Made At Uni: Caledonian Club listed in nation's best breakthroughs

The Caledonian Club’s success in widening access to education is being included in the #MadeAtUni campaign to celebrate the transformational impact of UK universities.

The University’s community outreach initiative, which has engaged thousands of children, young people, parents and carers since it was launched in 2008, was identified among the 100 most significant breakthroughs to come from UK universities.

The UK’s Best Breakthroughs List: 100+ Ways Universities Have Improved Everyday Life has been compiled by Universities UK, the umbrella group for UK universities, in collaboration with Universities Scotland.  It is part of the #MadeAtUni campaign to show that universities do much more than just teach students and to bring to life the difference they make to everyone’s lives.

The University’s Head of Outreach, Eleanor Wilson, said: “I’m delighted the Caledonian Club has been selected to join such prestigious company in the Breakthroughs list. Over the last ten years, the Club has connected with almost 18,000 young people and 4,000 adults and we know we are changing lives in Glasgow and London. Creating community impact through the power of education is what the #MadeAtUni campaign is all about.”

The campaign follows independent research undertaken by Britain Thinks earlier this year on behalf of Universities UK, which found that the 73% of people in Scotland think that UK universities are among the best in the world.

The research found that the public is proud of UK universities but primarily see their role as delivering teaching for undergraduates. When respondents were made aware of universities’ important research work and wider contributions to society, their level of appreciation increased significantly.

Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are transformative places. Not just for those who study or work at them but the impact they have on the wider world. The technology we use every day, the medicines that save lives, the teachers who inspire – all come from Scottish and UK universities and the important work being done by academics up and down the country.

“The UK’s Best Breakthroughs list is a testament to the difference that universities make to people’s lives and we want everyone to join us in celebrating the work they do.”

You can find out more about the UK’s Best Breakthroughs and the MadeAtUni campaign here www.madeatuni.org.uk. Please like and share the campaign on the University’s social media channels as well as Twitter @MadeAtUni and Facebook.