Record number of students become Clinton scholars

Glasgow Caledonian has had its largest-ever cohort of students accepted onto a prestigious leadership programme backed by the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U).

Eight students will join the Class of 2023 on the CGI U programme, which helps undergraduate and postgraduate students turn social enterprise ideas into practical action.

Students are encouraged to create and implement Commitments to Action across five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation and Public Health.

A Commitment to Action is a novel, specific, and measurable student initiative that addresses a pressing local or global social problem.

Dr Christopher Baird, lecturer in Management at Glasgow School for Business and Society, who leads student engagement with the CGI U initiative alongside Professor Michael Roy, said: “This is a remarkable achievement for our students.

"It's a reflection of the care and quality of our students’ applications and the deepening commitment they feel toward serving the Common Good."

The students will receive access to a year-long personalised mentorship programme alongside an online Commitment to Action curriculum focused on equipping them with the skills and connections to grow their initiatives.

Student Adenike Olukoya, one of the 2023 scholars, said: “I am delighted that I have been selected to be a part of the esteemed CGI U community.

"I’m excited about the prospect of being mentored by some of the distinguished alumni of CGI U and learning about the nuances of fundraising, team building, and effective monitoring and evaluation strategies for establishing a new social enterprise.”

The CGI U 2023 scholars:

• Gino Obaseki - MSc Social Innovation: To build social and cultural capital for marginalised women in Nigeria by connecting them with women mentors
• Adenike Olukoya - MSc Public Health: To reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in rural Nigeria through the provision of clean birth kits and midwifery training
• Jodie McFadyen - BA International Marketing: To improve the mental health of refugees in Glasgow by offering walking groups and tours
• Travis Holden - BA Accountancy and Lewis Connor - BA Business Management: To reduce the stigmatisation of homelessness in Scotland through a children's storybook
• Noemi Burrachi and Antonio Pan - BA International Tourism and Events Management: To raise awareness and funds for AIRC, an Italian cancer research organisation, through the creation of thrift stores in Catania
• Weronika Kosinski - BA International Marketing: To promote sustainable fashion through garment personalisation and affordable tailoring