GCU The magazine for graduates andfriendsofGlasgow CaledonianUniversity ALUMNI Alumnus Murray Rowden talks abouthis time at GCU and constructing a career time atGCUandconstructing acareer A first for GCUinNew York - Welcome to America in New York - Rowden Murray Murray Pages 4-5 Pages 6-7

Winter 2017 Welcome Contents

Welcome to the 2017 4 Welcome to America – a first for GCU in New York issue of GCU’s The Big Picture GCU given degree-granting authority in New York State! Alumni Magazine in 6 GCU alumnus constructs a career in New York what has been a Scots artist Gerard M Burns was on campus to exhibit his portraits Murray Rowden discusses his time at GCU and how he is landmark year for of Sir Billy Connolly, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the constructing a career in New York. Glasgow Caledonian University’s Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, alongside University (GCU). In paintings of a host of celebrated Scots. 8 Highlights of the year a groundbreaking An important year for the University at home and abroad. move, GCU is the first 9 Busy times at GCU foreign higher Reunions and events in Glasgow, London and New York. education institution to be granted a charter by New York State 10 STEM formula equals success Board of Regents to become a degree- GCU honorary graduate Anne-Marie Imafidon on how to granting body in the city, and we were encourage girls to study STEM subjects. thrilled to welcome the first 16 students 12 Working with business is like being handcuffed to a through the doors earlier this year. This rocket year also saw the completion of our Heart GCU alumnus Brian Williamson on how serious illness of Campus project that has transformed our encouraged him to speed up rather than slow down. Glasgow campus by providing innovative new student spaces whilst contributing to 14 Honoured by GCU GCU’s sustainability initiatives. In this year’s issue, you can read more Leaders from health, philanthropy, engineering and about these initiatives, as well as exclusive STEM honoured at graduation ceremonies. interviews with honorary graduates Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and Brian 17 Making their mark Williamson. We tell you about how Sir Alex Meet the recipients of GCU's Lifetime Achievement Ferguson CBE and his celebrity friends, Award and Alumnus of the Year. including Walter Smith and John Hartson, 18 Impact in the field managed to raise over £78,000 for the Meet GCU’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Glasgow Caledonian University Foundation. Professor Cam Donaldson. You will also read about the successes that led five of our alumni to become 20 Beyond the joke: how comedy set me free Lifetime Achievement and Alumnus of the Interview with Only an Excuse creator Phil Differ. Year recipients in 2017. 22 Should have gone to Glasgow Caledonian Your University continues to be here for Exclusive interview with founders of Specsavers. you so please do get in touch if we can help. We have created an online platform, GCU 24 Celebrating success Connect, which enables you to connect with Industry recognition at national and international level. former classmates, hire or get hired, mentor 26 Sir Alex Ferguson event changes the lives of students or be mentored and expand your Celebrity golf day raises vital funding. professional network. We also offer a variety of benefits on further study and 28 John really cuts the mustard venue hire, as well as corporate support for We catch up with former Magnusson Award winners. your business via CPD and Knowledge 30 Making a difference Transfer Partnerships. ScottishPower partner with Advanced Higher Hub. We are extremely grateful to our alumni 31 Banking on a brighter future with Santander and friends who share their time and GCU signs new agreement with Santander Universities. expertise helping to inspire our students, be it through guest lectures, placements or 32 Bringing our precious pictures back to life internships. Scottish tech firm breathes life into old photographs. We look forward to working with many 34 Stay Connected with your University more of you in the year ahead. Data protection law is changing, opt in to keep in touch.

Jillian Watt Written and designed by: Glasgow Caledonian University. Printed by: Sterling. Director, Glasgow Caledonian University Photography by: Peter Devlin, Malcolm Cochrane. © Glasgow Caledonian University 2017. Glasgow Caledonian University Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA Scotland, United Foundation, Alumni Engagement and Events Kingdom. +44 (0)141 331 3000 www.gcu.ac.uk [email protected]

02 03 INTERNATIONAL

Sir Alex Ferguson shares his The talk was moderated by Sir lessons in leadership at GCNYC Michael Moritz KBE, a high-profile Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Honorary philanthropist, venture capitalist, and Welcome to America Graduate and Founding Donor to the author who teamed up with Sir Alex to Glasgow Caledonian University write the book: Leading: Learning from Foundation visited Glasgow Caledonian Life and My Time at Manchester New York College at a landmark stage United. of its development. Sir Alex said: "I am a committed - a first for GCU in During his visit he took time out to supporter of Glasgow Caledonian, deliver a Masterclass in leadership. a vibrant university which does Widely regarded as one of the most important research and changes the successful managers of all time, Sir Alex course of many young people's lives. explored the theme of leadership It is a huge pleasure to see the The MoMA’s new exhibition. New York indicating the links between effective University take a step forward with the leadership and long-term, launch of Glasgow Caledonian New Fair Fashion Center features In a groundbreaking move, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has been awarded a charter transformational success. York College.” in MoMA exhibition by New York State Board of Regents to become a degree-granting body in New York – the first The research of Glasgow foreign higher education institution to achieve this. Caledonian’s Fair Fashion Center (FFC) is a capping focal point of The Museum of Modern Art’s new exhibition, Items: Is Fashion Modern? n New York, a city renowned for its M.S. International Fashion Marketing developing economies, microfinance is The exhibit features 111 items of global role in business and fashion, Sharpen your profile in the fashion now expanding to the US and UK. I clothing and accessories that have been research indicated industry demand for industry by becoming an expert in instrumental in the 20th and 21st the University’s portfolio of research- 'profitable sustainability', and learn how Commenting on this historical centuries, continuing to hold currency based Masters-programmes in these successful global fashion marketing achievement, Principal and Vice- today. The FFC’s process, known as subjects with a core focus on relies upon the right answers to Chancellor Professor Pamela The Quantum Redesign of Fashion, sustainability and ethical business. questions of environmental and Gillies CBE FRSE said: has been interpreted through the lens Following the landmark decision in social impact. “Glasgow Caledonian of the pieces in the exhibit, forming June 2017, recruitment began to the University is a special place. research data that was visualized by inaugural Masters degree in M.S. Risk Management We are a forward-looking, acclaimed information designer Giorgia International Fashion Marketing and, Become a highly competitive candidate socially entrepreneurial and Lupi. Ms. Lupi beautifully translated despite the tight turnaround, Glasgow for opportunities in NYC and across the truly international University. the information into an aesthetically Caledonian New York College (GCNYC) world. Launch or advance your career in I am absolutely thrilled that compelling mural visualization staff found a very healthy demand for risk management, risk analysis, risk we now have the design, extending over three walls. the programme and were thrilled to coordination, insurance and business opportunity to build The exhibition will be open to the welcome the first cohort of 16 students continuity management. upon our new research and public October 1, 2017 through to the programme in September 2017. business relationships in January 28, 2018. Recruitment has already begun for M.S. Social Business and Microfinance New York to deliver our “We are thrilled to be a part of the 2018 intake which will include a With a Masters in Social Business and unique programmes, such an important exhibition and further two new Masters programmes Microfinance you can be a part of real which focus on fair conversation,” said GCNYC Vice that can be completed in 12 months social change. Already a proven model fashion, fair finance Pictured: Professor Pamela Gillies, Sir Alex Ferguson and Cara Smyth. President and Fair Fashion Center (full-time) or 24 months (part-time): for helping people out of poverty in and sustainability.” Founder Cara Smyth. “We are so grateful to MoMA for offering a venue and space to celebrate fashion’s history GCU alumni are eligible for a 10% discount on all programmes at GCNYC. as well as the innovation of its future, including a shift in focus toward sustainability. Fashion is a microcosm of many industries, with vast links that span all the way from agriculture to the consumer. Correcting and healing the fashion industry will ultimately cure more than just its own impacts—it will provide a model for every industry to become a respectful and regenerative eco-system.”

