Paul Beltrami, Communications Studies, was one of the many graduates who attended the inaugural GCU Abu Dhabi Alumni event in November. He blogs his unique experience.
It was a great surprise to me when I received an invitation to the alumni event in Abu Dhabi. It was convenient too as I live and work in Al Ain, only 90 minutes away from the capital.
The evening itself was my first alumni event having graduated from what was then Glasgow College of Technology way back in 1989. I particularly enjoyed the speech from Sir Jackie Stewart who is a tireless campaigner for those with learning difficulties, particularly dyslexia. As a teacher myself I found his speech to be both informative and inspiring, I could have listened to him all night! Continue Reading »
GCU alumnus and honorary graduate David Sibbald, who is Chairman of Sumerian Network, has been awarded an OBE in the 2010 New Year Honours List. He received the award for charitable services in Scotland and overseas.
Also appearing on the list was Professor Michael Wright, Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University and a previous Head of the Department of Law and Public Administration at GCU, who was awarded a CBE for his contribution to higher education and the community of Kent.
David pictured with the his Alumni Achievement Award in 2008.
Few can offer such personal insight into the recent banking crisis as Andrew McLaughlin, Social Sciences ‘90, Group Chief Economist and Head of Communications of Royal Bank of Scotland. In an incisive interview with Adelle Hopkins, (BA (Hons) Communication & Mass Media ’07, currently studying an MA in Multimedia Journalism), Mr McLaughlin discusses his personal experience of the collapse of RBS, and offers his views on both the causes of the credit crunch and the prospects for economic recovery.
Chief Executive and GCU graduate, Gordon Smith ’77, visited the campus in later November to talk to students on the Sports and Active Lifestyles Promotion course on a new SFA initiative aimed at giving thousands of boys and girls advice and guidance as part of SFA approved football lessons.
“I am very happy to have had the chance to come back to Glasgow Caledonian University and talk to staff and students within the Department of Cultural Business. I have fond memories of my time here, and enjoyed informing students about the work the SFA does with regards to the organisation of football in Scotland, and in particular our continuing youth initiatives, which will play an extremelly important part in developing our national sport.”
The final episode of the popular live Soap “Westenders” will come to an exciting conclusion this Thursday at the Oran Mor.
The soap, sponsored by the Alumni Office at Glasgow Caledonian University, has been a huge success and we would like to invite all graduates to celebrate the conclusion of this popular soap at the Oran Mor.
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and the Caledonian College of Engineering in Oman (CCEO) hosted an alumni networking event at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Oman for those about to graduate, giving them the opportunity to build relationships that will help them in their careers.
Tom Moffett leads the project for the construction of the HMS Defender warship at BVT Surface Fleet, Glasgow. But what many don’t know is that Tom is a former Power-Lifting Champion and current world record holder! Tom, B.Eng (Hons) Business and Manufacturing Engineering ’99, represented Scotland in the 2009 World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPA) Deadlift Championships finishing a close 2nd behind Ireland.
The World Championships, held in Bradford in September, attracted the best power-lifters from over 30 countries. Tom said; “I am a bit disappointed to finish second but I am happy with my performance and it was great to see my friends and competitors from around the world.” Tom has now started training for the Scottish Championships and the European Championships in Moscow next year, whilst of course, working on the HMS Defender.
The recession has hit many small businesses, but business is booming for environmentally friendly taxi firm, GOGREENCAR. Owners David Peters, Business Studies ’01, and Andrew Laughlan, Multimedia Technology ’02, have seen an increase in clientele over the last year as Senior Executives and Managing Directors have moved away from their high-end chauffeured limousines to a more eco-friendly hybrid alternative. The taxi firm, based in heart of London, has seen its fleet of hybrid Toyota Prius’s grow from 5 to 40 in a space of 18 months and are still adding new vehicles every month. “The current economic downturn has been good to us” said Andrew. “We are competitively priced and as blue chip companies cut back on spending we are the and environmentally friendly alternative.” The firm looks capitalise on the current economic climate by helping more businesses and residents across London reduce their carbon footprint, through their new eco-friendly vehicles.
Development and Alumni Relations has setup a new blog to keep you up to date with activity at your University. This is the first phase of the blog development and we hope over the course of the next few weeks to add more features, improve functionality and to create discussion topics and of course, have fun whilst doing it!
Moreover, the blog is an informal mode of communication with you, our graduates. By bringing together our social networking communications (Facebook & Linkedin) and our e-newsletters, website and magazine, we hope to appeal to all alumni of GCU.
So what do you think about the new blog?
Please fee free to browse the new blog and have a look around and tell us what you think by using the comment box below. We are open to all opinions and suggestions to make this an effective communications tool with you!
It was a great surprise to me when I received an invitation to the alumni event in Abu Dhabi. It was convenient too as I live and work in Al Ain, only 90 minutes away from the capital.
