NEWS
IN BRIEF
mentor means they can hit the ground running when they enter
the workforce.”
Juan concluded: “We look forward to continue building our
partnerships with key industry partners, such as the NHS, the
Scottish Government and local authorities, so we can equip
students to reach their potential.” ❒
In the top three in Scotland for graduate
employment
Q
MU’S EFFORTS IN developing graduates who are
work ready and whose skills are highly sought after
by employers have paid off yet again.
The latest statistics on graduate employment from the Higher
Education Statistics Agency show that QMU is in the top three
higher education institutions in Scotland for its employment of
undergraduate leavers. A massive 97.1% of our undergraduate
leavers are in employment or further study six months after
graduation. (HESA). ❒
QMU’s mentoring initiative wins Education
Project of the Year 2018
A
MENTORING PROJECT, which matches students with
professionals in their chosen field, has been selected
as a winner at the Scottish Mentoring Awards. QMU’s
Employer Mentoring and Enterprise Programme, which has
paired 350 students with mentors over the last five years,
was co-winner of the Education Project of the Year 2018.
This is the second time that the University’s initiative has been
recognised at the awards, which are run by the Scottish Mentoring
Network.
Launched in 2013, QMU’s mentoring and enterprise project has
gone from strength to strength. Each year, the employability team
has broadened the range of professionals involved in the project.
Students from various courses are now matched with experienced
professionals from the hospitality and tourism, business, public
relations, film and media, healthcare, as well as third sector
organisations. The mentors help get students work ready, by
strengthening their CVs, helping them find work placements and
shadowing, and offering important industry insights and networking.
Juan Garcia, Employability & Development Adviser, said: “We
are committed to providing outstanding career development
opportunities for students, and ensuring their skills are suitable
for industry. Guidance from an industry mentor can be a real game
changer for a student – they can open doors, provide invaluable
industry information and set people up on the right path.
“Importantly, we can see our students growing in confidence
as they know they’ve got someone in their corner, providing
direction during their final years at university. Combining the
skills and knowledge from their degrees with the support from a
4
QMYOU / News in Brief
Like food? Join our consumer taste
panels
I
f you love food and enjoy talking about it, then why not
join QMU’s consumer taste panels?
Over the last few months, our Scottish Centre for Food
Development and Innovation (SCFDI) has run hundreds of taste
panel sessions for a range of national food companies. People
from all over Edinburgh and the Lothians have taken part in the
panel sessions which involve taste testing a wide variety of foods
including bakery, meats, ready meals, cakes snacks and drinks.
Catriona Liddle, from the SCFDI, explained: “Some of the taste
panels are very quick and simple and are completed in around
15 – 20 minutes, while some sessions are more involved and can
last over an hour.
“Consumer panel members will have the chance to taste a wide
range of products from basic food brands to premium products.
People really enjoy attending the sessions and welcome the
opportunity to share their opinions on the range of foods they taste.”
No previous experience is necessary to take part in the sessions,
but all participants should be over 18 and should not have any
dietary restrictions.
Tasters can choose to apply for as many sessions as they wish,
but there is no obligation to attend every session that is being
promoted. Each week our list of consumer panelists will receive
an email with notification of upcoming sessions to choose from.
Most sessions are held in the morning or afternoon on weekdays,
with some sessions taking place in the evening.
If you would like information, or to sign up as a consumer panel
taster, please email E: [email protected]. ❒