Representatives from the University were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, to the Clarice Pears Building and the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) today, Thursday 12 September 2024.

Ian Murray MP visits the Clarice Pears building to meet staff and collaborators

Mr Murray was greeted by Uzma Khan, Vice Principal for Economic Development and Innovation and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, and Professor Sara MacDonald, Director of Innovation, Engagement and Enterprise, School of Health & Wellbeing, before meeting with researchers and community partners.

The occasion – the first time the Secretary of State has visited the University in his new role – was a celebration of the close community relationships and collaborative working that underpins research taking place in the School of Health & Wellbeing, as well as in the wider University.

Local groups, alongside staff from the University’s Byres Community Hub, met with Mr Murray to talk about the importance of community voices within research spaces, and the benefits of collaboration. Representatives from Spirit of Springburn, Annex Communities and Communiversity were all in attendance to share information on their own organisations, as well as discussing their experiences using the public space available within the Clarice Pears building.

Later in the day, the Secretary of State joined a tour of the ARC to meet with Professor Miles Padgett and his team to hear more about the real-world applications of quantum technology, including in healthcare, in particular advanced endoscopy techniques.

Mr Murray then also met with Professor Andrew Tobin, Director of the ARC, and his team to learn about their world-leading drug discovery research for Alzheimer’s, as well as the University of Glasgow spinout company Keltic Pharma which is helping to accelerate the team’s research into real-world medical solutions.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “I was very pleased to visit the University of Glasgow’s Advanced Research Centre. The University’s incredible ability to translate research in health and critical technology into practical outcomes will make a real difference to people’s health and lives, as well as to the UK's economy. I was also impressed by the really positive way the Byres Community Hub is engaging the local community.

“We are blessed to have world class universities in Scotland that punch well above their weight internationally and the Scotland office will always support and champion the work they do.”

Uzma Khan, Vice Principal for Economic Development and Innovation and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Secretary of State onto our campus to showcase our University’s commitment to finding solutions to societal issues through discovery science and high-impact innovation. 

“Our approach is founded on our values and a strong sense of civic mission. Through our research, learning and teaching and our civic engagement programme, we aim to work closely with our local and global communities to improve lives for the better.”

Susan Grant, Byres Community Hub Lead, said: “Since opening last March, the Hub has been making connections between the community organisations, The School of Health and Wellbeing and the wider University to bring seldom-heard voices into our research and teaching. 

“I was pleased that some of our Hub partners had the chance to share with the Secretary of State some of the valuable work they are involved in, supporting the health and wellbeing of communities in Glasgow.”

Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk

 

First published: 13 September 2024

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