November graduation celebrations

More than a thousand students gained their academic awards at our recent graduation ceremonies on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 November. Congratulations to our new alumni!

Our most recent graduates should by now have received their own bespoke video clip of their moment crossing the stage. Contact us to find out how to receive yours.

St Andrews Prize for the Environment

In the previous issue, we shared the breaking news that Alianza Ceibo had been named winner of the 2023 St Andrews Prize for the Environment. The non-profit alliance of Indigenous nationalities was awarded US$100,000 for its efforts to conserve rainforests.

The two runners-up were Cameroon-based BleagLee, which fights climate change using drone-based remote sensing and satellite imagery to combat open waste burning and poor waste disposal, and Circular Ocean, a social and environmental impact organisation working to tackle the unsustainable disposal of fishing nets by recycling them into a replacement for virgin plastics.

Circular Ocean was represented at the awards by Project Director and St Andrews alumna Mafalda de Freitas (BSc Marine Biology 2012).

St Andrews academics feature at COP28

The University was represented at COP28 in Dubai by Professor Bill Austin, who is conducting research into blue carbon to mitigate against climate change; Dr Elina Apine, Research Associate, School of Geography and Sustainable Development; Dr Mette High, Director of the Centre for Energy Ethics; Dr Gosia Mitka, Senior Lecturer, Business School and Associate Dean, Education (Arts and Divinity), who sits on our Environmental Sustainability Board; and Dr Paul Webb, an expert on the integration of electrochemical systems and industrial process development. Dr Webb is leading the University's Power to X programme.

Robert Fleming (Director of Development), Pamela Stephenson (Head of Development, London & International) and Tania Hutt (Head of Development, Science and Medicine) comprised the Development team supporting our academics at COP28. 

We were delighted to have the opportunity to catch up with alumni and parents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the Summit at two Development events. Our thanks to all those who joined us in the UAE.

St Andrews is first university to receive Gender-Based Violence Charter Award

St Andrews has become the first University in the UK to receive the EmilyTest Gender-Based Violence Charter Award, as a result of its commitment to achieving a campus that is responsible in tackling gender-based violence.

Rapid Prototyping Centre opens at Eden Campus

Quaestor and Factor (Chief Operating Officer) Derek Watson MBE officially opened the Rapid Prototyping Centre at Eden Campus recently. The Centre aims to foster academic and industrial collaborations in and around Fife and beyond. It provides a solid place to build a highly skilled workforce and enables individuals to develop the latest technical skills in sustainable design and manufacturing.

Further acclaim for Laidlaw Music Centre

The Laidlaw Music Centre continues to receive recognition, most recently at the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award. Although the Laidlaw did not win – we extend our congratulations to Ann Nisbet Studio – its inclusion in the shortlist is testament to the acclaim it has received since officially opening in April 2022.

The building has already won a RIBA National Award; Best Public Building at the Scottish Design Awards; a St Andrews Preservation Trust Award; a Concrete Society Commendation; was shortlisted in the ‘Culture – Completed Buildings’ section at the World Architecture Festival; and has just been announced as a Regional Finalist for the 2024 Civic Trust Awards.

The video below demonstrates the value of the Laidlaw Music Centre to students, teachers and members of the community alike.

Kaleidoscope Alumni Network launches newsletter

The Kaleidoscope Alumni Network (KAN) has released a dedicated newsletter to celebrate one year since its launch in November 2022. KAN exists to celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of our alumni around the world. It aims to create a greater sense of belonging and a fairer, more inclusive St Andrews community.

To get involved with KAN, contact Dr Catherine Dunford, Alumni Relations and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Engagement Coordinator at stakan@st-andrews.ac.uk.

The Andrew Carnegie Lecture Series

Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill of Sherborne, GCMG FRGS LLD, will give the next lecture entitled 'Global Challenges: Cooperation in the Era of Competition' on Tuesday 16 January 2024 at 6pm in School III, St Salvator's Quadrangle, St Andrews.

This event is free and open to all.

Find out more about the Carnegie Lecture Series.

Alumni Stories

We love to receive and share stories from our alumni about your time at the University, and about your journey beyond.

This month, we feature Alex MacDonald (BSc 2015), and Clare Stevens (née Diamond, MA 1979), pictured. Alex shares his career journey from graduation to opening an award-winning distillery, while Clare reflects on her experience of moving to St Andrews from Belfast during the height of the Troubles.  

Email the editor at sem28@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like to share your story.

Alumni Podcast

John Edward (MA 1993) is Head of Operations at the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, a joint initiative between the universities of St Andrews, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Our thanks to John for sharing the new SCGA podcast with our alumni community.

The first episodes feature Professor Phillips O’Brien, Head of the School of International Relations and Professor of Strategic Studies at St Andrews and Professor Stephen Gethins, Professor of Practice in International Relations and Strategic Adviser at the University. 

The first four episodes are available now on all major podcast platforms.

If you produce a podcast and would like to share it with fellow alumni, contact the editor at sem28@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Alumni Authors

To register your book on our Alumni Authors page, please complete the online form below.

Alumni Carol Services

Our thanks to all those who joined us in St Salvator’s Chapel and St Columba's Church in London for this year’s St Andrews Alumni Carol Services and festive receptions. It was a pleasure to welcome so many alumni, friends and supporters.

Save the date for Global Burns Night 2024!

The 2024 celebration will take place online at 7pm (UK time) on Thursday 25 January. Further information will follow. Please save the date!

Alumni Weekend 2024

Please save the date for next year’s Alumni Weekend from 14-16 June 2024. More details to follow in the new year, including how to book your residential accommodation with a special discount!

Postgraduate study at St Andrews

Considering postgraduate study? A postgraduate degree from the University of St Andrews can help you expand your professional network, gain expertise in your field and acquire the skills you need to advance your career.

SaintsFunder

This month’s SaintsFunder project – SAASUM – is led by a committee of students who coordinate an annual event focused on Africa and the African diaspora. SAASUM introduces African affairs to students who might otherwise have little connection to the continent. The 2024 event will mark the 10th anniversary of the Summit.

Laidlaw Live

The Laidlaw Music Centre presents an exciting and varied programme of concerts throughout the year, many of which are live-streamed and can be enjoyed wherever you are in the world.

Reconnect!

If you know someone who would like to reconnect and sign up for St Andrews in the News, they can do so using the links below:

Alumni: Update your contact information

Parents/guardians of undergraduate students: Register to join the Family Programme

Email: alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.