Scotland’s first full-time
university Therapet dog
First TEDx event inspires student
and professional nurses
N
U R S I N G L E A D E R S AT Q M U s t a g e d t h e
University’s first TEDx event in a bid to share
ideas and inspire the nursing professionals of
the future.
The aim of TEDx events – a high profile ideas sharing platform
– is to share thoughts and ideas with individuals, communities
and organisations. Organised by QMU’s nursing team, the
theme of the event was ‘Flourishing People, Spaces and
Places’. An eclectic range of speakers took to the stage to
engage in topics such as recovering from homelessness, the
importance of exercise to health and wellbeing, urban poverty,
flourishing in times of economic hardship and flourishing in
dying.
Professor McCormack, Head of QMU’s Division of Nursing,
described ‘Flourishing’ as being “a core part of our humanity
that can become drowned by stress, poor leadership and
routinized work. This theme aimed to remind us all of the need
to celebrate the importance of innovation, passion, community
and connectedness.”
The first TEDx @QMU was so well received that the Division
of Nursing is hoping to make it an annual event. ❒
Principal appointed to Commission on
Widening Access
P
ROFESSOR WEND HAS been appointed as a
Member of the Commission on Widening Access.
The Principal joined student leaders and key
figures from education and business to develop plans to
help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds
in Scotland to enter and succeed in higher education.
The new Commission, which was announced by the First
Minister in November 2014, is chaired by Dame Ruth Silver.
It has been set up in light of the Scottish Government’s
commitment to improve access to educational opportunities
for disadvantaged people and recognition that more work in
widening participation is required.
R
OCCO, A YOUNG
labradoodle, is
the first full-time
T h e r a p et d og p l ac e d
at a Scottish university.
Aged two years, the black
labrador/poodle cross, is
fulfilling his recent role as
a student stress-buster at
QMU’s Students Union.
Rocco is part of Canine
Concern Scotland Trust’s
Therapet Visiting Service and
has been specially assessed
by the charity for this role. His
owner, Kirsten Baird, General
Manager of QMU’s Students’
Union, has been working
hard on Rocco’s training and
socialisation on a daily basis.
She said: “The Students’
Union has run several ‘Therapet’
sessions over the last few years
which students really seemed to
benefit from. Rocco came with
me to work almost every day
and the students all seemed to
love him. So it made sense to
train him as an official ‘Therapet’
which would allow QMU
students more regular access
to organised sessions.”
She continued: “He is proving
to be a huge hit with students,
particularly during stressful
periods around exams and
assignments. Many students
miss their own pets from home
and often enjoy the opportunity
to be with Rocco.”
Maj Meah, a recent Public
Relations and Media graduate,
has attended several Therapet
sessions at the Students’ Union.
He said: “Everyone loves Rocco
and the students now associate
him with their visits to the
Students’ Union. He’s a fun dog
to have around and is proving
to be a great stress-buster and
companion for many students at
QMU.”
Caitlin Lewis-Ogden, a BA
(Hons) Costume Design and
Construction student at QMU,
said: “I am not able to care for
a dog full-time at this point, but
having the opportunity to spend
time with Rocco on occasion
has been really lovely.”
Kirsten Baird concluded: “The
Therapet Visiting Service offers
a win-win to all concerned. It’s
great for the dog - who relishes
the opportunity to give love and
receive attention - and to the
pet owners who get a feeling
of satisfaction knowing their
beloved animal is helping others.
It’s also nice to know that QMU’s
Students’ Union is leading the
way with the introduction of
the first full-time Therapet at a
Scottish university. It’s great for
all of our animal loving students
who lap up every minute of their
time with Rocco, and for our
Students’ Union. ❒
Professor Wend has been asked to join the Commission
due to the insight and experience she is able to bring as
Vice-Convenor of Universities Scotland and former chair of
Universities Scotland’s Learning and Teaching Committee. Her
connections with the school teacher community through her
recent work as Chair of the National Implementation Board for
Teaching Scotland’s Future will also be a great asset.
Professor Wend said: “I am passionate about ensuring equality
of opportunity in access to university and QMU already plays
a significant role in helping more people from disadvantaged
backgrounds secure places in higher education. This next
phase of widening access work, which will be supported by the
Commission, is to identify ways of ensuring equality of access to
education for all members of our community and provide them
with every opportunity to succeed.” ❒
Caitlin enjoys spending time with Rocco
QMYOU / News in Brief
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