at an outpost in Kharkiv, and in the last few days, he has also been supporting orphans in Kyiv while drone attacks and bombing takes place all around them.

Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “Gavin’s selfless dedication to supporting the next generation through sport is what ultimately motivated him to come to QMU and study the MSc Play Therapy.

“Gavin’s drive and determination to make a positive impact on people’s lives epitomises the values of QMU. He is an inspiration and a true local hero.”

Gavin received his Master’s award at a graduation ceremony attended by QMU’s Chancellor, Dame Prue Leith CBE.

He has now secured a position as a play therapist with the charity With Kids, and continues to blend this work with his holiday camps and basketball clubs, while still volunteering in Ukraine.

Queen Margaret Uni transforms its teaching and learning spaces

Queen Margaret University’s attractive modern campus, which was built in Musselburgh in 2007, is undergoing a significant transformation which will see the development of exciting new teaching and learning spaces.

The Future Spaces project involves the revitalisation of some of the University’s most important learning and teaching spaces to help ensure QMU meets the changing needs of students and staff.

The work also aims to support QMU’s ambitions to refresh, enhance and modernise the campus so that it continues to attract prospective students and supports the growth of the university.

With an investment of £2.1 million, students and staff can expect to see a dramatic change to the Learning Resource Centre and some ground floor classroom areas, which will ultimately expand capacity for self-directed and collaborative student learning and informal teaching activity.

The enhancement and repurposing of spaces will also provide more flexible use of key areas of the building and a wider choice of more comfortable, vibrant, and sociable study space options. Some of the changes will also provide increased capacity for larger practical group work, which will provide greater flexibility with timetabling and support the delivery of high demand courses.

Bruce Laing, Director of Campus Services, explained: “Queen Margaret University already has an attractive, bright, modern campus development, but it’s important that we continue investing in our buildings to ensure they reflect changes in the way students work and developments in the way we teach.

“Essentially, we want to create welcoming and comfortable study and teaching spaces where students want to be, and which will support and enhance their learning. Aside from supporting current students studying at the University, the investment will help us to remain competitive in our ability to attract prospective students.”

A range of stakeholder engagement took place across the university through workshops, surveys and feedback sessions to help shape the plans and deliver attractive, flexible spaces which would inspire, motivate and support students to fully engage in a diverse range of learning opportunities.

The renovation work involves the transformation of the Learning Resource Centre to create spaces which support social learning through collaborative and peer-group projects, and flexible spaces which support a diversity of informal teaching and supervision activity.

Bruce Laing continued: “We are delighted to be working with Morris & Spottiswood in the transformation of the building spaces, and it is hoped that the full first phase of the project will be completed by mid-September, allowing our students to take full advantage of the new spaces in their first semester.

“We are also excited about showcasing our new interior spaces to hundreds of prospective students and their families at our September and October open days this year. More importantly, we are confident that the current transformation of learning and teaching spaces will help us enhance the student experience so that students are well equipped to go out into the world and make a difference.”

David Thorn, Operations Director at Morris & Spottiswood said: “Our aim is to create places where people can thrive, and this project really seeks to deliver such spaces, so we are thrilled to be involved.

“All stakeholders are committed to successful delivery, and we have experienced true commitment to partnership working across our team, Designers ADP Architecture, Project Managers HD Property Consultants and the wider project delivery team.”

Professor David Stevenson, Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management and Project Sponsor, concluded: “This is an exciting, creative project for the University which, after two years of work, will now revitalise and improve our learning environment.

“We are pleased that our partner Morris & Spottiswood is providing the excellent support that we need to deliver our vision and that they share our commitment to ensuring the QMU environment is a happy, productive and enjoyable place to be.”

QMU graduate is Employer Apprentice of the Year

Lisa Walsh, a student who graduated from Queen Margaret University (QMU) in July, has been awarded the Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) Apprentice of the Year Award.

Lisa received the accolade after four years on QMU’s Graduate Apprenticeship BA (Hons) Business Management course, which she completed while continuing to accelerate her career.

As a result of participating in the programme, Lisa was able to enhance her business skills and in-depth knowledge and apply them in her workplace, which in turn, helped her thrive at SSE, where she continued to improve and climb the corporate ladder.

She also received this year’s Dean’s List prize for her high course achievements within the Business, Enterprise and Management division at QMU.

Lisa said: “The Graduate Apprenticeship has been a genuinely life changing opportunity for me. As an adult learner I had been out of formal education for nearly 20 years, and it was quite daunting to take the step back into learning.

“However, the experience I have had at QMU has been amazing. Although challenging, having an employer who believed in me and the fantastic support from QMU, has made this an experience I will never forget – for all the right reasons. My confidence has grown, and I am grateful for the career opportunities this has given me. Thank you QMU and SSE!”

Fitting into work commitments, QMU’s Graduate Apprenticeship degree provides a practical and integrated way to develop expertise with a current employer, who will benefit from having a more highly skilled employee.

