News Archive
December 2007
Small Nations in a Digital World: Culture, Devolution and the Scottish Media
Dingwall Nurse Scoops Top Student Award
James Naughtie to be Next Stirling Chancellor
Small Nations in a Digital World: Culture, Devolution and the Scottish Media
Date released: Friday 7 December
Professor Neil Blain, Head of the University of Stirling’s Department of Film & Media Studies, will deliver his Inaugural Public Lecture on Wednesday 12 December, Logie Lecture Theatre, 5 - 6pm. The subject of his talk will be: Small Nations in a Digital World: Culture, Devolution and the Scottish Media.
Speaking ahead of the event, Professor Neil Blain said: “Looking round Europe and beyond, we can see during the last 40 or so years a simultaneous growth of two different but related developments. Globalization has affected many aspects of our lives - not least local control over life. It has redrawn our sense of who we are as workers and consumers; of where we belong, and what belongs to us. During this period we have also witnessed a reassertion of local rights and interests. In Scotland, Catalunya and elsewhere, there are new or restored political powers, and across much of the world, the importance of the local dimension of people’s lives has been reasserted. Meanwhile, much of what we call culture has become media culture. Contemporary lives are inconceivable without the media, now led by the internet and our obsession with mobile communications. The future for the voices of small countries in the digital world is unclear. Will there be more opportunity for minority voices to be heard? Is this a question for the market to decide? And if local cultural production can be sustained, will it - amidst ferocious competition - be of a quality to sustain popularity and investment?”
Entry to the event is free and members of the public are welcome to attend. To reserve a place, please RSVP to: externalrelations@stir.ac.uk or 01786 467055
Lesley Wilkinson
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
Dingwall Nurse Scoops Top Student Award
Date released: Friday 14 December 2007
Dingwall nurse Karen McKenzie has scooped the University of Stirling’s 2007 RG Bomont award for excellence in clinical practice – after fending off competition from 320 fellow nursing students from across the Highlands, Western Isles and Central Scotland.
The 25-year-old former Dingwall Academy pupil, who grew up in Strathpeffer, graduated from the University of Stirling’s Highland Campus in November (see image attached) and has since landed her first full-time nursing post at Raigmore Hospital.
Professor Tommy Starrs, Head of the University’s Department of Nursing & Midwifery, said: “Nursing and Midwifery are practice-based professions. Whilst intellectual ability and academic learning is essential, it is learning for a purpose – that is, to deliver the highest quality of care to patients. It is in recognition of the translation of knowledge into skilled practice that the RG Bomont Award was created. Karen has shown a high degree of commitment to the application of nursing knowledge to the care she delivers to patients, which is insightful, considerate and profoundly caring. The department is very proud of her achievements. She is a credit to all of those who supported her throughout her education, to her family and ultimately to herself.”
Karen’s personal tutor, Brian James added: “It is clear from what is said about Karen by mentors that she is an exceptionally gifted clinical nurse. Having seen her reflective accounts, I can vouch for the hard work Karen puts in. She has allied emotional intelligence to critical thinking to deliver an outstanding level of clinical insight and performance. She is also self-effacing, straightforward and honest. The profession is in safe hands with someone so able starting her professional career.”
Karen worked in the care sector before studying to become a nurse. She said: “I always wanted to be a nurse from a very young age, but when I left school at 17 I felt I needed to gain some experience working within the care sector to find out if it really was for me. So I spent five years working within local private care homes caring for elderly patients and also clients with learning disabilities. Throughout this time I also completed my SVQ levels 2 and 3 in social care. I quickly realised that nursing was for me and how rewarding a job it really was. Through working in private care homes I gained a good grounding in all aspects of basic nursing care; this also gave me the desire to challenge myself and complete my nursing training.”
Studying was not always easy but Karen was determined to follow her dream, as she explained: “Throughout my training I have to admit there were many highs and lows. At times I found it very stressful trying to complete all the written work and hold down a part-time job working as a bank nursing auxiliary within Raigmore Hospital. However, I enjoyed a great variety of placements from working within the Intensive Therapy Unit at Raigmore to being way up north working with the community nurses in Thurso. I also spent lot of time within the Medical Assessment Unit at Raigmore – this is where I developed a keen interest in medical nursing, particularly respiratory nursing. I had the opportunity to work with and care for so many great people, that have all in their own way inspired and motivated my own nursing practice.”
Karen is currently working in Raigmore’s Chest Unit and is relishing the opportunity to put her learning into practice: “I am thoroughly enjoying the work there. I feel this is an excellent first post for me as there is such a variety of things that go on within the ward. I realise that this is just the beginning for me. This is where I really start learning and developing as a staff nurse. For the moment I want to learn as much as I possibly can to help me develop to my full potential as a staff nurse and carry on providing good quality holistic nursing care for all patients and their families in my care. In the future I would possibly like to do some more studying, but for now I am where I am happiest working hands-on with the patients.”
Lesley Wilkinson
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058
James Naughtie to be Next Stirling Chancellor
Date released: Monday 17 December 2007
The University of Stirling is delighted to announce the appointment of James Naughtie as its next Chancellor, following approval by the University Court at its meeting today (Monday 17 December). Mr Naughtie will succeed Dame Diana Rigg whose term of office ends on 31 July 2008.
James Naughtie, an internationally renowned broadcaster, journalist and author, is an honorary graduate of the University.
He commented: “The community of Scottish Universities means a great deal to me. I know that the University of Stirling is flourishing and I am very proud to be part of its future. I am thrilled at the prospect.”
The University’s Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christine Hallett, also expressed her pleasure at the appointment.
She said: “I am delighted that James Naughtie has accepted the appointment. As a very distinguished Scot with an outstanding international reputation he will represent superbly the University’s core values. He will undoubtedly be a worthy successor to Dame Diana Rigg who has served the University with great distinction for nearly a decade.”
Lesley Wilkinson
Media Relations Manager
(01786) 467058