Jamie Hepburn MSP visits GCU

Jamie Hepburn MSP, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, paid a visit to our Glasgow campus today, October 6.

He was welcomed by our Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, before taking part in a virtual meeting with our Chair of Court Rob Woodward. 

During the visit, Mr Hepburn spent some time with Professor Tahseen Jafry, Director of our Centre for Climate Justice, which organised the World Forum on Climate Justice at GCU last month. The three-day conference took place ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit which will see world leaders arrive in Glasgow to hopefully agree plans to tackle the climate emergency (Oct 31-Nov 12).

The Minister also met our Students’ Association Full-time Officers Adil Rahoo, Tabitha Nyariki, and Priscilla Opeyemi Otuagoma.

Speaking after his visit, Mr Hepburn said: “I was pleased to meet with staff and student representatives to see first-hand the range of impressive work being undertaken at Glasgow Caledonian University. I look forward to working with the University in supporting its commitment to the Common Good, as Scotland emerges from the pandemic and secures a strong recovery.”

Professor Gillies said: “We are delighted that the Minister joined us today to learn more about the huge range of work being undertaken at the University, from widening access and supporting business, to tackling the climate emergency, contributing to a successful COP26 summit, as well as our wider work in health promotion and disease prevention and our extensive civic activities for the Common Good."

Mr Hepburn was appointed Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training in May 2021. This is his first visit to GCU in this role.