04 05 ALUMNI FEATURE And finally, we have a small Executive Looking back, what advice would offered me the mix of classroom and Board all of whom live and are based in you give your 18-year-old self? work experience. What I have the UK. We felt it was time for a I sought out guidance on what I should subsequently realised is that the course member of the Executive Board to be study and where I should study. That you select is likely to offer you wider located outside of the UK. said, I had a strong conviction of what opportunity than you first think. I am Constructing a career was right for me and I have never biased, but to study in Glasgow is to How is it living in New York? regretted that I selected a course that study in the greatest city in the world! I live in Manhattan with my wife Phyllis who I married straight after graduating from GCU. New York is a fun and in New York intensive city. It is creative, a hive of energy and truly cosmopolitan. All the Alumnus Murray Rowden talks about his time at GCU and his career leading a major things that I love. It affords great opportunity for the services my construction consultancy in New York. company provides. It also has strong Scottish history and is very respectful of the influence Scottish people have What did you want to be when home, my flat was always a great crash Excellence a UK industry membership played in the development of both the you were growing up? pad after a night out. I was the class organisation. I am a great believer in not city and the USA as a nation. All in all a social convenor and even if I say so only making the business you work for Apart from the usual very young strong cocktail for fun and success on myself, we had some great parties and successful but also contributing to the childhood dreams, I was always a personal and a business front. events. It sounds slightly swotty but I development of the industry you work interested in creativity whether that be fashion or construction. I wanted to be must confess I loved the library. I guess in. I now have a dual role heading up Have you had a chance to visit part of creating things that would be all in all I enjoyed living and studying in Turner & Townsend’s Americas region our new campus in New York? there for a number of years that people the city and the people who I was as well as Global Head of Infrastructure. I have visited the campus. It is would use. blessed to have met and studied with. I am a member of the company’s located in a great part of town and is Executive and Management Boards. What made you choose to study What have you taken from your a testament to the foresight of the at GCU? time studying at GCU? Can you tell us a bit more about University. I had the pleasure of being invited to lunch there with Sir Alex I am delighted and proud to see how the your current position? I was in a band and the older brother of Ferguson and the great Scottish University has grown but still holds to In my Americas regional role, I head up one of the band members studied at photographer Harry Benson. It was an the goal of creating an opportunity for our business in North and South GCU doing the course I elected to take. I honour and privilege to be in their people and getting them into America. We have 20 offices in the had good Higher grades and I had the company and to see the great work the employment. My mission in life is to region located in 7 countries. As the points to study at the “established” University is doing. I am also a member give people a chance and help them to leader of the region, I am responsible for Universities but I wanted to study a of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) realise their potential and ambitions. setting and executing our business vocational degree and they did not offer and I was delighted to see work That is what we believe in at Turner & strategy. In my role as Global Head of what I was looking for. I wanted to go undertaken by GCU on display in an Townsend as we strive to create a great Infrastructure, I continue to support the into business and I got the sense that exhibition there. place to work. I learned that from a other regions in growing their business GCU would make me a good business person. It was a place that was combination of my parents and GCU. in the sector. The Executive Board of the What’s next for Murray? grounded with an unrelenting focus on business ultimately set out our The growth of the Americas business is making graduates readily employable. I How did your career develop overarching strategy and deal with a a project that has a good number of like that as both a person and now as an after GCU? range of matters such as admittance of years in it. This role offers me further employer. I also love Glasgow as a city. I A GCU lecturer introduced me to Turner new Partners through to mergers and learning opportunity as well as personal am always telling my colleagues around & Townsend and they employed me as acquisitions. I am based in New York fulfillment. I also see an opportunity to the world about the great people of a graduate. I have worked in our although I travel extensively throughout work with the University in New York to Glasgow and that it is the No. 1 City in Glasgow, Leeds, Amsterdam, London the region and globally. develop their presence here. I see there the world. I now live in New York which and New York offices, moving through a is a gap in the market for courses in Risk is No. 2, tied with London where I used number of leadership roles in the What led you to move to Management and Quantity Surveying. to live! business, including leading the UK New York? Beyond that, there is a big world Infrastructure sector business unit Three reasons. A priority in our business out there but I do still see What did you enjoy most about (currently over 1000 people are in that is to accelerate our growth in Americas myself coming back to life at the University / what was business unit) and then I became the and New York is the regional HQ. The Glasgow at some your greatest memory of GCU? Global Head of Infrastructure working second is that there is significant spend point and in with our regions to grow our business in in the Infrastructure sector and my I really enjoyed the mix of classroom some capacity. the sector. l was made a Partner of experience on projects such as and vocational study. At that time there were no halls of residence so I lived in a Turner & Townsend in 2000 when I was Heathrow Terminal 5 and Crossrail in student flat in the West End. As a good 32. I have also held industry positions the UK, lends itself to helping the number of my classmates lived at such as Chairman of Constructing business capitalise on this opportunity.

06 07 GCU HIGHLIGHTS Highlights of the year Busy times at GCU

Transforming the heart of We organise reunions and events throughout the year at our campuses in Glasgow, our campus London, New York, around the UK and internationally, ranging from information receptions, This year marked the completion of our masterclasses, class reunions and more. We can also help you to plan and arrange your Heart of Campus project. Transforming own reunions. our Glasgow Campus, the project has introduced exciting new elements to GCU’s estate, including a 500-seat Inspirational Alumni Speakers Stars turns out for MA TV International Alumni Events lecture hall and conference facility, a Four inspirational alumni shared their Stars of the stage and screen joined an More than 200 alumni have attended suite of stylish seminar rooms and a career experiences with students, event to celebrate eight years of the reception events across the globe. floor dedicated to Student Services, the staff and graduates during a special renowned GCU MA TV Fiction Writing Each offered an excellent opportunity Campus Life Lounge. event at GCU London. Supermodel programme. Awards were presented to meet GCU staff and network with Other new facilities include a Eunice Olumide, Global CEO of the for the best script and student, before fellow alumni as business contacts. contemporary restaurant, a student- Movember Foundation Owen Sharp, successful graduates shared their own From South East Asia to Canada, focused café and lounge, and a striking Entertainment Producer for This experiences during the evening at former graduates shared their glass pavilion, which provides a defined Morning at ITV Lisa Douglas, BBC Scotland. Stars of Still Game and memories of student life and caught point of entry to the campus. Outdoor and Director of TBIAS Charles van actor Gary Lewis joined GCU Cultural up with the latest news from GCU. space has also been revitalised with Oppen offered valuable advice at Fellow, theatre legend Juliet Cadzow, Keep your contact details up-to-date three landscaped courtyard gardens, this entertaining event. at the event. for future invitations in your region. while connections between buildings, and accessibility routes have been improved.

League tables and GCU Building capacity in South Africa leading academics work alongside Times Higher Education ranked GCU As the University for the Common health staff to tackle key health with a position of ‘101-150’ in the world's Good, GCU extended its commitment challenges. Calum Campbell, Chief 200 under 50 Rankings 2017, which to build capacity and skills in Africa Executive NHS Lanarkshire said: “It is fantastic news for patients. rates the world’s best universities under as founding academic partner of the GCU Afternoon Tea the age of 50. It’s the first time GCU African Leadership College in Mauritius. As our population grows older, has ranked and highlights the strides it More than 170 students have we need new ways of working to GCU hosted an afternoon tea for alumni of founding institutions The Queen’s College and The Glasgow and West of Scotland has taken as an institution, particularly progressed to GCU-led honours degree meet their needs. Partnering with GCU College of Domestic Science, affectionately known as the Dough School. in research and international activity. programmes following completion of affirms our commitment to taking Our employability was also a foundation year. an innovative approach to improving Alumna Helen Vass, winner of BBC’s Bake Off: Crème de la Crème, treated 80 former students to her signature pastries. highlighted this year with more than The University has also signed a services to address these challenges.” They came together to celebrate Dough School alumna Elaine Acaster’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her services to five-year strategic partnership to higher education. provide qualifications to employees Educational opportunities for all of Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa’s The University’s Advanced Higher Hub largest freight rail company. Sector- is a widening access initiative for specific railway operations management sixth-year pupils who achieved a pass programmes have been developed in rate of 88% this year. Four subjects partnership with the University of achieved 100% pass rates. The initiative 97% of GCU students in work or Johannesburg. was shortlisted for a ScottishPower further study six months after Foundation Award in the Education graduation, according to annual University hospital status Partnership Category. employment performance indicators. agreed for NHS Lanarkshire The findings, which place GCU above A landmark partnership between GCU the UK and Scottish averages of 94% and NHS Lanarkshire will bring benefits and 95% respectively, reflect its for patients, students and academics. industry-informed curriculum and The partnership will create three links with employers. University hospitals and see world-

