NEWS IN BRIEF
QMU crowned Higher Education Institute of the Year
One of the standout moments of our 150th anniversary year was QMU being crowned âHigher Education Institute of the Yearâ at the Herald Higher Education Awards 2025 - a celebration that added extra sparkle to an already special year. The honour recognised our longâstanding commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, inclusion, innovation and student support, with judges praising QMUâs impressive performance across multiple award categories and our forwardâthinking, holistic approach to higher education.
QMU also picked up two additional awards. Podiatry lecturer Evelyn Weir was honoured for her âOutstanding Contribution from a Staff Memberâ thanks to her decadesâlong dedication to supporting Scotlandâs homeless community. Meanwhile, our pioneering Wooden Spoon Frame Running Equipment Hub, the first of its kind in Scotland, was recognised for its âOutstanding Contribution to the Local Communityâ. Add in several shortlistings across the board, and itâs fair to say QMU made quite an impression at the 2025 Awards.
Empowering neurodiversity at QMU
Bridging on-the-ground action with national expertise, QMU 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, Scotlandâs National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) has been hosted at QMU 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
Peggyâs VE Day memories shine in QMUâs 150th anniversary year
Just as QMU 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 â 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 âHappy Birthdayâ
From QMU to prime-time: Matt shines on The Traitors
Itâs always a proud moment for QMU when one of our graduates appears on national television - but seeing Matt Hyndman on the smash-hit BBC series âThe Traitorsâ brought a special buzz to the QMU 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 didnât just entertain - he captured the attention of viewers across the country and became one of the seasonâs most memorable faces.
Although Matt didnât 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, Mattâs authenticity consistently shone through.
Mattâs journey is a reminder of where talent, perseverance, and the courage to seize unexpected opportunities can lead. And if The Traitors is any measure, Mattâs journey into TV is only just getting started.
QMUâs 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 Scotlandâs 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 QMUâs 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 â further embedding QMU as a hub for creativity during the worldâs 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 institutionâs longâstanding dedication to performance, arts management, and cultural leadership.
Thomas Kelly, Head of Development and Alumni Relations, said: âThe second year of partnership underscored QMUâs 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 Scotlandâs cultural landscape. This commitment reflects our deep-rooted role in shaping and sustaining Scotlandâs creative industries.â
Celebrating QMUâs international students
We love to hear how our international students are achieving their goals and making an impact on the world.
Chefâentrepreneur Sanjyot Keer, who graduated from Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), QMUâs partner institution in India, in 2014, has been named an âAchieverâ in the Business & Entrepreneurship category of the IndiaâUK Achievers Honours Class of 2026. Selected from an outstanding pool of nominees, Sanjyotâs 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 IndiaâUK collaboration.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, Dinda Intan Pramesti Putri, who graduated from QMU 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. Dindaâs pioneering work as Director of Jogja Festivals â including uniting more than 40 festivals, leading major Southeast Asian cultural research, and helping shape Yogyakartaâs development as a âCity of Festivalsâ â demonstrates the transformative power of creative leadership. She was formally recognised at the British Councilâs awards ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia in February 2026.
These achievements showcase the global impact of QMU 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 âShetlandâ, 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 worldâs largest arts festival and her championing of creative communities.
Carol Rogers, National Lead Forensic Scientist for Sexual Offences with the Scottish Police Authorityâs 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 âThe Hunt for Peter Tobinâ, where she discussed the painstaking investigation of the serial killerâs crime scene â work which led to his successful conviction.
The University is keen to champion female entrepreneurship, and we were therefore delighted to recognise Lucinda BruceâGardyne. As founder of Genius Foods, Lucinda was celebrated for her innovations in glutenâfree production, which have transformed the landscape of allergenâfriendly eating in the UK and beyond. Ď
You can read more about our honorary graduates, and how they embody the values at the heart of QMU, by visiting our website.
www.qmu.ac.uk/about-the-university/honorary-graduates