Vice Principal and Head of the College of Social Sciences, Professor Anne Anderson, and Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Professor Carol Hill were delighted to welcome Scottish Government Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, to the University’s Dumfries campus last Wednesday.

Hosted by University, the Minister was able to meet with staff and students to discuss the school’s impact in the region, the successful widening participation efforts pioneered in Dumfries and to hear of some of the world-leading research being undertaken on campus.

Commenting after the meeting, Professor Anderson said: “Our campus in Dumfries is a vital component in the University’s strategy and ongoing success – and I was delighted to highlight some of the real positives of our work and the talents of our students to the Minister today.

“At the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, widening participation in the university journey is key to what we do – with our hugely successful HNC to HE articulation programme the first of its kind in Scotland, and enjoying a 100 per cent continuation rate.”

Important contribution

Further and Higher Education Minister, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “It’s great to be here to learn more about developments and future plans for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. The Crichton Campus is vital in bringing further and higher education closer to people living in the south of Scotland and I recognize the important contribution made by the School towards this.

“Widening access to higher education is a key priority for this Government. It’s not just about widening access to freshers fayres, but supporting students through to graduation and the careers opportunities that follow.

“It is welcome to see the priority being placed on this, with close collaboration with Dumfries and Galloway College and impressive continuation rates. It is this type of approach that the Commission on Widening Access made clear was required. I look forward to following the progress of the University and the Crichton Campus as it continues to work to support all students to access success during university and beyond.”

Professor Hill added: "We are immensely proud of the role the University of Glasgow plays in Dumfries and across the south of Scotland – with student numbers continuing to grow year on year, and our graduates playing an important role in highly-skilled jobs across the region.”

Vice Principal and Head of the College of Social Sciences, Professor Anne Anderson, and Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Professor Carol Hill were delighted to welcome Scottish Government Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, to the University’s Dumfries campus

First published: 11 December 2017

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