08 09 INTERVIEW STEM formula ≥ ≠ ∏ ≤÷ equals success From Child Prodigy to MBE and STEM Advocate, Anne-Marie Imafidon talks about her drive to encourage girls to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.∞ } + = ~ % √ √ % CU honorary graduate and founder “The older I got, the more external “There are five points we normally Gof award-winning social enterprise opportunities there were. I think it’s tell young women and girls when talking Stemettes, Anne-Marie Imafidon hopes fantastic that Glasgow Caledonian about STEM as a career. First, it’s the promise of fun, food and freebies University is putting in the ground work altruistic. Secondly, you generally get will help revolutionise girls’ attitudes to encourage girls into STEM. That’s the paid well. There is virtually no gender to careers in science, technology, hallmark of an organisation that is pay gap at the beginning. In fact, young engineering and maths. serious about trying to change the women working in STEM on average get « It was another F word – formulas status quo.” paid up to 30 per cent more than – that attracted Anne-Marie herself to women not working in STEM fields. the field. “There’s free swag! You get a lot of Anne-Marie, who has been awarded It's about engaging free stuff working in industry. You go to an MBE for services to young women tech conferences and always get cool and STEM, was just 11 when she and meeting freebies such as games and music. ∑ became the youngest girl ever to pass There’s free food! This is a big part of people { A-level computing and at 20, she “ the tech-industry culture. Google, for became one of the youngest women to Stemettes was established in early example, always have free food on tap be awarded a Masters Degree in 2013 to encourage girls to careers in in all their offices. Bloomberg has a Mathematics and Computer Science by Science, Technology, Engineering and whole pantry, so even if you’re just there Oxford University. Mathematics through a series of events for a meeting, there is free food She said: “I was drawn to maths and and opportunities such as mentoring, everywhere. And, finally, you can IT from a young age, as I always wanted workshops and conferences, and it has generally wear what you want. to understand how things - how worked with around 15,000 girls and “We hope that all girls will be able to formulae - work. I can never sit still, so it young women across the UK, Ireland make informed decisions about careers was a nice way to learn more and do and Europe. Around 95 per cent of them in STEM so that eventually, women can more, whether it be maths or say they are more interested in STEM be proportionally represented in the understanding different contexts and subjects after attending just one event. field, so that you have 30 per cent plus the logic of all things. With computer “People have a misconception of of the UK’s STEM workforce being science, it was about the creativity, stereotypical careers like mechanics or female, as opposed to just 21 per cent.” being able to make things and knowing maths teachers, but the industry is And for the Head of Stemette, lines of code. actually quite diverse,” said Anne- changing the face of STEM all comes “I got involved mainly through Marie. “Women in particular tend not to back to those F words. “At Stemettes, school, at least at primary level, as associate STEM fields with creativity our core formula has always stayed the there were no external initiatives. Back and altruism but STEM is all about same; everything we do is free, it’s then it was more about enjoying being helping people and solving problems. always fun and there’s always food. It’s on the computer at home on my You are able to be really creative while about engaging and meeting people, own as opposed to through an you’re doing that, but often people and in five years, we have never needed organised activity. assume creativity comes from the arts. to change that.”

10 11 ALUMNI FEATURE Working with business is like being handcuffed to a rocket GCU alumnus and honorary graduate Brian Williamson tells Lynn McGarry how serious illness encouraged him to speed up rather than slow down.

Being diagnosed with cancer was valuing it at £12m, which was enjoyable, vibrant time and my links to “the best thing that could have fantastic considering its humble GCU and this institution’s people have happened to me,” says Brian beginnings. been like Velcro ever since. That's why I Williamson, a GCU alumnus and “When I became ill, I realised, for me, am delighted and feel privileged to have entrepreneur who has been helming that job would never be done, never be been awarded an honorary degree by successful businesses for more than big enough, never be at the end of its GCU. Considering my background three decades. journey to perfection. I looked around at started in a tenement, the son of a “It sounds strange,” he smiles, “but, other businesses and decided that waitress and a foundryman it is an when you shake hands with death, it there’s a life of opportunity out there honour to be recognised by MY focuses what you want to do. You learn and I shouldn’t be thinking how do I University. Famed for its social inclusion not to hang happiness on a future event wind down, but how do I wind up. So, I agenda, GCU is an institution with such as retiring, but to find it in the here embarked on a plan to recruit a new which I will always be both proud and and now. That shift change in my privileged to be associated." mindset made me appreciate what I Another “wonderful accident” led had, not what I didn’t have and made You get sucked in, Brian from a career as an employee to me think ‘what do I really want to do?’” it’s like a drug “the rollercoaster” life of an To his surprise, what he really entrepreneur. wanted to do was not fast-track that “Jumpstart CEO to allow me more time “After college, I joined WPL’s elusive retirement “to play golf or watch … more time to build and grow other graduate programme and became its TV”, but to get hands-on in nurturing businesses. For me, that’s fun." youngest ever manager. That set my even more businesses. Brian’s professional journey began at career on a fast upward curve. I saw it as “I don’t see business as work. I like one of GCU’s founding institutions, a door opener and secured my first MD business the way someone might enjoy Glasgow College of Technology, in 1973. job at 26. I wanted to be the best a hobby. However, one of my businesses “My dad was a foundryman in Weir employee I could, but I was caught by an − Jumpstart − was consuming a large Pumps Limited (WPL), so engineering opportunity to become an entrepreneur part of my life,” Brian says. was in my family. I was interviewed by when a factory I worked for was small way, I can live in eternity through And Brian has unexpected advice devices, TV channels, outside activities “Jumpstart is a business I met a few Weir and they suggested a Higher consolidating with another. I couldn’t the knowledge and wisdom that l pass for students who fancy taking up that the choice to sit and do nothing months after it started trading. It was a National Diploma in Mechanical leave the workforce so, at 38, I became on to the generations behind me. I hope that baton. doesn’t hit your agenda. To me, couple of guys in an attic flat with a Engineering. I actually went to a an entrepreneur. It started almost by to build their enthusiasm and belief “You need to be able to juggle, creativity is about space and time. fridge, a coffee machine and little else. different college to start the course and, chance. Every business I've been system, but I want to learn from a new multi-task like there’s no tomorrow, but That’s a challenge for younger Despite having little experience, no on the morning I arrived, I was told I involved with has been a wonderful generation, too. I have worked with the most important things are building businesses. We had space and time to money and being at the start of a deep would have to go elsewhere as the accident. I've never looked back.” businesses that are like being relationships and trust − and be creative, they have to make time to recession, I really liked the business and course was cancelled! I could either go Now Brian is looking forward to handcuffed to a rocket. You get sucked dreaming. Dreaming is fundamental. continue Scotland’s legacy of creativity invested time, effort and money. Within to Glasgow or Napier. I got on a train to supporting GCU’s entrepreneurial in, it’s like a drug and a large part of your There’s not so much space for and innovation. two years, it was the fastest growing Glasgow and, before we knew it, we students, as well as nurturing young life. Now, I don’t need to be hands on, dreaming today. Years ago I could sit “The entrepreneurial world offers SME in Scotland and, in 2014, we were in class at GCT. I call it my businesses. “Although eternal life is not it’s like a relay race. I’m passing the and wonder how I would change how a amazing opportunities. You just have to secured investment in the business wonderful accident. It was a really possible, there is a chance, in some baton to someone with more energy.” factory ran, but now we have so many know if it’s right for you.”

