The Library’s Archive Service is developing a new international extension of the successful University Story website.

The university has been attracting students from all over the world since John of France in 1464, with students from Russia arriving in 1761, from Brazil in 1811, and from China as early as 1886. But who were they? Why Glasgow? And what did they achieve? A new online resource is being developed to research their stories and showcase our rich heritage of pioneering international students and staff.

The International Story project is funded by the Chancellor’s Fund and aims to promote the University’s global profile. 

The project is led by Moira Rankin, managed by Kerry McDonald, and supported by Archive Services and a team of International Story Student Editors. These student volunteers, recruited through the University’s Club 21 Business Partnership Programme, are researching the University’s historic connections with particular countries, many of them using their language skills and country-specific knowledge to dig out previously hidden facts.

One of these is Gabrielle Migdalski, a student entering her 3rd year of an MA in  Arts & Media Informatics. Her project focuses on the influx of Polish students to the University during the 1940s, a period of mass displacements caused by WWII.Maria Przybylska (née Kolasa), Eminent Polish Chemist

Through her project, Gabrielle has uncovered some Polish pioneers in their respective fields, including Maria Przybylska, an Eminent Polish Chemist.

Gabrielle’s work placement at the archives has enabled her to further develop those attributes associated with a University of Glasgow graduate, among them critical and analytical thinking and effective communication skills, which will be beneficial to her academic study and future career.

An instant outlet for Gabrielle’s findings and those of the other Student Editors can be found at http://uoginternationalstory.wordpress.com/ an accompanying blog to promote the project until the launch of the International Story website, currently being developed by Brian Aitken of HATII.

The project team are keen to hear from staff who have stories of international connections they think should be included or have students (undergraduate and postgraduate) who would be interested in joining the project as International Story Editors.

They also keen to engage with academics, who think that their students might benefit from being involved in the project, or indeed are developing course content and think that elements of the project might prove a good fit.

For further information, contact kerry.mcdonald@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 3 August 2012

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