The programme helps apprentices learn the higher-level management skills that companies will need, and consolidates that knowledge with real-life work experience.

Now in a major role as Learning Systems and Services Manager at the multinational energy company, Lisa’s award highlights her ambition and motivation to continue her studies alongside her full-time employment.

On the day of Lisa’s graduation from QMU, she celebrated with her family and classmates at an impressive ceremony held in Edinburgh’s beautiful Usher Hall, attended by QMU’s Chancellor and TV presenter Dame Prue Leith CBE. Lisa was one of 1300 students who graduated in person from Queen Margaret University across three ceremonies in July.

Dr Lynn Waterston, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Business Management Graduate Apprenticeship, said: “Lisa is an outstanding student, and the award is testament to the hard work and dedication that she has shown throughout the course, as well as her employer and the teaching team who work to ensure the success of the graduates on the programme.”

The SSE Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to apprentices at Modern and Graduate levels during Scottish Apprenticeship Week each year. Lisa was awarded with her accolade in March 2024 at a formal, online event.

Judy Preece, Apprenticeship Performance & Quality Manager for SSE, said “Lisa thoroughly deserved to win the Apprentice of the Year Award. The award not only recognised her dedication and commitment to her studies, but also how her career has developed as a result of Lisa’s continued desire to succeed.

“As a large employer, we are proud to support the Graduate Apprenticeship pathway – it is one of our key learning pathways used to develop our future workforce to support our journey to net zero.”

Nursing graduate recognised with palliative care award from St Columba’s Hospice

A new nursing graduate from Queen Margaret University (QMU) has gained recognition for her sensitive and compassionate care of people near end of life with an award from St Columba’s Hospice Care.

Ailsa Timoney, who graduated with Master of Nursing from QMU in July this year, was presented with the St Columba’s Hospice Care Palliative Care Nursing Award.

Twenty-six-year-old Ailsa from Edinburgh undertook a 10-week placement at St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh, as part of her QMU degree course.

She was surprised how much she enjoyed the placement at the hospice, as she anticipated that it would be a really sad experience. However, she found the work really rewarding, so much so that she would consider moving into a palliative care position at some point during her career.

Ailsa said: “Working at St Columba’s wasn’t what I had expected. It was really fulfilling to be able to provide a good level of person centred care to each individual patient, and I know this really helped the individual, as well as their families, in the journey towards end of life.”

Discussing her university experience, she said: “I really enjoyed being a student at QMU – everyone is so supportive and friendly, and it’s such a welcoming community. The four-year undergraduate master’s course was both challenging and very worthwhile, and the academics and the degree prepared me well for entering the nursing workforce. I received great support from staff. There was always someone available to help and guide me through the course.

“I’m thrilled to have received the award from St Columba’s Hospice Care – it’s such a special place and I learned so much on my placement with the team there. I’m now excited to be coming into the nursing profession and starting my role as a community nurse.”

Georgios Tsigkas, Programme Leader for the Master of Nursing course at Queen Margaret University, said: “This award recognises the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism that Ailsa demonstrated throughout the full four years on the course.

“She is a great ambassador for our nursing programme, and through her work and attitude she epitomises the values of QMU in wanting to make a difference to the lives of others.”

Ruth Magowan, Head of The Division of Nursing at QMU, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with St Columba’s Hospice Care, which is the first University Hospice in the east of Scotland.

“Our partnership aims to enhance the delivery of person-centred palliative care through integrated research, teaching and clinical practice, and we are delighted that Ailsa has been able to benefit from her time with Hospice, and proud that her attitude and hard work have been recognised by the team there.

“Ailsa has proved to be an exceptional student and we know that she will go out into the nursing workforce and make a very positive contribution to person-centred care. The Hospice award is the icing on the cake for Ailsa, and gets her career off to a flying start!”

QMU Graduate launches West Lothian Film Festival

Christopher McPhillips, a BA (Hons) Film and Media student who graduated from Queen Margaret University (QMU) in July, has received an award of £2,250 to launch the annual West Lothian Film Festival, which will be making its debut this weekend.

Made possible by an extended partnership between QMU and Santander Universities, the inaugural festival will take place on the 20th and 21st July 2024 at the Vue cinema in Livingston, with many of the films produced by QMU students and graduates, or filmed at the University itself.

This festival, which was born from the dreams of its film enthusiast founder with a passion to transform his idea into a tangible reality, aims to embody Christopher’s commitment to bridging the gap between aspiring filmmakers and the enthusiastic audiences who welcome a new cultural experience.

Thirty-nine-year-old Christopher said: “The West Lothian Film Festival will offer a cinematic experience to be remembered, bringing drama, creativity, and local connections together. It serves as a rallying point for filmmakers and residents alike – a celebration of the power of silver screen storytelling.

“Being from Bathgate myself, I know the significantly positive impact events like these will have on West Lothian and its residents, and this honestly wouldn’t have been made possible without the support I received from Queen Margaret University and the extra stability that was invested in me by Santander Universities.

