Autumn 2013 UK University of the Year Why we won the title and Amanda McFadden’s view on studying here Plus… As I Remember It Dr Andrew Spyrou recalls his time at Strathclyde and his remarkable career since You Made it Happen Star Refrigeration’s Dave Pearson discusses his engineering scholarship pledge Travel Notes Where has professional life taken marketing specialist Helene Norman-Dupuy? Welcome Contents It is a pleasure to welcome you to Strathclyde People, your magazine from the UK’s University What’s happening of the Year. I’m proud to say that we would Dates for the diary not have secured this recognition without – from the alumni community the help of our wonderful community of alumni and supporters. The view from here The judging panel described Strathclyde as “bold, imaginative Elsie Kanza, the remarkable Alumni groups Updates from our alumni and innovative”. They said that our dedication to working with Head of Africa for the World chapters at home and abroad industry gives a modern slant to our founder’s ‘place of useful Economic Forum tells us about learning’ vision. This edition of Strathclyde People brings her extraordinary career since these achievements to life. Strathclyde The UK University of the Year title is another endorsement of our goal to establish Strathclyde as a leading international General news Grapevine technological university. Highlights of what’s been Messages from happening across the University Strathclyde alumni Looking ahead, 2014 is lining up to be another remarkable year. We have recently installed our new University Chancellor, Lord Smith of Kelvin. As one of Scotland’s most successful business leaders, Lord Smith has worked tirelessly to improve the social, economic and cultural landscapes of Scotland. He will be an excellent ambassador for Strathclyde. Faculty news UK University of the Year The latest from Departments – why we won Furthermore, Lord Smith chairs the organising committee and Schools Sampling the many ingredients for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We are looking forward in a recipe for success to welcoming the Games to our city, a tremendous opportunity to showcase Glasgow. You made it happen It is also the year that we will open the doors to our new Dave Pearson, Director of Technology and Innovation Centre, the jewel in the crown Innovation at Star Refrigeration, of our campus investment. talks about his pledge to support local talent with a new scholarship And 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the University receiving its Royal Charter. We are planning to mark this milestone with Travel notes As I remember it events and activities and we will share our plans with you over We hear about alumna Helene’s One of the world’s most Donor list the coming months. marketing career moves, and how respected naval engineers Those making invaluable her latest change of direction will recalls wartime Strathclyde contributions to Strathclyde’s Finally, I’d like to pay tribute to Lord Hope of Craighead take her to new heights and his remarkable career cause who stepped down as Chancellor after 15 distinguished years. His wise counsel has helped the University greatly and I wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Thank you for your continued interest and investment in Strathclyde’s future. University of Strathclyde +44 (0)141 548 2773 Alumni & Development and [email protected] Media & Corporate Communications www.strath.ac.uk Professor Sir Jim McDonald McCance Building 16 Richmond Street Photography by University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Glasgow G1 1XQ of Strathclyde, Paul Watt, Mark Harkey The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263 3 The view from here Elsie Kanza Taking on a continental challenge Elsie Kanza is the Director and Head of Africa for the World Economic Forum We caught up with Elsie in Nigeria, You say your involvement What advice would you give – an independent international organisation committed to improving the where she found a gap in her with the University of to graduates embarking on state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders demanding schedule to discuss her Strathclyde was a very new careers? of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. So she’s a highly role in securing Africa’s opportunities formative time for you Stay open-minded, and make sure influential figure in steering Africa’s future. That’s a lot to take on, but after for sustainable economic growth – Yes, it was. In 1996, while I was you’re there when the opportunities talking to Elsie about her life and work, it’s clear what set her on such an and, of course, her studies through studying for my University of arise, but also stay focused and important path – and why she’s ideal for the job. the University of Strathclyde. Strathclyde Masters remotely at the consistent. University gives you What inspired you to get out Institute of Financial Management a