University of Glasgow Connect

An enduring belief in the power of international collaboration

As Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli prepares to step down, he reflects on the transformation he has seen over 16 years as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow.

We are not only one of the very best Universities in the world, but we aspire to be the best university for the world. This is a vision that we take great pride in and as I prepare to step down as Principal, I find myself reflecting on how far the University of Glasgow has come.

This vision has guided our approach and will continue to shape our future. At the end of September, I will step down after 16 memorable years. During that time, the University has undergone a significant transformation.

In 2009, our international engagement was relatively modest, made up of a number of small-scale bilateral partnerships and participation in a few networks. At that time, we welcomed around 3,500 international students to Glasgow. Over the past 15 years, by focusing on global collaboration, we have transformed our international profile. Today, we are proud to host approximately 14,000 international students and are part of many more diverse and dynamic networks of global partnerships and alliances.

This transformation is reflected in the diversity of our community. We now attract exceptional students and staff from across Scotland, the UK, and more than 140 countries around the world. Our global reputation is reflected in our position in both the QS and Times Higher Education World Rankings. We’ve also held firm in THE Impact Rankings, placing 12th in the world, making us 1st in Scotland, 2nd in the UK, and 3rd in Europe, despite growing international competition. We have invested £1.8bn on transforming our campus environment, and we have expanded our TNE provision, with three programmes now operating in both China and Singapore.

This success has been made possible by the dedication of our community and by the strength of our partnerships. We work with outstanding people, whether that’s locally, nationally or internationally and our global network of partners is a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines our university.

One thing is clear; we cannot exist in a vacuum. The world has changed dramatically in recent years. We’ve navigated the shocks of Brexit, a global pandemic, and now face a shifting geopolitical landscape marked by rising levels of inflation and increasing threats to academic freedom. In the UK, we face considerable funding challenges across all four UK nations, including in Scotland given that public funding has not kept pace with inflation. Yet, thanks to our robust financial framework and the resilience of our community, we remain well-positioned to navigate these pressures. International competition for the most talented students has also become more intense and despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, the importance of global collaboration has never been greater.

At the University of Glasgow, our international partnerships are not simply strategic, they are values-driven. I have fond memories of graduation ceremonies with our TNE partners in China and Singapore, meeting new graduates and their families, moments that symbolise the deep and enduring relationships we’ve built in country. Our furthest partner, the University of Sydney, exemplifies our international reach and shared values. For over a decade, we’ve collaborated on research, education, and student and staff mobility, united by a commitment to serving our communities. In Malawi, I was delighted to open the Blantyre-Blantyre Laboratory, which will allow sustainable scientific collaborations with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences to tackle infectious and non-infectious diseases. And closer to home, through networks and alliances such as the Guild and CIVIS, we remain a proud European institution. Our partnerships unlock opportunities, translating research into impact and innovation. From working in partnership to build capacity and advance public health in Malawi to pushing the boundaries of quantum research with our European partners, these are the kinds of collaborations that truly change the world, and they are the values I hope we continue to champion.

As we look ahead to our 575th anniversary in 2026, we begin a new chapter, one marked by fresh leadership and a bold new 10-year strategic plan. I look forward to the future with optimism and confidence that the University of Glasgow will retain its strong sense of ambition. I believe the University will continue to evolve and adapt to societal changes and will remain a leader in research, teaching, and civic engagement.

I will continue to be a huge supporter of the University, and I look forward to the future.