Alumni Services

February '18 briefing

A distinctly alumni-oriented round-up of news, events and opportunities for February 2018, updated throughout the month.

1. Toasting the bard

Burns Supper in Mumbai February 2018
1. Alumni attend the Burns Supper in Mumbai, India

The University's global alumni clubs and groups held 16 events around the world to celebrate Burns Night. This included three in India alone, photos from which can be seen on the Edinburgh Alumni Facebook page:

Facebook photo albums (external)

Events for alumni

2. Edinburgh calling

Keith, Sophie and Rory from the student calling team
2. Keith, Sophie and Rory from the student calling team

A committed team of Edinburgh students is currently calling graduates to update them on University activities, seek their feedback on our events and communications, and to ask them to consider supporting students with a donation. We spoke to three members of the team to find out why they chose to take part:

Meet the student callers

3. Fitting tribute to alumnus

Gordon Aikman
3. Gordon Aikman

Motor neurone disease campaigner and alumnus Gordon Aikman has been honoured by the University one year after his death. The George Square Lecture Theatre – the largest on campus – is to be renamed in memory of the Business School graduate who raised more than £500,000 for research funding.

Lecture theatre renamed in honour of campaigner

4. One day without us

One day Without Us Alumni team members
4. International members of the Alumni Team

On 16 February, the University's schools and groups took part in a national day of action, celebrating the contribution of migrants to the UK. The One Day Without Us campaign highlighted the benefit of people from abroad living, working and studying in the UK. The Alumni Team got involved by recognising the hard work of its colleagues who hail from non-UK countries, including Kristina from Slovakia (left in photo 4), Sara from Spain (centre) and Chiara from Italy (right).

One Day Without Us (external)

5. University hosts alumna film premiere

Video art reframed for enthralling show
5. Spite Your Face

The University hosted the UK premiere of 'Spite Your Face', alumna Rachel Maclean’s celebrated video work, and Scotland’s presentation at last year’s Venice Biennale, the world’s most prestigious art show. The showing took place in the Talbot Rice Gallery's Georgian Gallery, and the film will be a continuous exhibition there until 5 May.

Rachel Maclean | Spite Your Face

6. Join the discussion

David Hume tower on a sunny day
6. David Hume Tower

Is David Hume Tower really our alumni's favourite University of Edinburgh building? It's a popular choice over on our Facebook page where alumni are choosing the campus spots they remember most fondly, as well as sharing memories. Join the discussion and add your favourite, too:

Edinburgh Alumni on Facebook (external)

7. Careers festival for new graduates

Splashes of bright colours represent the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival
7. Creative and Cultural Careers Festival

The Creative and Cultural Careers Festival is a week long festival of events aimed at students of all levels, as well as recent graduates, from any subject, who are interested in finding out more about working in the Creative Industries, Media or Cultural institutions. It runs from 5 - 9 March.

Creative and Cultural Careers Festival

We also spoke with alumnus and filmmaker Ted Simpson, who shared his top five tips for pursuing a creative career:

Ted's tips for a creative career

8. British Council celebrates alumni

Amal Bholah, Sushant Desai and Bagdat Myrzakhmetov
8. L-R: Amal Bholah, Sushant Desai and Bagdat Myrzakhmetov

Three Edinburgh alumni have been recognised by the British Council with nominations in the Study UK Alumni Awards 2018. Dr Amal Bholah (Global eHealth 2017) from Mauritius, Sushant Desai (Management 2011) from India, and Bagdat Myrzakhmetov (Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science 2015) from Kazakhstan are being recognised for their outstanding achievements as business professionals and community leaders, and for their important contribution to strengthening collaborative ties between the UK and their respective countries.

Study UK Alumni Awards (external)

9. Masters and MOOC combine

A student's laptop and coffee cup
9. Ready for e-learning

A new degree is the first at Edinburgh to combine a short, open access course with a full Masters programme. Students on the MSc Digital Education course will join MOOC particpants from around the world on an Introduction to Social Research Methods, a free Massive Open-access Online Course (MOOC). 

More information

MOOCs at Edinburgh