QMU’s mentoring initiative wins Education Project of the Year 2018
A mentoring project that matches students with professionals in their chosen field was a winner at the Scottish Mentoring Awards. Queen Margaret University’s Employer Mentoring and Enterprise Programme, which has paired 350 students with mentors over the last five years, was co-winner of the Education Project of the Year 2018.
This was the second time that the University’s initiative had been recognised at the awards, which are run by the Scottish Mentoring Network.
Launched in 2013, QMU’s mentoring and enterprise project has gone from strength to strength. Each year, the employability team has broadened the range of professionals involved in the project. Students from various courses are now matched with experienced professionals from the hospitality and tourism, business, public relations, film and media, healthcare, as well as third sector organisations. The mentors help get students work ready, by supporting the students in strengthening their CVs, help finding work placements and shadowing, offering important industry insights and networking.
Juan Garcia said: “Through our work at QMU, we are committed to providing outstanding career development opportunities for students and ensuring their skills are suitable for industry. Guidance from an industry mentor can be a real game changer for a student – they can open doors, provide invaluable industry information and set people up on right path. Importantly, we can see our students growing in confidence as they know they’ve got someone in their corner providing direction during their final years at university. Combining the skills and knowledge from their degrees with the support from a mentor, means they can hit the ground running when they enter the workforce.”
Juan concluded: “We are really proud to be co-winners of the Education Project of the Year 2018. We look forward to continue building our partnerships with key industry partners, such as the NHS, the Scottish Government and local authorities, so we can equip students to reach their potential.”
Notes to Editor
For further media information please contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk T: 0131 474 0000.