12 13 SUMMER GRADUATIONS Honoured by GCU Leading figures from the worlds of health, philanthropy and engineering joined more than 2,900 students at GCU’s summer graduation ceremonies this year.

ward-winning Scottish “I have been following my camera. I Having left school at just 13 years old, Aphotographer Harry Benson CBE learned very quickly that the camera will Benson was delighted to be receiving an was one of the special guests honoured do what you tell it,” said Benson. Honorary Doctorate as his headmaster’s by GCU during the University’s summer Benson has photographed key graduations in July. moments of the 20th and 21st centuries, Ahead of receiving an Honorary including marching with Dr Martin Degree of Doctor of Letters from the Luther King Jr during the Civil Rights University, Benson visited the campus for Movement and Robert Kennedy’s a digital screening of his early assassination. He is the only photographic works. photographer who has pictured the last Benson, originally from Glasgow, 12 US Presidents from President began his career at the Hamilton Dwight D. Eisenhower to President words still ring in his ears, ‘there’s Advertiser before moving to the Daily Donald J. Trump. nothing we can do with him!’ Sketch. He scooped what he describes as On returning to his hometown to pick Harry was introduced by University the ‘story of his life’ with his exclusive up his most recent accolade, Benson Secretary and Vice-Principal interview with mass murderer Peter admits that he had to leave Glasgow in Governance, Jan Hulme, who called him Manuel. He then moved to join London’s order to succeed in his career. an artist of integrity. Fleet Street. In 1964, he photographed a “Glasgow wasn’t the place I wanted to He said: “I want to thank those that young breakthrough band called The get out of. I wanted to stay and make my helped me and those that didn't. I've had Beatles and captured the band having a living here. I’m not talking about making a wonderful life chasing a camera, pillow-fight, which became an iconic a name. I just wanted to have a good following it, and trying to put it in image of their early years. living in Glasgow but I couldn’t do it.” interesting places.”

Doug and Dame Mary Perkins DBE are the Jerry White, who founders of Specsavers, the world's largest received an private optician chain, selling more than 19 Honorary Degree million pairs of glasses and 400 million of Doctor of Laws, contact lenses each year from nearly 2,000 launched the stores in 10 countries. Specsavers has Landmine raised more than £5 million across the Survivors Network world for charities and good causes. The − later Survivor Corps − with Steve Begg, who received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering, has been in the film couple received an Honorary Degree of co-founder Ken Rutherford. Working industry for nearly 30 years, working on visual effects for television shows, commercials and major Doctor of Science. closely with the late Princess Diana, feature films, amassing a list of credits including Aliens, Tomb Raider, Batman, Kingsman and and then King Hussein and Queen Casino Royale, Skyfall and Spectre. Steve revealed how he grew up in an Edinburgh council house “a Noor of Jordan to address the million miles away from Hollywood”. However, he wasn't deterred from his ambition and taught Boyd Multerer is a software developer who played a key humanitarian crisis caused by tens himself the basics of animation and visual effects which laid the foundations of his career. He said: role in the foundation of Xbox Live and the development of of millions of mines buried in more “Never give up on your end goal. I didn't, and now I'm doing what I always dreamed of.” the operating systems for Microsoft’s globally successful than 80 countries, he shared in the home-gaming consoles, Xbox One and Xbox 360. He has 1997 Nobel Prize for Peace awarded been hailed by Microsoft as Xbox's ‘father of invention’. He to the International Campaign to Ban Georg Kell, recipient of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, is the founder and former Executive received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering. Landmines. He told students that Director of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability Boyd told students that “the future belongs to those who "life is a minefield" before sharing initiative with over 12,000 corporate signatories in more than 170 countries. Georg said: “One of the see it coming”, before recounting his own experiences upon graduation. He his five-step recipe for survival, beauties of life is that you don’t know what’s around the corner – you may hit a wall but you may find said: “There are two things you should all now do. Make sure you do advising students to face facts, sunshine, even on a rainy day. Never forget that what connects us as human beings is stronger than something you’re passionate about, but make sure that you also solve the choose life, reach out, get moving, what divides us. The enemy is us, but it is more rewarding to build something than destroy it. Also problems people care about.” and give back. remember that ideas are the most powerful gift we have. Follow yours.”

15 14 WINTER GRADUATIONS ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT Honoured by GCU Making their mark GCU celebrated the achievements of two leading STEM ambassadors, a foremost economist, a We meet the recipients of GCU’s Alumni Lifetime Achievement and Alumnus of the Year climate-justice campaigner, a successful entrepreneur and public health professor at our winter awards, an annual honour that celebrates the successes and contributions of graduates. graduation ceremonies this year. Dika Odum 2017 GCU Alumnus of the Year Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE In recognition of his significant early Women-in-STEM Ambassador career achievements Doctor of Science MSc Energy and Environmental In recognition of her outstanding and inspiring Management 2015 contribution to social enterprise in the form of the ‘Stemettes’ initiative, an award-winning Since his career began, Dika has been social enterprise inspiring the next generation caring for the environment. He is the of females into Science, Technology, Managing Director Engineering and Mathematics roles. of Nigeria’s Marie Macklin CBE Kherithdum Ltd, 2017 Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award Winner which supports In recognition of her Outstanding Contribution to Business and Entrepreneurship corporate training Dr Susan Scurlock Brian Williamson BA Business Studies 1990 in environmental CEO Primary Engineering Chairman, Miigen management and Doctor of Engineering Doctor of Business Administration Marie Macklin CBE is Executive Chair of Macklin Enterprise Partnerships, a energy efficiency. In recognition of her outstanding contribution In recognition of his outstanding holding company that is building a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurial business as a STEM ambassador for future support to start-up ventures and and investment funds. generations of young engineers, together with entrepreneurship together with his Josh Cottrell her work in establishing Primary Engineer generous support for GCU’s 2017 GCU London Alumnus of the and significant contribution to the university Caledonian Club and student- Elaine Acaster OBE Year community of GCU. mentoring programmes. 2017 Alumni Lifetime Achievement In recognition of his significant early Award career achievements In recognition of her Outstanding MSc International Fashion Marketing Lady Susan Rice Contribution to Higher Education 2012 Chair, Scotland 2020 Climate Group Diploma in Dietetics 1967 Doctor of Laws Just four years after graduating from In recognition of her outstanding Elaine, who is now retired, reached a GCUL, Josh contribution to Scotland’s significant milestone in her career when co-founded economic development, she took up the role of Vice-Principal of successful clothing including her commitment to Strategy and Governance at the Royal Margaret Gibson OBE Veterinary College, making her the first brand FAM climate justice. 2017 Alumni Lifetime Achievement woman in the University’s history to Clothing. The Award secure the post. snowsports line In recognition of her Outstanding aims to bridge the Professor Mike Kelly Contribution to Business and gap between urban Professor Sir David Greenaway Senior Visiting Fellow, Institute of Public Entrepreneurship street fashion and Economist and retired Vice Health, University of Cambridge Diploma in Communications Studies 1992 the mountain. Chancellor Nottingham University Honorary Professorship and Lifetime Doctor of Science Achievement Award, GCU London Margaret Gibson OBE is the Scotland Hub Leader for the EY Foundation, she In recognition of his outstanding In recognition of his Nominations are open now for mentors people from disadvantaged contribution and leadership of the outstanding achievements in our alumni awards. If you would circumstances to support them in academy, and his fundraising for public health both in the UK like to nominate, visit setting up a business or finding the common good. and internationally. www.gcu.ac.uk/alumni/awards employment and a route to education.

16 17 RESEARCH Impact in the field As the top modern University in Scotland for research power, GCU is seeking to address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals via three major societal challenges of Inclusive Societies, Living Healthy Lives and Sustainable Environments.

