Student putting new talents to good use as QUB summer graduation season starts

Among those celebrating a degree in Business Management was one Co Tyrone graduate who is already putting his new talents to good use.

Aidan McGeary from Dungannon transferred to the degree course at the end of his first year at Queen’s after originally opting for Business IT. And while that move gave him the opportunity for a work placement with PwC in Belfast, Aidan ploughed his own path into the business world — and is now a CEO in his own right, having set up an innovative clothing business for people who wear medical devices.

As chief executive and co-founder of Mude — an adaptive clothing company providing garments for people who need to wear a medical device — Aidan initially focused on helping people who use insulin pumps to manage diabetes. “The clothing products at Mude are specifically designed to fit underneath existing clothing items to ensure that individuals who wear medical devices do not have to adapt their fashion sense, and can wear the clothes they love,” he said.

It was at the Start For Future programme where Aidan met his Mude co-founder. This is a programme where an international network of entrepreneurial universities and incubators work together to transform universities to develop sustainable, innovative programmes that enable future leaders and change-makers.

Also graduating from the school of business was Guilherme Santos, 16 years after moving to Northern Ireland from his native Brazil as a seven-year-old.

He said throwing himself into university life, engaging with his fellow students, has helped him land a graduate job with Lancia Consult from September.

Guilherme has been an active member of Queen’s Business School (QBS), getting involved in all aspects of student life. In the final year of his studies in particular, Guilherme got deeply involved in QBS Connect — run by and for students within the school. “One of our main goals was fostering a sense of community through our events,” he said.

“This role not only allowed me to make a positive impact on my peers but also provided me with valuable experiences that I will carry forward.”

Graduation ceremonies at Queen’s University will be taking place over the next week, with ceremonies at Ulster University due to begin from Monday.