“The fund allowed me to organise the venue, source the judging panel and other volunteers, initiate the marketing, and so much more. I’m proud that our festival can now be the platform that has been yearned for in West Lothian for so long.”

Each year since 2007, Santander has donated funds accumulating to more than £1.5 million to its inaugural partner, Queen Margaret University, to help with student success and progression.

The main aim of the partnership is to provide support for students who are most likely to face challenges when attending higher education. Santander’s support focuses on education, employability and entrepreneurship – helping to fund student start-ups, scholarships, internships and international educational experiences.

Not having the necessary grades to apply for university while at school, Christopher decided to return to education in 2021, driven by his new-found love of film production, encouragement from his wife (who was also a QMU graduate), and the desire to inspire his newborn daughter.

He decided to study Marketing Communications at West Lothian College, which then allowed him to directly transfer into the second year of the BA (Hons) Film and Media course at Queen Margaret University – providing him with new skills and a renewed drive to progress his dreams.

It was there that he cultivated the idea for a festival in his local area that would celebrate the world of film.

When one of his University lecturers informed him of the possible support available from the Santander Universities’ Fund, he could visualise his dreams turning into reality. His application was successful, and after a lot of hard work, Christopher’s plans for the first West Lothian Film festival began to take shape.

Thomas Kelly, Head of Development and Alumni at Queen Margaret University, said: “Our partnership with Santander Universities is key to enhancing the opportunities our students receive whilst at QMU.

“This support will not only help Christopher to achieve one of his ambitions but will also allow the people of West Lothian to enjoy a new cultural festival within their area. I’d like to thank Santander Universities for their continued support, and I wish the best of luck to Christopher – we are looking forward to seeing what you go on to achieve.”

On the day of Christopher’s graduation from QMU, he celebrated with his family and classmates at an impressive ceremony held in Edinburgh’s beautiful Usher Hall, attended by QMU’s Chancellor and TV presenter Dame Prue Leith CBE. Christopher was one of 1300 students who graduated in person from Queen Margaret University across three ceremonies in July.

Matt Farnham, a lecturer at West Lothian College who Christopher has asked to be a judge at the event, said: “For years, I have wanted to offer West Lothian the opportunity to showcase its creativity to the world.

“As an educator, you want nothing more than to inspire your students; I just didn’t realise how inspired Christopher would be. To be invited to judge the competition is an absolute honour, and I cannot wait to see entries from across the globe.

“I know that every film entry has had thousands of hours of love poured into it, and I cannot wait to get started.”

Find out more about the West Lothian Film Festival, visit:

https://westlothianfilmfestival.scot/

Dame Prue Leith visits Edinburgh Innovation Hub

Last week, Dame Prue Leith, TV judge, entrepreneur and Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, took a tour of the construction site where the Edinburgh Innovation Hub is being developed on the land around the University campus.

A joint venture between East Lothian Council and Queen Margaret University (QMU) and funded by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, the new Hub will be made up of flexible laboratory, office and fully equipped meeting and conference spaces for rent.

The facilities and close proximity to the University aims to help attract high growth, small and medium sized enterprises, which may benefit from support from and collaboration opportunities with Queen Margaret University.

Dame Prue Leith, who was in Edinburgh for Queen Margaret University’s graduation ceremonies, was on site to see how the ambitious partnership project was developing, and to learn more about how the Innovation Hub, supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government and £10 million from East Lothian Council through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, is bolstering enterprise and economic development.

The Deal is supported with £300 million funding from the UK Government and £300 million funding from the Scottish Government.

Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, explained: “We are very excited to see the Edinburgh Innovation Hub starting to take shape in the ground around the University, and to give our Chancellor, Prue Leith, a glimpse into the future.

“Essentially, the 7,200 sqm Hub will bring together research, industry and academia under one roof. The focus is to support businesses that are driven by innovation, knowledge exchange and technology, so that Hub is perfect for attracting businesses which want to grow, and which will generate employment opportunities for others.”

“Along with driving economic development locally and nationally, the Hub will act as a gateway into QMU for businesses, increase opportunities at the University for industry-relevant research and knowledge exchange, promote an entrepreneurial culture, and increase the vibrancy of the area around the campus.

“The Hub is not just a new building, it will be a new business.”

Dame Prue Leith said: “Seeing the site under construction gives you a real appreciation for the thought, imagination, planning, skills, and ambition which is required to create an innovation hub, drawing on the very best practice around.

“As I know from experience, it’s not easy to start and grow a business from scratch. So, I am delighted to see that the Hub will offer more than just physical facilities – it will provide the help, advice and support, and the like-minded business community that start-up and small enterprises need to flourish. I am convinced that in years to come many entrepreneurs will have the Hub to thank for their success.”

The Edinburgh Innovation Hub is supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government and £10 million from East Lothian Council as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (ESES City Region Deal).