S
RIEF
QMU was delighted to sponsor the lecture by Olivia
Giles OBE. Olivia’s lecture, ‘The Power of Opportunity’
described her life-changing circumstances following the
amputation of her lower arms and legs due to meningitis.
A partner in an Edinburgh legal firm before her illness, Olivia
now runs the charity ‘500 miles’, which supports amputees in
Malawi and Zambia by helping to buy and fit prostheses and
orthoses. Her moving and inspirational speech described her
illness and recovery. She described why, in many ways, she
believes that her changed circumstances has transformed
her life for the better and what her experience has taught
her about the potential within all human beings. She said:
“Being alive and receptive to the opportunities that present
themselves in everyday life is the first step to finding the
courage to grasp them and the stamina to deliver on them.”
Professor Petra Wend, QMU’s Principal, said: “Olivia’s
personal journey and inspirational attitude clearly
demonstrates how a traumatic life changing event could
be turned into life enhancing experience. It was a privilege
to learn how Olivia has used her personal experience and
positive attitude as an opportunity to improve the quality of
life of other people in similar circumstances in Malawi and
Zambia.”
For further information about Olivia Giles and her charity
‘500 miles’ visit: www.500miles.co.uk
Health specialist contributes to
health committee at Westminster
C
ONGRATULATIONS TO JIM BUCHAN, Professor
in Health Workforce Policy at QMU, who has
been appointed as special adviser to the
House of Commons Health Select Committee inquiry
on NHS workforce planning. Professor Buchan’s role
involves briefing the Commit tee on workforce policy and
planning; assisting in the development of Committee briefs;
preparing questions for the witnesses that are called by the
Committee, including Health Ministers and Royal Colleges;
and contributing to the final report.
The Sunday Times Good University
Guide 2012 stated that seven people
chased every undergraduate place at
QMU last year. Also, QMU moved up
several places in the rankings in The
Complete University Guide.
• A fishy tale:
A QMU research
project which encouraged nursery
children to eat more oily fish as part of a
balanced diet has inspired the production
of a new recipe book which highlights
the recipes and activities used during the
project. ‘Simple Fishy Snack Recipes for
Nursery Children’ is a collection of tried
and tested recipes for fishy snack foods.
The book was launched at the Scottish
Government Early Years’ Conference.
• On your bike:
A collection of tried and tested recipes
for fi shy snack push
foods
QMU’s
on
developed at Greengables Nursery School in Edinburgh
£2.50 power recently paid off with the
pedal
Edited by Dr Jane McKenzie, Queen Margaret University
award of ‘Cycle Friendly Employer’ from
Cycling Scotland.
• Eliminating stigma:
QMU
has signed the ‘See Me’ Pledge to help
eliminate stigma and discrimination
against those with mental ill health.
Through the Pledge, QMU has made a
public commitment to tackling the stigma
experienced by people with mental
health problems.
• T he Olympics:
Toby Harris,
a 2nd year Podiatry student from
Edinburgh, was selected to be a ‘Coca-
Cola Future Flame’. Toby carried the
Olympic flame on the 14th June through
the village of Walkerburn in the Scottish
Borders. James Austin, a final year health
psychology student, competed in Judo
in the Olympics.
QMYOU / News in Brief
5