Magnusson Awards help students embark on projects with impact for the Common Good

From establishing a mobile library supporting schools and communities in Nigeria, to following the pathway to achieve a UEFA coaching licence – these are just two of the life-changing projects to be carried out by students from Glasgow Caledonian University in the name of the University’s late Chancellor, the well-known journalist and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson KBE.

A total of six students were presented at the Magnus Magnusson Awards on Wednesday, May 24. The Awards will enable recipients to undertake ambitious projects, using their expertise and knowledge where it will make a real and lasting difference.

The Magnusson Awards are made possible thanks to the work of the GCU Foundation, which raises funds to help transform lives through education. To date, the Magnusson Awards have supported over 130 students with projects spanning 38 countries, thanks to £550,000 in philanthropic funding.

Students, their families and friends, donors and staff came to together at the event hosted by Colin Stone, broadcast journalist and presenter, one of our inspiring former Magnusson Award winners.

Also in attendance was Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent and Dr Sally Magnusson, daughter of the late Chancellor and Honorary President of the Magnusson Fellowship at Glasgow Caledonian.

Dr Sally Magnusson said: “It has been a great pleasure for me to be part of these Awards over the past 16 years. The Glasgow Caledonian students always inspire me with their dreams, ambitions and talents year after year. Thank you to the Magnusson Fund donors who give so generously to help these students pursue their goals and ambitions.”

This year’s awards were presented to:

Erica Charles, Mike Smith Magnusson Award: who will volunteer her teaching and project management skills to a charity in Kenya which provides restorative care and educational support to vulnerable people.

Garda Rosemary, Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award: who will challenge menstruation stigma in rural Kenya, by improving girls' access to education and opportunities through distributing menstrual products, education programmes, messaging and mentorship.

Rachel Mair, Sir Alex Ferguson Magnusson Award: who intends to achieve her UEFA B Coaching Licence, contributing to the rise of women’s football in Scotland.

Renesmee Vieira, Santander Universities UK Magnusson Award: who will use her Award to undertake foreign travel to Thailand, to volunteer and further her experiences and ambitions as a tourism student.

Gino Obaseki, Nicol Family Magnusson Award: whose Award will help him to empower underprivileged and disadvantaged girls and women in Nigeria through sharing economically viable skills, start-up equipment and resources.

Grace Iyoha, Glasgow Caledonian Magnusson Award: who intends to set up a mobile library supporting schools and communities that have poor access to library services in Abuja, Nigeria.