National strategy role for UofG Library's Martina

Image of Martina McChrystal, Director of Library Services at the University of Glasgow, who has been appointed as chair of the National School Library Strategy advisory group. Martina McChrystal, Director of Library Services at the University of Glasgow, has been appointed as chair of the National School Library Strategy advisory group.  The strategy will improve the role of school libraries and librarians in literacy skills and educational attainment, and will include national guidance for service provision to deliver consistency across the country.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education John Swinney said: "I am delighted to appoint Martina McChrystal as Chair of the National School Library Strategy advisory group.  She brings a wealth of experience to the role which will help to empower school libraries and librarians to play their part in improving literacy skills and educational attainment throughout Scotland."

As chair of the school library strategy advisory group, Martina McChrystal will be responsible for leading the development of the strategy with a wide range of stakeholders.  Martina brings over 30 years’ experience in library and information services to the role.  At the UofG, she is responsible for supporting learning and research through library services and extensive collections.  Prior to joining the University, Martina was Libraries and Information Services Manager at The City of Edinburgh Council, where she was responsible for the council’s award-winning public library service, and she led on the early stages of service transformation to integrate community and secondary school libraries.  Martina also provided expert advice for Scotland’s national public library strategy, Ambition and Opportunity: A National Strategy for Scotland’s Public Libraries 2015-2020. 

Converge Challenge

This year's Converge Challenge, the leading university programme aimed at the next generation of entrepreneurs, was launched last week.

Converge Challenge, now in its eighth year, is aimed at staff, students and recent graduates from all Scottish universities, inspiring them to develop their ideas into viable and successful ventures. The University of Glasgow has a very strong record of success in the competition.

The competition attracted over 200 entries in 2017. Between 2011 and 2016, the programme provided training to 180 Converge businesses that have an overall survival rate of 78% post three years with an opportunity for applicants in Converge Challenge to go from idea inception to being a feasible and scalable business both nationally and globally.

Olga Kozlova, Director of Converge Challenge, said: “In 2018 we are encouraging as many staff, students and recent graduates from all our excellent Scottish Universities to apply and take advantage of our offering that turns innovative concepts and projects into growing businesses and helps create a new generation of entrepreneurs."

2017 saw Converge Challenge hit a significant target of 43% of the finalists being female; with the 2018 target striving to gain greater equality with across all of our entrants. Converge Alumni success stories include:

• A wearable device providing protection for lone workers.
• An app that supports people with cognitive decline - MindMate was the brainchild of our 2017 Young Alumnus of the Year winners, Susanne Mitschke and Patrick Renner, graduates from the Adam Smith Business School. 
• A battery powered airflow back-rest cushion designed for wheelchairs - UofG graduate Corien Stael.

The 2018 programme has a total prize fund of cash and in-kind, business support packages valued at over £160,000+, finalists also receive an intensive series of support workshops across the duration of the programme, leading up to the awards in September 2018.

The Converge Challenge 2018 categories are:

• Converge: established idea
• KickStart: for early stage ideas
• Social Enterprise : positive impact on social and environmental issues
• Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

Converge Challenge is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and partner universities and contributors: University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Heriot-Watt University, University of Stirling, University of Strathclyde, University of St Andrews & The Royal Society of Edinburgh. Supporting universities include: Edinburgh Napier University, Robert Gordon University and the University of the West of Scotland.

Converge Challenge deadline closing date is: Thursday 29 March 2018 at 5.00pm GMT.

To enter visit www.convergechallenge.com

LTDF Call for Bids 2018-19

The Learning and Teaching Development Fund (LTDF) supports developments in the practice of learning and teaching that will make significant contributions to the enhancement of learning and teaching across the University and to the delivery of the objectives of the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy. 

‌‌‌‌‌A Call for Bids for 2018-19 is now open. Bids are invited for small (up to £3K) and Large (£3K-20K) projects. All University of Glasgow staff are eligible to bid for funds and LTDF funding may be used to match other funding.

Application procedure:

Large Bids: Expressions of Interest for Large bids should be sent by email to:

LEADS-enquiries@glasgow.ac.uk, with the following Subject line:

LTDF EoI – College of <insert your College>

And also to the relevant College Dean of Learning and Teaching by 24 February 2018.

Full bids should be submitted to Mary Ramsay by 20 April 2018.

Small bids: Should be submitted to the relevant College Dean (Learning & Teaching) by 20 April 2018. Small bids from University Services should be submitted to the Assistant Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching)

Any queries in relation to development of bids can be made to LEADS-enquiries@glasgow.ac.uk, Mary Ramsay or College Deans (Learning & Teaching).

First published: 30 January 2018

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