The UK's independent quality body has commended the University of Glasgow for success in promoting equality and diversity and the strong partnership it has built with its student community.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) appointed a team of six independent experts to review the University earlier this academic year. The team awarded the University commendations in six areas, including its:

  • strong and productive relationship with its Student Representative Council
  • long-established strategic approach to widening access, which it continues to develop through engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders
  • progress towards establishing parity of esteem between teaching and research notably through the career development pathways for academic staff
  • Academic Writing Skills Programme: a mandatory course that aims to improve the academic writing skills of all students.

The report also commends the University for its proactive approach to promoting equality and diversity. By appointing Equality Champions and working closely with student representatives, the University is making good progress, in particular in the areas of mental health, LGBT and student parents and carers.

QAA makes six recommendations for the University, including:

  • making external examiners' reports accessible to students
  • ensuring that it systematically monitors the experience of postgraduate research students.

"At the University of Glasgow we are committed to giving our students the best possible learning experience," said Professor Frank Coton, Vice-Principal (Academic Planning and Technological Innovation) at the University of Glasgow.

"Our entire approach is founded on a strong partnership with the student body and we are pleased that the ELIR  (Enhancement-Led Institutional Review) process has identified both the strength of our student learning experience and the centrality of our partnership approach in achieving that.

"Our staff are committed to our students and work extremely hard to provide the experiences and environment they need to get the very best from their time at University. The positive nature of the ELIR outcomes reflect their commitment and effort.

"We are grateful to QAA Scotland for ensuring that the ELIR process continues to support a thriving enhancement culture in Scottish universities."

First published: 23 July 2019

<< 23 July 2019


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