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postgraduate students studying in the sun

Postgraduate students studying in the sunshine

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the News

Summer 2024

Welcome to the Summer issue of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the News.


The town may be quieter with many of our students away, but our world-leading research continues. In this issue, you can read about some of the exciting projects that are under way at the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.


You can also hear from alumni who are making waves around the world, from winning a national environmental impact award, to creating employment opportunities for refugees, and improving research access to valuable historical collections.


An especially warm welcome to our newest alumni – the Class of 2024 – who will be receiving ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the News for the first time this month.


Please do keep in touch through Development events, Alumni Stories, Alumni Authors and on social media.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students celebrating being the most positive in the UK

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students most positive in the UK

Students at the University of St Andrews are more positive about their education than students at any other mainstream university in the UK, according to the results of the .


The NSS put 26 questions to thousands of undergraduates at universities across the UK – and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø came top on an average positivity score. The questions cover students’ opinions on teaching quality, assessment and feedback, support for mental health, and facilities.


St Andrews also came top in the UK for academic support and learning resources.


ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students celebrating being the most positive in the UK

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø leads the way with new Chair in Energy

The University has announced the appointment of a new Chair in Energy, marking a groundbreaking era in battery technology research, which is crucial for addressing the climate emergency.


ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, in partnership with the Faraday Institution, has welcomed Professor Venkataraman Thangadurai as its new Chair in Energy. 


Professor Thangadurai has been awarded a Faraday Institution Adjunct Professorial Fellowship and joins ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø from the University of Calgary, Canada. His research addresses key challenges in energy storage and aims to facilitate the adoption of more efficient and sustainable energy technologies.


   Find out more about endowed chairs and lectureships at the University.


Trevor Binau, golf tournament winner

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø student wins prestigious international golf tournament

Congratulations to postgraduate student Trevor Binau, who secured a remarkable victory in the 74th – the first time a ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø student has won the event since 2016.


The Boyd Quaich Memorial Golf tournament is an international student event hosted by the University of St Andrews at the Home of Golf, attracting competitors from Australia, Asia, Africa, the USA, Canada and Europe.


Trevor – a postgraduate marketing student and  from Columbus, Ohio – clinched the title by finishing four strokes ahead of defending champion Ben Willis of Edge Golf College, Portugal.  


An example of a seat plaque in the Younger Hall

Your seat in the Younger Hall

Become part of the ceremonial heart of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø with an inscribed seat plaque in the Younger Hall – one of the University’s most iconic buildings. Countless students have sat exams, performed in concerts and danced at ceilidhs here, as well as crossing its stage to become fully-fledged alumni.


The recent refurbishment of the Younger Hall has included replacing the fixed seating in the lower section. Find more information about how to make a gift for an inscribed seat plaque below.


Kaleidopscope Alumni Network graphic

Kaleidoscope Alumni Network newsletter

The second issue of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network (KAN) newsletter has been published featuring podcasts, news, stories and events that celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates around the world.


You can read the latest issue below.

Read the KAN newsletter

All are welcome in Kaleidoscope. If you don’t receive KAN communications and would like to, please contact Dr Catherine Dunford at stakan@st-andrews.ac.uk to register.


Researcher in laboratory

University Research Blog

Did you know that you can read about ongoing research projects at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø through the University's Research Blog?


Find out how ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø academics and postgraduate researchers are , collaborating across the sciences to , and developing to illuminate our mobile phone, television and smart watch screens.


Environmental award presentation

Alumni Stories

We are delighted to feature Alumni Stories from four ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduates in this issue.


Visual artist and writer reflects on learning and loss following the death of renowned poet – and her former PhD superviser – Professor John Burnside earlier this year. 


(pictured) reflects on her journey from a degree in Marine Biology to winning a Pride of Abu Dhabi award for her contribution to environmental conservation, and shares how the charity he founded after graduating in 2021 is supporting refugees into work through a new rickshaw service set to launch in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.


talks about curating historical clothing, TikTok success and her nomination as a finalist in the British Council’s global .


Contact the editor at sem28@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like to share your Alumni Story.


Alumni Authors

The BBC: A People's History


David Hendy (MA 1984)

book cover

The Archaeology of Wild Birds in Britain and Ireland


Dale Serjeantson Thomson (MA 1964)

book cover


Men's hockey team

SaintsFunder: Saints Hockey bursary

Saints Hockey – the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Hockey Club – was founded in 1904 and has eight women’s teams and four men’s teams competing in both BUCS and national leagues. Players also provide outreach opportunities and coaching for children in the local community.


The Club aims to provide a Saints Hockey Bursary for the 2024-2025 academic year, making the sport more accessible and breaking down the barriers to engagement in hockey for both physical and social benefits.


A concert at the Laidlaw Music Centre

Laidlaw Live

Look out for the latest Laidlaw Music Centre concerts and live-streamed concerts and access high quality music – wherever you are in the world.

What's on at the Laidlaw


Two hands forming a heart

Reconnect!

If you know someone who would like to reconnect and sign up for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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