Glasgow awarded UNESCO Learning City status
Glasgow has been revealed as a UNESCO Learning City in recognition for outstanding achievements in lifelong learning – and the University is delighted to be a partner in this.
Glasgow is the only city in Scotland to date to have this honour bestowed, and the only European city to be named as a Learning City in 2024, along with Cork in Ireland.
The award was announced alongside nine other world cities at a ceremony in December to kick-start the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
The University is home to innovative programmes and partnerships, both global and local, that have contributed to this international accolade for the city. Examples of inspiring and innovative practice were shared in the city’s award application, from the UNESCO Refugee Integration through Languages & the Arts; GALLANT (Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation); PASCAL (Place & Social Capital & Learning); and GRID (Glasgow Riverside Innovation District).
Professor Rachel Sandison is Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement: “We are absolutely delighted to share with partners in this incredible achievement for the City of Glasgow and its community of learners. Learning must be accessible to all ages and backgrounds, and we strive to achieve this at the University of Glasgow through our widening participation programmes, civic engagement, partnerships and research collaborations.
“It is extremely exciting to see Glasgow recognised as an outstanding global exemplar, and we look forward to making the most of the opportunities this brings, both as the University of Glasgow and a Glasgow Learning City partner, to the communities we serve.”