foundation, and working life there and make a difference? in Dar es Salaam, Strathclyde was provides the experience that lets collaborating with the Institute on an you put theory into practice, and this I was born in Tanzania – at the time a educational development programme. isn’t always instant, so be patient. socialist country – but went to school In many ways, this further established Remember, everyone will influence in Kenya, which was essentially my passion for technology, innovation you – professors, family, friends and capitalist. I then studied my Masters and education – and confirmed my colleagues. And pay attention to what in Finance in Tanzania, through the desire to help address Africa’s skills potential employers will find useful. University of Strathclyde. I think I was gap. Africa has great potential for One day, that employer may be you… already a very driven person, thanks growth, but improving education to my upbringing and my parents’ Elsie is currently preparing for the across the countries is one of the support, but to see such disparity 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa, keys to its success. between neighbouring countries – which will be held in West Africa for and know that it’s the same across What do you see as the first time, in Nigeria. Nigeria is one the continent – made me want to Africa’s main challenges of Africa’s fastest growing economies, do something positive about it. over the next 10 years? and the second largest in Sub-Saharan I guess I grew up as a ‘foreigner’ in Africa, behind South Africa. Sustainable economic growth will only many ways, travelling between two be possible if we invest in education, In the meantime, her calendar for the very different countries, so I had a infrastructure and food security. These rest of 2013 will take her throughout unique perspective on things – and three things must come first, and form Eastern, Southern and Western Africa, the support and opportunity to do the foundation on which Africa can continuing her inspirational work. something with it. seize its opportunities and fulfil some of its outstanding potential. Also, African people’s expectations keep rising when they see their country and continent in context, and compare their lives with others. This is a good motivation for success, but managing expectations is crucial to getting it right. It’s about patience, and slow but steady growth, and my team and I are working continuously to establish that. 4 5 News Hello, goodbye David Livingstone’s Cathy Yao – leading the way Farewell, Lord Hope – 200th birthday Our first graduate through the Hopewell Scholarship and welcome, Lord Smith of Kelvin That’s a lot of candles on the cake… Sir Gordon Wu is a leading global businessman from We welcomed a new Chancellor to the University this year. This year, we celebrate the life and achievements of one Hong Kong with an Honorary Doctorate of Business Lord Smith is one of Scotland’s leading business figures, of our most notable alumni. Medical missionary and Administration (DBA) from Strathclyde. His company, for whom Sir Jim has high praise: “Lord Smith is a explorer David Livingstone has become a renowned Hopewell Holdings, has interests in infrastructure, visionary businessman who has dedicated his life to the figure in Scottish history for his expeditions, research engineering, property, hotels and energy, while his social, economic and cultural development of Scotland. and campaigns against slavery – in his travels through Hopewell Scholarship at Strathclyde mirrors similar He will be an excellent ambassador for Strathclyde.” Africa, and in particular, Malawi. His research into malaria schemes at North American universities. Launched We’d also like to show our huge appreciation to Lord and sleeping sickness helped establish treatments and here in 2009, its first scholar, Cathy Yao, graduated Hope of Craighead, our Chancellor from 1998 to 2013. preventative techniques used to this day. this July with a First-class Honours degree. As Sir Jim points out: “His wise counsel has helped the The links David Livingstone established between Cathy also won the A W Scott Prize, for achieving University tremendously. It’s fitting that, in his final year Scotland and Africa have helped us build strong the best marks by a final-year Honours student in office, we hold the title of UK University of the Year.” relations over the years with the University of Malawi in Chemical Engineering. Lord Smith’s formal installation took place in October 2013. – most recently through the collaborative Malawi Millennium Project. For a bright future, Tomorrow’s world bank on Strathclyde The Institute for Future Cities launches A world-leading multidisciplinary centre of teaching and Ana Botín, CEO Santander UK, gave her lecture on The research, launched recently at Strathclyde, is aimed at Future of the UK Economy and the Role of Entrepreneurs to 100 staff, students and other guests earlier this year.