When you join Ulster University on a practical or applied course, you'll be supported by our expert technicians. Whether you're studying in the creative industries, life and health sciences, engineering, or hospitality, these skilled professionals work behind the scenes in labs and studios to ensure your success. From learning new technologies to preparing for your placement year, they'll guide you every step of the way.
Engineering: Richard Ward
Richard was a mature student at Ulster before going on to work as a technician in the School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems. As an Engineering student, you will have access to equipment and materials that you would never have experienced at school, so Richard is on hand to introduce you to how they work. Over your first 2 years of study, he will support you to gain important skills and confidence ahead of your industrial placement year.
As a technician, Richard isn’t involved in assessing student work, which allows you to feel comfortable in making mistakes and testing your technical skills and knowledge.
Richard Ward
Pharmacy: Dr Nermeen Ali
Pharmacy technician Dr Nermeen Ali supports teaching, prepares materials, and delivers practical lab classes. Her hard work makes all the difference to our pharmacy students as they settle into their studies. Nermeen will guide you on how to work in a real pharmacy environment and help you feel right at home in the lab. She will also work with you to arrange your clinical placement.
Nermeen’s support and encouragement will help you build skills and confidence in dispensing and interacting with doctors and patients. Her constructive feedback during interactive activities such as recording a patient history, taking blood pressure, or working with new medicines will allow you to learn and grow in your future career.
Dr Nermeen Ali
Academy Restaurant: Matthew Colgan
Matthew Colgan studied Culinary Arts Management at Ulster University and worked as head chef in a Co. Down hotel. He then joined the team as a supervisor technician in the Business School’s Academy training restaurant, where our students learn all they need to know to prepare for a career in hospitality.
Matthew supports the training staff in their teaching and oversees the front of house in the restaurant, supporting first and second year students ahead of their placement year in the hospitality sector. He is passionate about hospitality as a career and is committed to helping students gain confidence in their interactions with the public and all the aspects of front of house that create a 5-star customer experience.
Matthew Colgan
Belfast School of Art: Grainne Taylor
Grainne Taylor spent 10 years as a costume maker on blockbuster films such as Dune 2, How to Train Your Dragon and Cyrano, as well as big TV productions including Good Omens, Outlander, Torvill and Dean for ITV and Game of Thrones, for which she won an Emmy!
As a Fashion technician in Belfast School of Art, Grainne instructs undergraduate and postgraduate students in clothing design, making and garment construction, using state-of-the fashion technologies and sustainable design practices. You will find her in the studios helping our students build their confidence in the techniques, equipment, materials and processes they need to create their designs.
You will also find her backstage with our students at the annual fashion show, helping them with finishing touches before the models take to the catwalk and unveil our students’ hard work and talent.
Grainne Taylor
