Alumni and Friends » GCU Alumni

Exclusive interview with Chief Economist of RBS

GCU Alumni Office — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:52:12 +0000

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.

Tell us what you think about the banking crisis!

Click the links below to listen to Andrew

Has public faith in banks dwindled?

What has happened over the last 2 years?

Who has benefited from current economic crisis?

Who can we trust?

Could the crisis have been avoided?

Is there risk of the recession happening again?

What are the root problems of this current crisis?

Scottish Football Chief – Gordon Smith ’77

GCU Alumni Office — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:40:29 +0000

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.”

Badminton Doubles!

GCU Alumni Office — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:58:03 +0000

GCU graduates David Forbes, BSc Psychology ’00 and Stewart Kerr, MSc Rehabilitation Science ‘08 took part in Bank of Scotland International Badminton Championships in Glasgow last in November. The doubles pair reached the second round of the tournament before losing out to an Austrian duo. David and Stewart have been playing together for 4 years and have been capped for Scotland 5 times.

GCU Alumni Reception ’09 – Oman

GCU Alumni Office — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:40:47 +0000

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.

Powerlifting Champion!

GCU Alumni Office — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:28:55 +0000

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 2^nd 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.

Alumni Go Green!

GCU Alumni Office — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:06:48 +0000

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.

For further information, visit: www.gogreencar.co.uk

Feedback on New Blog!

GCU Alumni Office — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:39:26 +0000

The New GCU Alumni Blog – Feedback

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!

GCU Bumper Sticker

GCU Alumni Office — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:57:57 +0000

Find out how far the GCU Bumper Sticker can go!

Send your pictures of the GCU Bumper Sticker to alumni@gcal.ac.uk. We want to see how far this will go!

If you don’t have a bumper sticker, but would like one, email alumni@gcal.ac.uk with your full name and mailing address and we will send a few out to you.

Great Wall of China - Thanks to Jas Sangha, Social Sciences '09

Iowa USA - Thanks to Summer Zwanziger Elsinger, Masters in Research, Business and Management, '05

Special Guest Lecture by Prof David Gartry

GCU Alumni Office — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:13:58 +0000

Special Guest Lecture
Tuesday 8th December 2009,
5:30-6:30 Registration/Reception
6:30 Lecture
Glasgow Caledonian University

Professor David Gartry MD FRCS FRCOphth DO BSc (Hons) FCOptom

‘Laser refractive surgery – past, present & future’

We are delighted to welcome Professor David Gartry, BSc (Hons) Ophthalmic Optics ’78, and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon & Refractive Service Director, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, back to GCU to present a special guest lecture.

For more information and to register

Launch of Glasgow Cookery Book

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:55:33 +0000

Over 500 alumni from the Glasgow Dough School and Queens College attended the launch of the Glasgow Cookery Book.

The 2009 edition, which was published by Waverly Books, was updated with the assistance of Dough School volunteers (pictured). Special care was taken to preserve traditional favourites such as haggis, pot roast, cheese scones and shortbread while including updates for the modern cook.

The Glasgow Cookery Book is available in most West of Scotland Bookstores and online at www.amazon.co.uk

For Further information about the Glasgow Cookery Book