January 2018

Covering each decade from the 1970s to the 2010s, this month's featured alumni are all members of our global clubs and groups. And they have all been helping to organise Burns suppers, bringing a reminder of Scotland to alumni communities around the world.

Helga Ögmundsdóttir

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Helga M. Ögmundsdóttir
Helga Ögmundsdóttir organised the alumni Burns supper in Reykjavik, Iceland.

From meeting her life partner to setting up a fulfilling career in medical research and education, Helga Ögmundsdóttir, president of the Iceland alumni group, describes the impact her PhD studies has had on her life.

Read Helga Ögmundsdóttir's profile

I had six wonderful years in Edinburgh, first as a student and then as a lecturer. By now this is less than ten percent of my years of life, but much more than that in reality.

Helga Ögmundsdóttir
President of the Iceland alumni group

David Gray

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David Gray
David Gray organised the alumni Burns supper in Washington DC.

Two-time GeoSciences graduate David Gray tells us about his global career leading to 22 years at the World Bank and his role as president of the Edinburgh University Alumni Club of Washington DC.

Read David Gray's profile

I found [my passion] quite quickly, international development, and several department expeditions to Belize really sealed the deal.  A small country with a lot of challenges, it seems that everything we learned during our degree was playing itself out on the ground.

David Gray
President of the Edinburgh University Alumni Club of Washington DC

Leonard Tam

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Leonard Tam
Leonard Tam organised the alumni Burns supper in Luxembourg.

President of the alumni group in Luxembourg, Leonard Tam describes how he took advantage of many extracurricular activities during his Law studies.

Read Leonard Tam's Profile

I [took] full advantage of the diversity of activities on the many doorsteps, be it the languages classes on your lunch break, evening classes for philosophical film studies, or the Sunday shift serving staff their lunch at the Sheraton Hotel.

Leonard Tam
President of the Luxembourg alumni group

Blake Anneberg

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Blake Anneberg
Blake Anneberg co-organised the first alumni Burns supper in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Technology enthusiast Blake Anneberg is a committee member of the Denver alumni group. He tells us how an inspiring meeting has encouraged him in his career.

Read Blake Anneberg's profile

During my time in Edinburgh I had the chance to meet alumnus and NASA astronaut Piers Sellers. His passion for science and exploration for humanity inspires me to this day.

Blake Anneberg
Committee member of the Denver alumni group

Vainius Glinskis

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Vainius Glinskis
Vainius Glinskis co-organised the alumni Burns supper in New York.

Committee member of the Edinburgh University Club of New York and recent economics graduate Vainius Glinskis tells us how he ended up in in the Scottish capital and describes his young career to date.

Vainius Glinskis' profile

I knew I would regret not chasing an off the beaten path to higher education even if it seemed daunting at the time.

Vainius Glinskis
Committee member of the Edinburgh University Club of New York

Global alumni community

As a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, you are joining a global community of over 260,000 people. This professional and social network provides a lifetime of support with clubs and contacts across the world, along with a range of groups and resources online.

Global community

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