SPRING 2014 News andand viewsviews forfor the the people people of of Glasgow Glasgow Caledonian Caledonian Universit University y PUTTING NEW HEART INTO THE CAMPUS £30million transformation begins PAGE 04 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION GCU launches TV partnership with STV PAGE 26 96.2% employment rate At GCU, our staff put the future of our students are the heart of all we do. From work placement opportunities and industry led master-classes to strong links with industry and accrediting bodies, our staff strive to ensure our students develop their professional skills and experience. And the proof of this is in the pudding - with 96.2% of our graduates in employment or embarking on further studies 6 months after graduating (DLHE, 2012) - GCU is ahead of Cambridge and Oxford! To find out more, visitwww.gcu.ac.uk Welcome to the spring issue of The Caledonian In this issue, our cover story focuses on Contents the £30million transformation that will 04 Putting new heart into the campus change the face of GCU’s Glasgow The £30million Heart of the Campus redevelopment of GCU’s Glasgow campus campus. University Secretary Jan Hulme gets under way tells us how, over the next two years, work 07 A risky business will be carried out to provide students and The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas takes laughter and opinions outside the staff with the very best in learning, lecture theatre teaching and research facilities. 08 Lights, camera, action We also look at GCU’s partnership with STV launches Glasgow-focused TV channel, offering GCU students career- STV, as the broadcaster prepares to enhancing experiences launch its STV Glasgow channel with the 10 Window on the past help of the University. Students from Philanthropist and GCU Honorary Professor Eva Haller visits Glasgow and Social Sciences, Media, Multimedia GCU London Journalism and Marketing will have the 12 Beneath the surface opportunity to acquire career-enhancing GCU multi-disciplinary team look at what happens when pills leave the body and experience when the channel goes live in end up in fresh water June. 14 News Briefing Eva Haller, GCU graduate and champion curler Anna Sloan bags Winter bronze and Caroline one of the Rush becomes an Honorary Professor SPRING 2014 University’s News andand viewsviews forfor the the people people of of Glasgow Glasgow Caledonian Caledonian Universit University y 17 A real game changer inspirational Games Lecturer Romana Ramzan on how she wants to encourage more women Honorary into the industry Professors, talks to The 18 Figures of speech PUTTING NEW Caledonian HEART INTO THE CAMPUS about her life £30million transformation begins PAGE 04 GCU alumnus Alan Bennie LIGHTS, CAMERA, is the man behind the and work since ACTION GCU launches TV best-selling One Direction escaping Nazi partnership with STV PAGE 26 dolls. He returns to the persecution in University to share the the 1940s. As you will read, her recent trip secrets of his success to Glasgow included a poignant surprise. Another of our well-known supporters 20 A life less ordinary was also recently at GCU to conduct a Former child soldier Tindy Agaba talks about his violent childhood, human rights masterclass, former child soldier Tindy work and being adopted by Emma Thompson Agaba. Now a UN human rights advisor 22 Globalwatch and co-founder of the charity Muryango, GCU is helping to transform lives around the world he talks about his violent childhood, human rights work and being adopted by 24 Memorable music University researchers examine the use of music as a way of reconnecting actress Emma Thompson. dementia patients with their loved ones GCU’s researchers continue their ground-breaking work, with Dr Gianna 26 Shining a light on a dark centenary Professor John Lennon looks at the human fascination with visiting battlefields of Cassidy and Andy Lowndes looking at the Great War how the power of music can help people with dementia, while Dr Ole Pahl 28 Embracing the Commonwealth GCU students and staff celebrate Commonwealth Day and gear up for the investigates the outcomes of Commonwealth Games pharmaceutical waste entering fresh water systems. 31 Choose your own path Director of People Services Alex Killick discusses a one-stop shop for staff career We hope you enjoy these and the other development features we have compiled for this issue of The Caledonian and, of course, we always 32 SimMan’s reality check Two students from the School of Health and Life Sciences put their skills to the welcome your feedback and suggestions test when faced with a real-life emergency for future editorial content. 