Shaping the future of detection With funding from the College of and diagnosis of glaucoma Optometrists, GCU PhD researcher Researchers are developing an eye test Michelle Snowball, is trialling a they hope can be used to diagnose computer-based test that measures if glaucoma at an early stage. people can spot subtle differences Existing optometry tests often fail to between circles. The test has been pick up the eye condition until it reaches developed by GCU Professor of Visual a relatively advanced stage, by which Neuroscience Gunter Loffler and his time it has already caused significant colleagues Drs Graeme Kennedy and Gael Gordon. The research team is Tackling Mediterranean Just walking the dog helps older nerve damage. landslides, erosion and floods adults stay active Glaucoma covers a group of eye planning to test a range of patients CU’s new Vice Principal and conditions that mainly affect the − both those with glaucoma and A research team is establishing new Owning a dog may help older GPro-Vice Chancellor Research, elderly and can, if untreated, cause without − to determine if shape ways to use vegetation to help prevent adults to meet physical Professor Cam Donaldson is leading on permanent sight loss. Worldwide, it is perception is adversely affected by landslides, erosion and floods in activity levels recommended the development and implementation the leading cause of irreversible glaucoma. Mediterranean countries. by the World Health of GCU’s Research Strategy 2020. blindness. The test analyses the ability to spot An emerging research field, Organization, according to a Professor Donaldson, who also remains As it is associated with advancing differences between circles, some of ecological engineering, takes a holistic study by GCU, the University as the Yunus Chair in Social Business age, increasing life expectancy means which have a ‘deformed’ area, on a approach to incorporating soils, plants of Lincoln and WALTHAM and Health, has overseen a number of the number of patients requiring computer screen. Early lab trials have and water bodies into engineering Centre for Pet Nutrition. exciting research initiatives at the management of the condition is rising - proved promising, with the shape test design, to prevent and mitigate against The research, published in University. Here are just a few unsurprisingly, that’s putting a detecting glaucoma in both eyes of a natural disasters. It is viewed as more the open-access journal BMC examples of how GCU is delivering substantial burden on the health patient who believed it had only sustainable than the “hard” engineered Public Health, suggests that research with real impact. service. affected one of his eyes. solutions that currently dominate the health professionals could industry. encourage dog ownership or This project, funded by the European shared care of a dog to motivate Commission’s Erasmus + research older adults to be more physically programme, aims to explore the skills active. The researchers concluded gap in the industry for the first time in that owning a dog indicated a large, the history of the discipline, and will potential health improvement - with develop solutions, training and dog owners walking 22 more minutes educational programmes aimed at a day at a moderate pace. academia and professionals. GCU's Dr Philippa Dall, Senior The GCU team of researchers (Dr Research Fellow and lead researcher, Slobodan Mickovski, Reader in Civil and said: “Dog owners were found to walk Geotechnical Engineering; Dr Craig over 20 minutes more a day and this Thomson, Senior Lecturer in additional walking was at a moderate Sustainability Management and Dr pace. For good health, WHO Caroline Gallagher, Senior Lecturer in recommends at least 150 minutes of Geographical Information Systems) are moderate to vigorous physical activity a working with researchers in Spain, week. Over the course of a week, this GCU is the top modern university Portugal, Greece, Turkey, France, Italy, additional 20 minutes walking each day in Scotland for research power. To and Macedonia to integrate ecology and may in itself be sufficient to meet these find out more about research at engineering practices in a novel way to guidelines. Our findings represent a GCU and how you can get involved, combat the effects of climate change in meaningful improvement in physical contact [email protected] various Mediterranean regions. activity achieved through dog walking.”

18 19 ALUMNI FEATURE Beyond the joke: how comedy set me free

Earning an unexpected place on a communications course and learning to write jokes offered alumnus Phil Differ an escape route from the conventional career path at the Post Office. Sophie Thirkell finds out more. Phil on set during the filming of Only an Excuse in 2016.

he TV sketch show Only an He went to school in his hometown It was also a time for Phil to hone his He was like a kid who never really TExcuse? has had Scottish audiences of Kilsyth, where there were not only voice. He had already begun offering grew up.” in stitches for more than three decades. rigid rules but also teachers who looked freelance written work to shows such as Another big break came in 1983 Traditionally aired every Hogmanay, at life with tunnel vision. Writing jokes Naked Radio, and his pitching style was when Phil was promoted to the position the football-focused show began life on provided an unlimited escape to explore nothing less than persistent. of script editor. A few years later he the radio before finding its way onto TV his creativity. Phil recalls a comedic “Just get in there and do whatever pondered an initial idea that led to Only and the stage. awakening at the age of 10 while at the they’re looking for – just do it. If they an Excuse?, the show he would go on to Phil Differ, the show’s creator, is an butcher’s to pick up mince on a say, ‘I don’t like that kind’ then say ‘well, call his proudest professional alumnus of one of Glasgow Caledonian Saturday morning. He ran into a school what kind do you like?’ You just keep achievement. University’s founding institutions. He friend holding a copy of Valiant comic. going back and build from there. “We’d done a couple of football jokes graduated in 1982 from Glasgow “Look!” his friend boasted, “I’ve won a “You learn how to adapt, and then, on Naked Radio and it had gone down College of Technology (GCT) with an pound.” He then turned the pages and gradually, your confidence grows and well,” Phil says. “People didn’t expect to HND in Communications Studies. pointed to a joke with his name credited your reputation grows. Also, the way hear jokes about Celtic and Rangers. I Since then he has been to the forefront underneath. Something resonated in had no idea what I was doing but I had of writing and producing tongue in Phil right away: you can write jokes and a script so thick for just a half-hour cheek comedy such as A Kick Up the get paid for it! radio show. Eighties, Spitting Image, Not the Nine Fast forward to his early twenties, GCU changed my “It spawned cassettes, stage shows, O'Clock News, Naked Radio and Scotch and Phil was beginning to rebel life completely a television show and newspaper & Wry. Unlike his work, however, against his upbringing, to the horror of columns. Since it came from nothing, Phil’s background is rather his parents. “you look at things, the sharpness with that’s the thing I’m probably most conventional. He knew he did not want to pursue which you look at situations, you start proud of.” his tedious job with the Post Office, so to see the comedy in it more. You get After 14 years as a senior producer at wrote to the GCT to express an interest better and you find your own voice.” the BBC and subsequently the Comedy in the Communications Studies After graduating, Phil joined the BBC Unit, Scotland's top independent course, which encompassed TV, radio as an assistant producer working on production company responsible for and media. shows such as Naked Video, City Lights, shows such as Still Game and The Luckily there was a last-minute Rab C Nesbitt and Laugh??? I Nearly Karen Dunbar Show, a new love has dropout and Phil was invited to an Paid My Licence Fee, he gradually entered his life in which he writes jokes interview, before being offered a place earned his writing chops and more of for himself. For more than a decade Phil shortly after. his ideas made it onto the box. One of has been performing his own brand of “The entire first year I absolutely his star creations is Baldy Man, observational humour, packed with loved because I was coming from an Gregor Fisher’s bumbling character classic references and hilarious stories. environment where you just filled out who charmed his way onto Hamlet Donning a playwright’s hat is also a forms, took calls and dealt with people’s cigar adverts. relatively new experience for Phil and complaints, to suddenly analysing film Phil says that writing skits, such as his play Double Feature has premiered and television and writing sample those featuring the controversial Mason at the latest Edinburgh Fringe. And, he scripts. Ideas were flying out all over the Boyne, became easier once he was says, the ability to absorb inspiration place,” Phil says. allowed to mingle with the actors during and direction required for the job comes “It was the right decision for me, and filming. “Robbie Coltrane was always back to the skills he picked up in his I can honestly say that coming here on, always funny. Everything he did, studies. “I have no regrets, it was great,” when I did, changed my life completely.” there was a kind of twinkle in his eye. he says. ”I’d go back in a minute.”

