The University of Glasgow has been announced as the host of Scotland’s new Centre for Teaching Excellence.
The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP, during Holyrood’s Stage One debate on the Education (Scotland) Bill. Ms Gilruth described the Centre as “working closely with researchers and national education organisations”, adding that “it is very fitting that the new Centre will be based in Glasgow, which was announced as the UNESCO Learning City earlier this month.”
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “We are delighted that the University of Glasgow will host Scotland’s new Centre for Teaching Excellence. This is worthy recognition of the extensive work our School of Education has undertaken over many years on issues such as educational improvement and innovation, and approaches to supporting professionals in making decisions that matter for the learning and wellbeing of our young people.
“This also comes at a time when Glasgow has just recently been announced as a UNESCO Learning City in recognition of outstanding achievements in lifelong learning, which gives us the exciting opportunity to showcase our widening participation programmes and civic engagement partnerships as global exemplars of best practice.”
Mary Lappin, Deputy Head of the School of Education, said: “We hope that as host of the Centre for Teaching Excellence, we can further develop our collaboration with teachers and educators, politicians and policy makers to ensure that Scotland’s education system is one that can truly lead the future’s local and global challenges. The School of Education is pleased to be given this opportunity to lead this important innovation for education in Scotland.”
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “I am delighted that the new national Centre for Teaching Excellence will be based at the University of Glasgow. This is especially fitting given the University’s long and rich history of teaching and after Glasgow was announced as UNESCO’s new Learning City earlier this month.
“I want to see more opportunities for Scotland’s teachers to develop their practice, drawing on the best research which is why we are establishing the Centre, working closely with teachers and national education organisations.
“We will now work with the university so that we can take forward the establishment of the centre at pace so we can offer those important opportunities to Scotland’s teachers.”
The University will work with the Scottish Government to set up the new Centre, which is expected to open next year.
