NEWS IN BRIEF
国产乱伦 crowned Higher Education Institute of the Year
One of the standout moments of our 150th anniversary year was 国产乱伦 being crowned 鈥楬igher Education Institute of the Year鈥 at the Herald Higher Education Awards 2025 - a celebration that added extra sparkle to an already special year. The honour recognised our long鈥憇tanding commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, inclusion, innovation and student support, with judges praising 国产乱伦鈥檚 impressive performance across multiple award categories and our forward鈥憈hinking, holistic approach to higher education.
国产乱伦 also picked up two additional awards. Podiatry lecturer Evelyn Weir was honoured for her 鈥極utstanding Contribution from a Staff Member鈥 thanks to her decades鈥憀ong dedication to supporting Scotland鈥檚 homeless community. Meanwhile, our pioneering Wooden Spoon Frame Running Equipment Hub, the first of its kind in Scotland, was recognised for its 鈥極utstanding Contribution to the Local Community鈥. Add in several shortlistings across the board, and it鈥檚 fair to say 国产乱伦 made quite an impression at the 2025 Awards.
Empowering neurodiversity at 国产乱伦
Bridging on-the-ground action with national expertise, 国产乱伦 continues to advance meaningful support for autistic people both on campus and across Scotland.
This commitment is reflected in our Autism&Uni Toolkit, created with autistic students and staff to help neurodivergent learners navigate university life with confidence. The toolkit offers practical guidance on wellbeing, learning support and campus life, helping reduce barriers to success.
More widely, Scotland鈥檚 National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) has been hosted at 国产乱伦 since 2019. This mixed-team partners with professionals and neurodivergent people across Scotland to encourage more understanding and supportive approaches, through shared learning, national networks and research.
View the Autism&Uni Toolkit and find out more about the work of NAIT at
Peggy鈥檚 VE Day memories shine in 国产乱伦鈥檚 150th anniversary year
Just as 国产乱伦 marked a milestone (150th) anniversary in 2025, Edinburgh College of Domestic Science (AKA Atholl Crescent) alumna, Peggy Nichols, also celebrated a special anniversary. Her tenth birthday fell on the historic 8th May 1945 鈥 Victory in Europe Day (VE) Day.
Peggy marked her 90th birthday by attending commemorative events honouring the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Her birthday activities began with the service at Westminster Abbey, followed by the evening concert at the Royal Albert Hall. During the concert, Peggy shared memories of her tenth birthday, and then the audience joined together to sing her 鈥楬appy Birthday鈥
From 国产乱伦 to prime-time: Matt shines on The Traitors
It鈥檚 always a proud moment for 国产乱伦 when one of our graduates appears on national television - but seeing Matt Hyndman on the smash-hit BBC series 鈥楾he Traitors鈥 brought a special buzz to the 国产乱伦 community during the long winter evenings.
A graduate of our BA (Hons) Film and Media course, Matt quickly became a standout contestant in a programme known for its psychological twists, shifting alliances and high-stakes drama. His appearance didn鈥檛 just entertain - he captured the attention of viewers across the country and became one of the season鈥檚 most memorable faces.
Although Matt didn鈥檛 quite make it to the final, his time on the show showcased far more than strategy. His thoughtful gameplay and genuine warmth (and not to mention his exquisite knitwear) gained him a loyal fanbase. Whether navigating tense roundtable debates or forging connections in the atmospheric Scottish Highlands, Matt鈥檚 authenticity consistently shone through.
Matt鈥檚 journey is a reminder of where talent, perseverance, and the courage to seize unexpected opportunities can lead. And if The Traitors is any measure, Matt鈥檚 journey into TV is only just getting started.