20 21 INTERVIEW

pecsavers founders, Doug and perhaps unions like theirs have been say then we could have imagined how SDame Mary Perkins DBE, met while forged. far the business would develop.” Should have gone to studying optometry at Cardiff It is clear, in her eyes, that their The self-made entrepreneurs have University in the 1960s. greatest achievement is her long- never strayed far from their roots, Together they have built the world’s standing partnership with her husband choosing to remain in the four-bedroom largest private optical chain, Doug, in life and in business. “Always house they bought more than 30 years Specsavers, selling more than 19 million remember it is important to have the ago. It’s a family business too, with their Glasgow Caledonian pairs of glasses, 400 million contact support of families,” she advises her three children John, Julie and Cathy lenses, and operating in ten countries on-looking audience. choosing to work in the business side Roisin-Alana Di Giacomo talks to honorary graduates Doug and Dame Mary Perkins, founders with nearly 2,000 stores. Following their own graduation from rather than following in their parents’ Described as a power couple and Cardiff, the entrepreneurial pair took footsteps as optometrists. of Specsavers, about the opportunities awaiting students. listed on Britain’s rich list, which over Mary’s father’s practice and As the only University in Scotland to estimates their company’s worth at £1.6 launched their first business, offer optometry and ranked second in billion, the undoubtedly modest couple Bebbington and Perkins. By 1980, while the UK by the most recent Complete revolutionised eyecare with their juggling the demands of family life and University Guide, GCU’s School of joint-venture philosophy to deliver three children, they sold the practice for Health and Life Sciences has enjoyed a affordable choice and value for money, £2 million to the company firm bought strong partnership with the leading and demystify eyecare services for by Dolland & Aitchison, which was retailer. the public. enough to set them up for life. “If you’re an optics student, you are It was an idea that emerged from But instead of retiring on their walking straight into a really good job. plans drawn up on a makeshift ping- fortune, they spotted a niche in the There is a great shortage of optics pong table in their spare room and the market when regulations to advertise students. We employ a lot of GCU company has grown into one of Britain’s students and we are always looking for most successful brands, with one-in- more,” said Mary. three people in Britain donning their There is a great Her revelation that companies such spectacles. Its much-loved tagline, shortage of optics as Specsavers need more opticians to Should’ve gone to Specsavers, is now a cope with demand is good news for registered trademark and its adverts students graduate optometrists and the are legendary. “ newspapers are quick to print that the In recognition of their pioneering and optical services were lifted by the founders are warning of a shortage in innovative contributions to the Government of the day, and set about the marketplace. She acknowledges too, development of healthcare worldwide, bringing affordable glasses and contact that the success of Specsavers relies particularly in optometry, and to the lenses to the masses with the first upon graduates from beyond optometry educational support which they have Specsavers branch opening in Guernsey where business, marketing and retail provided to the University, Doug and in 1984. They now have 17.3 million students play a pivotal role in the global Mary joined students to receive an customers in the UK, 60% of which are success of Specsavers. Honorary Doctorate of Science for their from the NHS, and the company is the “It is a great honour to receive a outstanding contribution in the field of largest provider of free NHS digital Doctor of Science from GCU; it’s truly a science at this year’s summer hearing aids. It’s been a success story two-for-one! As an employer of more “ graduations. for the couple of relatively humble than 30,000 staff in the UK, education “I met my husband at university and beginnings, Mary, from a council estate heads up our requirements. From we’re still together. We’ve known each in Bristol, and Doug, the son of a apprentices to school students, college other 55 years and worked together for policeman. students to graduates from top over 50 years, that’s some Mary admits that they could never universities like GCU – you should feel achievement,” Dame Mary have envisioned their future when they very proud too of your University. proudly tells a packed were starting out. The secret to success “The University for the Common auditorium filled with she believes is getting the first step. She Good hits home with me. It’s about graduands, their families said: “The days are gone when you have helping others to be the best they can and friends at one job for life. I think when you have a be. That’s part of the Specsavers values Glasgow’s Royal passion for something, try to get the where we take learning and Concert Hall. It first step, even if it is not your ultimate development seriously for everyone to is a partnership dream job – it is a step. help them be at their best.” that started at “We started our own business From underneath her spectacles, and university and straight out of university, as soon as we with Doug by her side, she jests to the she quips to the were registered, and we had people audience that “it could be said, you audience that working for us – but it was impossible to Should’ve gone to GCU!”

22 23 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Celebrating success Our students continue to be our finest ambassadors, achieving success and industry recognition at national and international level. Here are just some examples from this year.

David Clarke, BA Social Work motivated by wanting to help the most first-class Learning Development Laura-Jane Howard, BA from Castlemilk, a partnership with Glasgow City Mission, vulnerable in society. So, despite my Centre. GCU genuinely wants you International Business and where we are working with staff and homeless people to initial plans, I’m delighted to now be to succeed. develop a jam-making social enterprise, and Bling a Ling, I was delighted to win the Bright Spark Human Resources category at the Scottish Social Services working with the council in such a where we work with people with learning disabilities to make Awards, which celebrate people who worthwhile role that has an impact on Management jewellery. work in social services in this country, people’s lives. My goal is to do a PhD One of the people we worked with on the jam-making and the UNISON Branch Top Male but the draw of social work is just too I was thrilled to win a Best Team Leader Award at Enactus project has already got a job in hospitality, directly because of Social Worker Award. great for the moment. UK’s National Competition and incredibly proud of our team, what he learned while making the jam – it built his confidence It’s amazing to be recognised, My wife and I now have two children which won an amazing five awards. and his career path. We make innovative flavours such as especially as I never intended to of our own, aged three and two, and Enactus is a global organisation which inspires students to strawberry and black pepper and are already stocked in a city become a social worker – it was actually have fostered a number of children improve the world through entrepreneurialism and its café. We hope to expand into making pasta sauces and run my passion for supporting young people while I have been studying. We are competitions showcase how students are transforming lives. pop-up restaurants. in care that motivated me to study a BA currently fostering a teenager, so it’s a Preparing for the contest and juggling course work was It’s so worthwhile. Social Work. busy home life. It’s mega challenging extremely stressful, but I love working with Enactus, it’s so Enactus has grown massively at GCU – this year we have I ran a business but never enjoyed it. but the rewards of fostering are so rewarding. impacted on at least 150 people’s lives, last year it was 20. It When I sold it, I thought I’d retire and, great. We have launched three projects – the Work Ready Action was inspiring to attend the competition and see the impact all with my wife, foster young people full- I couldn’t have done it without my Programme (WRAP), where students mentor school pupils the groups are having on people’s lives. time as we wanted to commit to helping wife’s support, but family or other people. It was challenging to switch off caring commitments shouldn’t be a though, so to inform my fostering barrier to studying. Yes it will be hard, Lyall Campbell, BSc Computer Games (Design) practice, I looked into studying. but if you have a burning desire, then The programme attracts very you will be supported at GCU. Support I entered the #MAKEITSUPERHOT move’ mechanic, which was definitely directly applying the knowledge and different people but we are all is always there – from lecturers to the global games design competition, going to be the main characteristic of skills gained throughout the course. which tasked game designers to my game. I wanted to avoid the Without it, the game would be far create a modification, add-on or shooting element from the start from what it is today. standalone game based on last year’s though, or something that might Damien Mullen, MA TV Fiction Writing hit game, Superhot. become too similar to the original I created a pizza-delivery game, game. I was writing my dissertation for an MA even to apply. I was dumbfounded to entitled Peer-2-Pizza. Throwing and catching became in TV Fiction Writing at GCU when I get onto the MA TV Fiction Writing The competition was organised by the base for my game, with the main was approached to write a script for the programme and be awarded a Warner website Mod DB and the developers goal of getting an object to a certain prestigious A Play, a Pie and a Pint Bros. scholarship – it was incredible not of the Superhot game, a unique place. As for the pizza idea, I was series at Glasgow’s Oran Mor. I was just to have that funding, but to have first-person shooter. Entries were using pizza as a silly placeholder overwhelmed, but it is the biggest the support of the world’s finest judged on playability, fun factor, object, which naturally got way out of opportunity for new writing talent in entertainment company. creativity and how much inspiration hand, leading to a silly game about Scotland, so I just had to go for it. It was Seeing my work staged for A Play, a had been drawn from the Superhot delivering pizza via computers and my ambition to write for the series by Pie and a Pint feels magical, though it is game itself. technology. the time I was 30 or 40, so to have my exhausting and a whirlwind. As well as landing a $5,000 prize, I My programme and its various play Hameldaeme performed at the age If you’re sitting in a job that’s not for received other goodies too, including modules at GCU, has been great for of 26 – I just can’t believe it. you wishing you could be writing, this is PC parts. Judges branded the game building up a broad knowledge of I have always been interested in the programme that makes you see “unique”. game development, allowing me to writing comedy and I had done stand there is a reason you’re here and that Superhot sells itself strongly on its build a practical set of skills. This up, so I looked at this programme and you will be shown how to achieve your brilliant ‘time-moves-when-you- competition was a great way of the people who had completed it, but I dream. You won’t get a better thought, I just don’t have the experience opportunity anywhere.

24 25 FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER Student beneficiaries were able to share their stories with Sir Alex personally as they accompanied him around the course.

