University of Glasgow Connect

NOVEMBER 2023

I am delighted to announce that the University of Glasgow has been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education in recognition of work being carried out by our Centre for Robert Burns Studies. This is the sixth time that the University has been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize, which is a wonderful achievement and one which we are thrilled to share with you in this month’s newsletter. My deepest thanks and congratulations to all colleagues involved.

Having shared the news of the closure of our hugely successful flagship fundraising campaign, which secured over £125m in philanthropic commitments, this month we look to the future of fundraising at Glasgow with our Head of Strategic Philanthropy, Margaret Clift, giving an overview of our planned year-long celebrations, and how fundraising is changing our campus, enhancing our partnerships and helping to drive ground-breaking research.

At the end of October, we hosted the latest instalment of our World Changing Glasgow Conversation series. Chaired by our Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, the panel, comprised of university leaders from across the globe, discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the higher education sector today, as well as the issues that keep them "awake at night". Thank you to everyone who joined us for what was a truly insightful and thought-provoking session. While the discussion emphasised the increasingly challenging landscape that universities are having to operate in, it also highlighted the many opportunities that exist, especially when we come together and embrace the power of collective action. A recording of the roundtable session can be found here.

This month we also discuss our commitment to equitable partnerships through our engagement with the Clusters of Research Excellence, established by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities. As an institution, we are incredibly proud to be co-leading and participating in Clusters of Research Excellence, which embody our desire to tackle real-world global challenges, while developing sustainable and meaningful relationships with our partners.

Best wishes,
Rachel Sandison
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement)