The University of Glasgow’s efforts to support the XX Commonwealth Games were rewarded at an awards ceremony last night.

University projects picked up three gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the Game Changer Awards, presented by comedian and broadcaster Fred Macaulay during a ceremony at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket.

The awards were organised by Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland to recognise the commitment of Scotland’s colleges and universities to help deliver a lasting legacy from the XX Commonwealth Games.

There were more than 110 entries from staff and students from colleges and universities across Scotland, with a total of 21 institutions producing winning entries.

University of Glasgow projects were nominated for a total of seven awards across four categories at the event. The University’s award winners were:

BRONZE:

• 33Fifty – a joint venture with the University of Edinburgh to bring together young people aged 18-25 throughout the Commonwealth to develop leadership: the group will tackle the challenge of making progress towards low-carbon economies before presenting their reports to Commonwealth ministers who will be gathered for the Commonwealth Games.
• The Security Legacy – researchers from the Universities of Glasgow, Stirling and Dundee have been funded by the European Commission to study the security planning processes for Glasgow 2014.

SILVER:

• Commonwealth Music in the University – a public concert series is the central focus of this initiative to promote music-making in all areas of the university community.
• Gym Buddies - Launched by Glasgow University Sports Association in partnership with Glasgow University Sport and Recreation Service, the Gym Buddies programme encourages and supports people who may not be comfortable taking part in physical activity alone, whether for psychological or physical reasons.

GOLD:

• Go East -  a collaborative five-year research project which aims to aims to assess the impacts of the Commonwealth Games and associated regeneration activities upon communities in the east of Glasgow.
• MyCity  - a mobile app to promote physical activity and engagement with Glasgow through the Games, led by academics in the Institute of Health and Wellbeing and the School of Computing Science.
• On Track for Success – a project in conjunction with the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling in which cycling clubs are using the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome to introduce students to the world of cycling.

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “We were very proud to have been received seven Game Changer Awards for our varied selection of Glasgow 2014-related projects, more than any other single institution.

“The XX Commonwealth Games will be a tremendously exciting time for the city and they will leave a valuable legacy for the people of Scotland. We’re committed to supporting the values of Glasgow 2014 before, during and after the Games, and we’re delighted that the efforts and talents of our staff and students have already had the opportunity to contribute to this agenda through the Game Changer Awards.”

Winners were joined at the ceremony and dinner by a number of VIP guests including the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell, Glasgow 2014’s Chief Executive David Grevemberg, Chair of the Scottish Funding Council, Dr Alice Brown, former first minister Rt Hon Henry McLeish and the official Glasgow 2014 mascot, Clyde.

Winners were determined by panels of expert judges including organisations such as the Scottish Funding Council, Research Councils UK, sportscotland, British Council Scotland, Scottish Development International Scottish Student Sport and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Getting buy-in from these organisations, all of which will have important roles to play in delivering a lasting legacy from the Games, was a key objective for the Game Changer Awards organisers.

More detail on the University’s engagement in Glasgow 2014 is available on the Commonwealth Games webpage at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/commonwealthgames/events/

Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland will shortly publish a ‘Legacy Brochure’ detailing the winners to share with government, MSPs, Glasgow 2014 and other key supporters and will be made available online at www.gamechangerawards.org.

 

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For more information contact Ross Barker in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email ross.barker@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 4 April 2014