One of those is 22-year-old GCU Social Environmental Civil Engineering don’t speak the same language and Sciences student Jayde, who admits she student James, 30, travelled to Malawi, build a rapport with them. Seeing how Sir Alex Ferguson could barely read or write until she was where he helped build a climate- humble and happy the people are, given 14 due to being a carer for her mother. resistant classroom block to combat they don’t have access to as many Thanks to Sir Alex’s generosity she floods in the country. opportunities as we do, really brings it recently travelled to the African James said: “Going to Malawi, I had home how lucky we are.” Leadership College in Mauritius, a GCU to engage with people who event changes the partnership institution, to gain an understanding of life and study in other countries. And she was able to thank the former Manchester United boss as he lives of students hosted the inaugural Sir Alex Ferguson Golf Celebrity golf day at The Carrick and a fundraising live auction will ensure more GCU students Classic event on Friday, can benefit from life-changing experiences. August 25th, in partnership with GCU. Jayde said: “This past year at GCU has been the ir Alex Ferguson CBE, assembled a The day also included a gala dinner and across all disciplines. Since then, I most memorable and team of sporting legends and and live auction, hosted by broadcaster have been on the Glasgow campus S enjoyable of my life. celebrities for a round of golf that Dougie Donnelly. several times meeting staff and Receiving a Sir Alex raised £78,000 to offer talented Money raised will add to Sir Alex’s students and have been impressed by scholarship to study at students life-changing experiences. own commitment of £500,000 over the the University’s work, particularly in the African Leadership Old Firm legends John Hartson and next 10 years to help more than 200 helping people, irrespective of their College in Mauritius Walter Smith were among a host of GCU students access higher education, background, progress in life. Today we earlier this year totally celebrities to join Sir Alex at The Carrick or to take up life-changing opportunities have the opportunity to raise further pushed me out of my golf course, located at Cameron House, during their time of study. funds for students and awareness of the comfort zone. It was a to raise money for scholarships, awards Sir Alex said: “I was delighted to help great work of the Foundation. I hope very rewarding and opportunities to make a significant Glasgow Caledonian University launch that new donors will also support its experience.” difference to the lives of talented GCU its Foundation in 2015, to help students work, and together we can make a students. from all backgrounds difference.”

Save the date: Friday 20th July 2018

We are delighted to announce that our 2018 Golf Day and Gala Dinner will take place on 20th July 2018. Sir Alex Ferguson CBE and celebrity friends will be joining us again at The Carrick and Cameron House on the stunning shores of Loch Lomond.

To register your interest or to find out more information then please contact a member of Pictured: John Hartson, Eilidh Barbour, the Foundation Team at [email protected] Walter Smith and Pat Nevin or call 0141 273 1014. Sir Alex Ferguson and Dougie Donnelly

26 27 ALUMNI PROFILE John really cuts the Mustard As the Magnusson Awards reach a tenth anniversary, we catch up with a notable recipient to Dr Sally Magnusson interviews previous Magnusson Award Winners, Joel, John and Gillian at the 10th Anniversary celebration event. find out about his career in psychiatric nursing and his colourful band.

he Magnus Magnusson Awards love that people of all ages and I was more mature, I could really enjoy Celebrating a decade Twere created in the name of the demographics can get involved in. It’s learning.” University’s late Chancellor, journalist spawned the Yellow Movement with its John is now a charge nurse working Seven awards were presented to about diabetes and the and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson manifesto to make life more interesting in an intensive psychiatric care unit. “It inspirational GCU students during management of the condition. KBE, to cultivate the ambitions and and fun through music and laughter and can be busy and challenging but it’s a special event marking the tenth dreams of students who wish to share a desire to connect. very rewarding and enjoyable and I am year of the Magnus Magnusson This year’s awards were their talents in some way with others. “Just knowing there are good people part of a fantastic, supportive team. Awards. presented to: Over the past ten years, the awards out there who are prepared to give you “It's a tough career, but the great One of this year’s inspirational have already supported more than 80 a chance was amazing and returning to thing is no day is the same and it’s winners, MSc Climate Justice Fiona Jarvis students to undertake their own dream the tenth anniversary event, and seeing wonderful to help people. student Fiona Jarvis, is in Nepal to Sir Alex Ferguson Award projects worldwide. some of the other recipients’ world- “It can be difficult at times but music explore the country’s fragile MSc Climate Justice ecosystem and raise awareness of At a glittering ceremony held in the changing work, was fantastic.” and my family – my wonderful partner Christine Hazleton climate change within the local University’s Saltire Centre, Principal and John said he didn’t consider Donna and three of the best kids in the Merchants House Magnusson community. Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela university when he left school, simply world – help me de-stress. I spend a lot Award Gillies CBE FRSE and Dr Sally choosing to undertake odd jobs and of weekends gigging and most of the Her award is funding her work Research Fellow in the Nursing, Magnusson, Magnus’ daughter and a travel. summer performing at festivals. We with Volunteer Initiative Nepal, a Midwifery and Allied Health broadcaster in her own right, discussed “When I got back from travelling, I played South Korea last year – how the not-for-profit organisation that Professions Research Unit their favourite memories of the awards knew I wanted to do something more audience understood my accent I'll focuses on sustainable, community- and the story of how it all began. meaningful with my life,” he says. “I had never know – and we have amazing gigs based development in the most Jessica Hancock Sally also interviewed former student watched my dad pass away and coming up and are writing and disadvantaged regions of the Merchants House Magnusson winners, sharing the remarkable impact witnessed really good and not so good recording our second album. We might country. Award their award has had on their life and the care. I realised nursing was a great enter the Eurovision Song Contest Fiona said: “Not only will being a PGCert Higher Education, GCU lives of others several years on. career.” and keep things as weird and part of this project support the London John McAlinden was one of those John enrolled at GCU where he interesting as we possibly practical application of my Joanna McAleer former winners. Using his Magnusson “loved” gaining new experiences on can in the ‘Dijonverse’. coursework, but it will give me Sir Alex Ferguson Award Award, he recorded his first album, placements and on campus. You need a lot of hands-on learning opportunities BA Hons International Business and which led to his band, Colonel Mustard “Just being in the buzz of an energy to do it all, but and invaluable experience.” Tourism Management Thanks to their Magnus and the Dijon 5, touring the world. environment of learning was a great I'm lucky enough Aloys Muhashyi Magnusson Award, Irene “Winning a Magnusson Award was experience,” he says. “However, I never to have such Ede & Ravenscroft Magnusson Fosuhemaa Bossman and Dr Bright great,” says John. “On the day I received found a placement that really excited a varied Award Anyimah Oduro, both from Ghana, it, I was bursting with excitement. I used me in adult nursing.” and BSc (Hons) Computing it to support my work playing in and John had begun working part-time interesting are working together to set up a Noah Walakir managing bands and it has had an with the Mungo Foundation and life and to team that delivers health Santander Magnusson Award amazing, priceless effect on what I've enjoyed looking after people with have had promotional activities and offers BA (Hons) Social Sciences achieved – travelling around the world mental health problems so, in the longer such ongoing support to patients in two and shaping my philosophy of life. term, after gaining experience in adult amazing rural Ghanaian districts. Irene Fosuhemaa Bossman and “I wanted to have an even greater nursing, he returned to GCU in 2007 to support The funding will go towards Bright Anyimah Oduro connection with audiences, and with further his studies with a conversion along the organising screening campaigns, Bishops Conference Magnusson friends I formed Colonel Mustard and programme focusing on psychiatric way.” developing educational materials, Award the Dijon 5. We play all sorts of genres nursing. acquiring medical supplies, and MSc Diabetes Care and and it has developed into something “I loved being back at uni,” he says. educating patients and health care Management, and MSc Clinical unique with a message of peace and “I've met so many friends for life and, as professionals operating in Ghana Opthalmology and Vision Research