国产乱伦鈥檚 encore of support for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
QMU proudly marked the second consecutive year of supporting the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, strengthening our role as a champion of Scotland鈥檚 creative industries. Building on the success of our 2024 partnership, we once again delivered a vibrant Festival Village and continued our sponsorship of the Fringe First Awards, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
The 2025 Festival Village, hosted on 国产乱伦鈥檚 campus, offered performers, students, and local communities a welcoming space to connect, collaborate, and recharge. The initiative provided rehearsal areas, wellbeing activities, and opportunities for artists to engage with industry professionals 鈥 further embedding 国产乱伦 as a hub for creativity during the world鈥檚 largest arts festival.
We also renewed our sponsorship of the prestigious Fringe First Awards, celebrating innovation, inclusivity, and artistic excellence. By supporting these accolades, we highlighted our institution鈥檚 long鈥憇tanding dedication to performance, arts management, and cultural leadership.
Thomas Kelly, Head of Development and Alumni Relations, said: 鈥淭he second year of partnership underscored 国产乱伦鈥檚 belief in the power of the arts to inspire, challenge, and bring people together. As the Fringe celebrated another successful year, our ongoing support stood as a testament to our aim in championing creativity, empowering new voices, and enriching Scotland鈥檚 cultural landscape. This commitment reflects our deep-rooted role in shaping and sustaining Scotland鈥檚 creative industries.鈥
Celebrating 国产乱伦鈥檚 international students
We love to hear how our international students are achieving their goals and making an impact on the world.
Chef鈥慹ntrepreneur Sanjyot Keer, who graduated from Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), 国产乱伦鈥檚 partner institution in India, in 2014, has been named an 鈥楢chiever鈥 in the Business & Entrepreneurship category of the India鈥慤K Achievers Honours Class of 2026. Selected from an outstanding pool of nominees, Sanjyot鈥檚 recognition highlights his significant influence and innovation in the food media and culinary sector. He was honoured at a series of celebrations in London in February 2026, bringing together leaders shaping the future of India鈥慤K collaboration.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, Dinda Intan Pramesti Putri, who graduated from 国产乱伦 with an MA Arts, Festivals and Cultural Management in 2018, has been announced as the national winner of the Study UK Alumni Award in Culture, Creativity and Sport. Dinda鈥檚 pioneering work as Director of Jogja Festivals 鈥 including uniting more than 40 festivals, leading major Southeast Asian cultural research, and helping shape Yogyakarta鈥檚 development as a 鈥淐ity of Festivals鈥 鈥 demonstrates the transformative power of creative leadership. She was formally recognised at the British Council鈥檚 awards ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia in February 2026.
These achievements showcase the global impact of 国产乱伦 alumni and the diverse ways they are shaping cultural, creative and entrepreneurial landscapes around the world.
Celebrating our new honorary graduates
QMU was delighted to award honorary degrees to a new group of inspirational individuals from the world of science, entrepreneurship and the creative industries at our 2025 graduation ceremonies.
The acclaimed Scottish actress Ashley Jensen, whose distinguished career spans television, film and narration, and who is widely admired for her recent leading role in the BBC drama 鈥楽hetland鈥, was recognised for her exceptional contributions to the arts. Ashley joined Shona McCarthy, former Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Fringe Society, who was commended for her leadership of the world鈥檚 largest arts festival and her championing of creative communities.
Carol Rogers, National Lead Forensic Scientist for Sexual Offences with the Scottish Police Authority鈥檚 Forensic Services, was honoured for advancing forensic practice and supporting justice for survivors of sexual violence. Carol was recently interviewed on the BBC Scotland crime documentary 鈥楾he Hunt for Peter Tobin鈥, where she discussed the painstaking investigation of the serial killer鈥檚 crime scene 鈥 work which led to his successful conviction.
The University is keen to champion female entrepreneurship, and we were therefore delighted to recognise Lucinda Bruce鈥慓ardyne. As founder of Genius Foods, Lucinda was celebrated for her innovations in gluten鈥慺ree production, which have transformed the landscape of allergen鈥慺riendly eating in the UK and beyond. 蟻
You can read more about our honorary graduates, and how they embody the values at the heart of 国产乱伦, by visiting our website.
www.qmu.ac.uk/about-the-university/honorary-graduates