Where are they now?
We caught up with some of our alumni to find out...
Are you UHI alumni?
Callum Taylor
Studied: BA (Hons) Golf Management
Now: Managing Director, Golf Concierge Scotland Ltd
"I am the owner of a golf tour operator business, Golf Concierge Scotland Ltd, which arranges golf trips for international tourists visiting Scotland."
Key milestones from graduation to now: "Gaining full time employment with IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) in London, shortly after completing the golf management degree in 2011."
Biggest career highlight: "Securing a years internship at Pebble Beach Resorts in California as part of our degree placement work experience was a wonderful experience and opened many doors."
Future aspirations: "To have a healthy work life balance and to continue receiving positive feedback from our clients."
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are: "The BA (Hons) Golf Management degree taught us key skills in regards to marketing, finance, golf operations and the history of golf which are very useful now day to day."
Best thing about studying at UHI: "The fact it was a small campus in Dornoch, we received lots of 1 on 1 tuition from lecturers. The annual trips to assist with the tournament scoring at The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews were always a highlight."
Dr Joanna Storie
Studied: MSc Managing Sustainable Rural Development
Now: Senior lecturer and research coordinator, Estonian University of Life Sciences
"I am now in the landscape architecture department. I lecture on the bioeconomy and nature-based solutions to Estonian bachelor students (in English) and strategic local planning to international and Erasmus students. I have spent time helping with the reorganisation of our master programme and now will be focussed on increasing the research focus of our department.
My husband and I also have an alpaca farm in Latvia - he mainly runs that of course, but I help!"
Key milestones from graduation to now: "Gaining my PhD in 2020."
Biggest career highlight: "Finally getting my PhD after 7 years of research following my Masters."
Future aspirations: "To improve the research output from our department."
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are: "I started off with the Open University, which was fine but UHI really helped me dive deeper into the research. As an online course it certainly prepared me for the COVID era. I am not young, but I was well prepared for the challenges."
Best thing about studying at UHI: "The knowledge gained and ability to do research has been enhanced through the studies at UHI. I often cite this as an example of how low density areas do not need to be left out - one day more low populated countries will catch the vision. "
Michael Leftwich
Studied: HNC Construction Management and HNC Quantity Surveying
Now: Building Surveyor, Rider Levett Bucknall
I carry out various surveys on commercial and residential buildings for organisations, produce specifications, manage the project and act as client administrator on multi-million pound projects.
Key milestones from graduation to now:
2016 - 2020: Carried on studying, gaining job specific technical qualifications, became a member of the Chartered Institute of Building
2021: Moved to the South East of England
2022: Started employment with a global construction consultancy, working from my office in the Shard
Biggest career highlight: Working on the new Anderson High School and Halls of Residence as the Technical Advisor and then managing the ongoing DBFM contract, along with all the people I met with at SIC, SFT and the other contract managers across the North of Scotland.
Future aspirations: Progress my career at RLB, becoming a Senior Associate and then Partner if that's how I feel when the opportunities are there. You don't always have to progress to be happy. Contentment in your position and being excellent at what you do can be enough.
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are: Gave me the base technical knowledge that I can still use today.
Best thing about studying at UHI: The flexibility of being able to stay at home or attend as block release.
Ashish Kumawat
Studied: BEng (Hons) Aircraft Design Engineering
Now: Co-Founder, Aviotron Aerospace, India
"I am the founder of Aviotron Aerospace. Our mission is to provide the next generation with engaging and experiential learning programs that cultivate skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)."
Key milestones from graduation to now: "Building Aviotron Aerospace from the ground up and the progress has been incredible. We're thrilled to have reached a significant milestone of having 7000 students actively enrolled in our programs."
Biggest career highlight: "Leaving the security of a traditional job and venturing into the world of entrepreneurship was a daring move, one that has since proven to be incredibly rewarding. I've had the privilege of shaping an organisation from its inception, nurturing it to grow, and witnessing its evolution into a thriving platform."
Future aspirations: "I am determined to see Aviotron Aerospace recognised globally as the pinnacle of STEAM education. My aspiration is to witness the impact of our efforts reflected in the success stories of our students, as they become the future leaders, problem solvers, and innovators our world needs."
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are: "My experience at UHI Perth was truly transformative and played a crucial role in shaping my journey to where I am today. The education I received equipped me with more than technical knowledge – it gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams, the skills to solve complex problems, and the ability to think innovatively."
Best thing about studying at UHI: "The incredible mentorship and guidance I received from Professor Andrew Rae. His unwavering belief in his students' capabilities and his dedication to nurturing their growth left a lasting mark on me."
Helen MacDonald
Studied: PG Cert Healthcare Quality Improvement
Now: East Regional Performance Lead – Planned Care, NHS Golden Jubilee
I have a National NHS role and am one of only three staff within the Planned Care Team at the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, part of the Golden Jubilee National Hospital.
Since the pandemic, I mainly work from home and am responsible for 5 NHS Boards, providing support to address their waiting times through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and various strategies in order to reduce the number and length of waits, minimise clinical risk and ensure core capacity is maximised.
Biggest career highlight: Becoming a Chartered Manager and receiving my PG Cert from UHI in Gaelic - my mum was from North Uist and a Gaelic speaker so that makes me most proud.
Future aspirations: To share my experience and learning in my role to others in developing their knowledge, skills and career.
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are: Obtaining my PG Cert qualification gave me the edge for career development and widened my QI knowledge beyond previous experience.
Best thing about studying at UHI: You can stay within your area whilst learning and working.
Aime Nice
Studied: BSc Oral Health Science
Now: Associate lecturer, Curtin University, Australia
I work part time in a private dental practice as a dental hygienist and part time as a university lecturer, educating oral health therapy students.
Key milestones from graduation to now:
2014: Moved to Western Australia
2016: Gained my dental license in Australia and started practising dental hygiene again
2020: Married my best friend in the middle of the pandemic
2022: Gained an internationally accredited life coaching qualification and started working as a clinical educator at the university
2023: Employed as a university lecturer and welcomed the arrival of our daughter!
Biggest career highlight: Discovering my passion for teaching and being able to pass along knowledge and skills to the next generation of oral health therapists.
Future aspirations: To combine my passion for dentistry, teaching and coaching to create a programme for the newly graduated oral health therapists to step up and become the best professionals they can be.
How did your course at UHI help you to get where you are: Our course was tough but looking back it instilled in me some fantastic professional values that still serve me today and the training we received was second to none.
Best thing about studying at UHI: I feel it was ahead of its time. I was a part of a brand new course but we had access to state of the art facilities and technology.
Francis Legge aka Chef Scottish Francis
Studied: HNC Acting and Performance
Now: TV Chef and owner of the Shortbread Society
"I am a TV chef in the USA, appearing on shows such as MasterChef and Snack vs Chef. I also own a Scottish bakery making true Scottish shortbread and shipping it all over the country."
Winfrida Mwongela
Studied: BA (Hons) Business and Management with HRM
Now: Recruitment support, Mercy Ships, a global non-profit
"My role involves collaborating with the global recruitment team to ensure seamless recruitment, experience, training, etc. for mainly volunteers and employees."
Rachael Bisset
Studied: BA Music Business
Now: Assistant Manager, Assai Records
"My role includes repping instore and outstore album launch events in Dundee. We’ve hosted events for artists/bands such as All Time Low, Chvrches, Yungblud, Lewis Capaldi and Texas."