28 29 FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS Making a difference Banking on a brighter New partnership gives talented pupils a powerful boost to study science and technology future with Santander CU’s award-winning widening- retailRIGHT and Hammerson Hugh Fraser Foundation Gaccess initiative, the Advanced The British School of Fashion joined The Hugh Fraser Foundation renewed Higher Hub, has been helping talented forces with charity retailRIGHT and its support for GCU students by Glasgow Caledonian University has signed a new agreement with Santander Universities, school pupils achieve their dreams of retail property specialist Hammerson, awarding £25,000 to establish five new signifying an incredible £1m of support for students and staff. attending university since its launch in to help students on their way to Common Good Scholarships for 2013. Now, following a £50k donation becoming successful fashion students from disadvantaged areas. from the ScottishPower Foundation, entrepreneurs, through £30,000 of ince 2010, Santander Universities educational opportunities for all and for Susan Allen, Head of Retail up to 40 more students will study seed funding and access to prime Shas supported more than 700 working with our communities locally Distribution, Santander UK, said: science and technology subjects at the retail space. beneficiaries at GCU, providing and internationally to deliver social “Santander is committed to supporting Hub this year. life-changing opportunities to access benefit.“ higher education as well as local The Advanced Higher Hub reaches education and travel, develop Jillian Watt, Director GCU communities across the UK. The out to 28 partner schools to deliver business ideas and enhance Foundation said: “The event has been a partnership with Glasgow Caledonian Advanced Highers at GCU’s city-centre employability through matched wonderful opportunity for us to thank University is a great example of how campus, bridging between school and funding internships. Santander Universities for their two very different institutions can work university, giving pupils a unique insight Commenting at a special event to phenomenal generosity and support. together effectively. It has been great to into the many pathways open to them celebrate the new agreement, Principal Our Santander team here on campus meet with both staff and students and and access to University facilities. and Vice Chancellor Professor Pamela have become an integral part of the hear about their experiences and the Glasgow Caledonian University Gillies, CBE FRSE said: “We are so GCU community and, through their real impact made by our joint Foundation works with donors and delighted to work with a partner who philanthropic support, they really are programmes.” friends, raising funds to help transform has a shared passion for providing helping to change lives.” lives through education. In the past year, we have received support from generous donors including:

The Data Lab Our innovative MSc Big Data Technologies programme attracted funding for 10 scholarships through a partnership with The Data Lab, The Scottish Funding Council and the European Social Fund.

Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust GCU’s Vision Centre benefitted from a funding boost from Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust to enhance its cutting-edge facilities.

30 3531 IN PROFILE we, as a society, ensure that our social Craig said: ‘’Miigen is all about saving - crucially, they grasped the potential and community history is kept alive. We memories and we are hopeful that it the business has,” said co-founder can do that by saving these old can also be a useful tool in the fight Campbell. photographs – these precious memories against degenerative memory diseases, As well as successfully securing – now. The problem is, we often wait such as dementia. funding, Miigen has caught the until it’s too late.” “We know that dementia is one of attention of a high-profile personality in Bringing our precious Miigen allows users to capture the biggest health issues facing us in BBC Scotland weather presenter Judith images of old photographs simply using the UK, with 850,000 suffering from Ralston. a smartphone, tablet or even scanner the illness today, so we’re keen to get Judith discovered Miigen earlier this and upload them to their Miigen profile. year and she loved the new technology Users can also create groups for their so much that she signed up for her own pictures back to life family, a shared resource to capture the Being able to account. images of the older adults in their family narrate memories Judith said: “I discovered Miigen not Meet the Scottish tech firm taking old photographs from the attic to a digital time capsule. and allow them to access the image to long after I watched an old video of my leave a voice tag without the need to be is just wonderful mother – and I was really quite blown a user. “ away by it. This simple idea, taking old Miigen’s voice tag function even families together to help to save these photographs from our shoeboxes in the tirling entrepreneurs Craig Lemmon Golf Classic (see pages 26-27), are of old photographs they knew nothing allows users to narrate the story of the precious memories.’’ loft and being able to narrate and store Sand Campbell Ferrier are on a founders of Miigen, which they created about, they realised they had hit on events featured in the image, capturing As well as interest from Silicon them for our kids and grandkids is just mission to take generations of old after both suffered the heartache of something huge. the emotion of the moment and acting Valley, Miigen attracted an impressive wonderful.” photographs from old shoeboxes into having to sort through possessions And in that moment, Miigen was as a memory trigger in later life. £250,000 investment in just seven As well as helping to ensure old the 21st century. belonging to a parent who had born. Although not specifically targeted at days in September. memories are never lost, the team The Stirling-based tech experts, who recently died. Craig explains: “It’s not something dementia sufferers, Miigen has “I think we’ve quite quickly proved behind Miigen is committed to recently supported GCU Foundation’s As they shared with each other that people want to think about, but attracted a great deal of interest from the concept and investors really improving social and digital inclusion. Sir Alex Ferguson stories about sifting through huge boxes actually it’s incredibly important that groups who recognise the benefits of grasped what it’s all about Craig explained: “We know that helping sufferers keep their memories later-life adults are consistently left alive. behind when it comes to social and digital inclusion, so it’s one of the aims of Miigen to do our bit to help. We’ve created a Miigen Biographer facility which will essentially allow the biographer to work as the link between users and their Miigen profile. “Typically, Miigen Biographers are community leaders who are running local events or meetings for older adults. They are web literate and have a real interest in capturing the story of their village or town.” Miigen’s user base is expanding rapidly, with 7,500 new users added last month. Craig and Campbell are committed to building the business in Stirling, but that doesn’t mean they don’t aspire to make Miigen a truly global business. The Miigen platform has already been extended into Orlando and is now hosted in Florida as well as in the company’s Edinburgh datacentre. “There has been some really incredible interest from America,” said Craig. “So much so that we exhibited at the International Conference for Active Ageing exhibition in Orlando in October.” Thank you for taking the time to read about Miigen why not click on www.miigen.com/promotions/gcu and share a memory with us of the first band you saw when you attended Glasgow To learn more about Miigen, and to Caledonian as a student. sign up, visit www.Miigen.com.

32 33 STAY CONNECTED Alumni words of wisdom

Opt in to stay connected Don't be afraid of making mistakes or be disheartened if you have made any. Many of the most successful people in the world, in numerous fields, have made major errors with your University "along the way. However, it didn't halt their progress because having a strong mentality enabled them to deal with setbacks. In fact, they learned from their mistakes and this helped them achieve their ultimate goals. Errors Gordon Smith can happen but the key to success is dealing with them Business Studies, 1977 in a positive way and pursuing your goals with an Former Professional Footballer, ongoing belief. Coach and Executive now " involved in Media. Now is the best time to discover yourself, know your passion and set your goals. Learn as much as you can, both from theory and shared experiences. They might not make sense to "you now, but keep equipping yourself. You’ll never know the value of your arsenal till you face a battle. Life is not a bed of roses so like the Boy Scouts, Be Prepared! Dika Odum Energy and Environmental Management, 2015 MD/CEO Kherithdum Limited " “Opt In” is a phrase you’ll hear a lot in 2018. Changes in data protection law are coming into effect in 2018, and the new legislation means that you need to opt in to the type of Follow your passions, don’t be afraid to think big and think communication you want to receive from the University moving forward. differently. As a female entrepreneur I live by the motto to never stop learning, so be open-minded to opportunity, learn CU will need your explicit permission to stay in touch. In "from failure and be resilient. Constantly seek feedback, Gthe future, we will only be able to keep you updated on identify mentors and surround yourself with the very best news and events, send you our annual alumni magazine and inform you of exclusive benefits and services if you have people. Believe in yourself and others will follow. formally consented to being contacted. We want to ensure that we keep the details we hold about Opt in Being entrepreneurial, constant selling helps you stand out. Isatou Njai you up-to-date and communicate with you fully in International accordance with your wishes. Please complete this short Not just your product, but your ideas, your vision, your Business, 2017 online form to update your preferences. Failure to do this may to keep projects and your potential. Relationship building and Co-Founder, Hippo result in you not receiving any further communications from & Hedgehog us after the regulations are in force. influencing skills are invaluable. Achieving all of this can only in touch. come with experience so put yourself outside of your comfort Find out more and complete your opt in at zone, challenge yourself, invest in yourself and constantly gcu.ac.uk/alumni/optin learn from the support around you!

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