34 Back Story Ben Shepherd talks history on the airwaves COVER PICTURE: Heart of the Campus. THE CALEDONIAN ublished by: Communications and Public Affairs, Glasgow Caledonian University.Designed and printed by: Print Design EDITORIAL TEAM PServices, Glasgow Caledonian University. Photography by: Peter Devlin, Guy Hinks, Getty, Derek Prescott. © Glasgow Caledonian University 2014. Glasgow Caledonian University Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA Scotland, United Kingdom [email protected] +44 (0)141 331 3000 www.gcu.ac.uk 03 COVER STORY Putting new heart into the campus Linda Robertson checks in on Glasgow’s £30million transformation project he Heart of the Campus countdown first floors of the George Moore and Hamish Saltire Centre,” says Jan Hulme, University Tto construction is on! Wood buildings will be renovated to Secretary and Vice-Principal Governance. June sees the official launch of the improve learning spaces and social areas “GCU already provides an outstanding £30million redevelopment that will and to introduce a new concept for Student university experience for its students. transform the look and feel of the Services. However, we must keep moving forward. University estate. The Hamish Wood building will acquire “We want to provide students now, and The project is an exciting vision for the a striking glass pavilion which will act as in the future, with the very best in learning, future which will enhance the student the key entrance to the University and to teaching and research facilities.” experience and promote modern methods the Glasgow School for Business and It takes a significant amount of behind- of learning and teaching with state-of-the- Society. The building will also be the setting the-scenes work to prepare for a project of art spaces for people to work collaboratively for a new 500-seat flexible lecture theatre. this scale and to ensure the campus is ready and individually. The project will further enhance the for the contractor moving on site. Outdoor space will be revitalised with campus as a hub of learning, cultural At the time of going to print, the tender the introduction of three attractive development, knowledge creation and process is under way with a construction landscaped courtyards and stronger innovation in the heart of the city. company yet to be appointed. The winning connection routes will be created between “The University is creating a brighter bid is due to be announced in May. the George Moore, Saltire Centre and future with the Heart of the Campus project Since the start of the year, the GCU Hamish Wood buildings. and it will build further on the success of Estates team has co-ordinated and carried Over the next two years, the ground and the campus centrepiece, the award-winning out a programme of enabling works 04 Artist’s impression, subject to revision WHAT? The Heart of the Campus is a £30million redevelopment of GCU’s Glasgow campus. including the migration of staff from levels home of the University restaurant and 0 and 1 of the George Moore into the Saltire social/learning space. This will replace the WHERE? and Charles Oakley. refectory currently in the Hamish Wood. Building work focuses on the lower floors Santander Bank is currently being This striking, contemporary space will of the George Moore and Hamish Wood relocated to the ground floor of the CEE feature floor-to-ceiling windows which will buildings. Outdoor space will be also be building (Glasgow School for Business and look out on to landscaped courtyard revitalised with the introduction of three Society Centre for Executive Education) and gardens. courtyard gardens. the learning café will be refreshed. The first floor of the George Moore These moves are essential to the project building will be dedicated to Student as the first phase of development centres Services, which will be substantially WHEN? June 2014 until summer 2016. on the ground and first floors of the George co-located for the first time and will also Moore building. offer an opportunity for social networking. From June until summer 2015 work will “The open-plan, one-stop concept for WHY? result in the removal of the external steps, Student Services will make it easier than To create state-of-the-art teaching, the creation of a street level entrance and a ever for students to access help and advice,” learning and research facilities, inspiring ‘grab and go’ café on the ground floor — the says Matt Lamb, GCU Student President. social spaces, enhanced outdoor areas perfect place for a quick bite or coffee When work is finished on the George and better connection routes to the between classes. Moore the spotlight will fall on the Hamish Saltire Centre. The ground floor will also be the new Wood ground and first floors >>> 05 continued from page 05 “The Heart of the Campus project takes unsettling, we hope students and staff are a pioneering approach to learning, teaching excited about the fantastic new facilities which will be under construction from and research provision,” says project that the Heart of the Campus will bring. summer 2015 to spring 2016. sponsor, Professor Mike Mannion, Vice- “We very much appreciate the efforts of It’s part of a longer term strategy for the Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor Research those who have moved offices to allow work Hamish Wood, which is expected to see the and Academic Provost of Glasgow to start on the George Moore.