4 QMYOU / News in Brief
NEWS IN BRIEF
NEWS IN BR
QMU wins outstanding leadership awards
IN JUNE 2012 , QMU ’ s management team was presented with the top accolade in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards . The Awards celebrate leadership , management , financial and business skills in UK higher education institutions . QMU is the first Scottish university to secure the top award .
Within three years QMU has been transformed from a university facing many challenges in terms of its finances , strategy and organisational culture , to be recognised as having the best leadership and management in the UK university sector . At the London based ceremony , QMU was recognised for its clear decisionmaking and staff engagement which has been pivotal to its success in increasing student applications , student numbers , research and commercialisation success , and financial results .
Tell us what you want , what you really really want !
THERE ’ S NO BETTER WAY to find out what employers really want in a graduate than inviting them to share their thoughts . So , earlier this year , QMU hosted a session with senior business leaders to find out more about their employability and research needs . The meeting brought together business leaders from across
Scotland with QMU academics and managers . The aim was to gain a better understanding of which specific skills and experiences employers are seeking in graduates , and also to identify any research needs that businesses might have .
Employers were delighted to be asked their opinion on what graduate attributes they would find most helpful , and to learn more about how universities could support business development and future research needs . The valuable feedback is now being used by the University to shape future teaching curricula .
Alan Gilloran , QMU ’ s Vice Principal ( Academic ) said : “ Our economic climate is constantly evolving and it is essential that universities are responsive to employers ’ needs and equip students with the skills they need to hit the ground running when they enter the work force . At the same time , businesses need to tap into the wealth of expertise which exists within Scottish universities – expertise which can lead to new product innovation and strategy and service development , ensuring that Scottish businesses remain competitive and responsive to new opportunities .”
If your company development could benefit from some specialist input speak to QMU ’ s Business Innovation Executive or visit www . qmu . ac . uk / business _ industry / default . htm .
‘ Broken Bodies ’ science fest comes to East Lothian
IN MAY , QMU HELD a fun health science festival which introduced over 200 school children to the fascinating area of healthcare .
The event called ‘ Broken Bodies ’ followed on from the University ’ s involvement in Edinburgh ’ s International Science Festival . For several years , QMU has sponsored the highly successful ‘ ER Surgery ’ which is geared towards young children . However , the University was keen to extend some of the magic of the festival to East Lothian .
‘ Broken Bodies ’ allowed secondary school pupils to use the University ’ s high-tech clinical facilities and to engage with a wide range of health experts .
Alan Gilloran , Vice Principal ( Academic ), explained : “ QMU has outstanding clinical facilities and this event allowed us to provide young people with hands-on experience of patient treatment in a realistic clinical environment .”
The event , which was for school children in S1 to S3 , got them involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients in a variety of disciplines including physiotherapy , podiatry , radiography , nursing , occupational therapy , dietetics and nutrition .
Ken Aitchison , ‘ Broken Bodies ’ organiser , said : “ It was the equivalent of ‘ kids ’ casualty ’ - hands-on patient treatment with loads of fun and the inevitable gore for good measure . The school children dealt with three patients - one with a knee injury , a patient with Diabetes and an emergency admission of a patient with a suspected stroke . The University ’ s health professionals then assisted the children in using specialist equipment to help treat and rehabilitate the patients .”
Alan Gilloran concluded : “ We want QMU to be a valuable resource to the community . This is a great way to get children , at an early age , through the doors of a university , and experience different aspects of healthcare . We hope this fun , active event fired up children ’ s curiosity about treatment and patient care .”
This event not only confirmed QMU ’ s commitment to Health and Rehabilitation , one of its flagship areas , but it also provided outstanding learning opportunities for 45 QMU health students who assisted with the practical activities .
4 QMYOU / News in Brief