University of Strathclyde
| University of Strathclyde | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Latin: Universitas de Strathclyde | |
| Motto | The Place of Useful Learning |
| Established |
1796 as Andersonian Institute; 1964 granted University Status by Royal Charteras University of Strathclyde |
| Type | Public |
| Endowment | £ 23.7 million[1] |
| Chancellor | The Lord Smith of Kelvin |
| Principal | Jim McDonald |
| Convenor of the Court | Richard Hunter |
| Admin. staff | 3,200 |
| Students | 19,755[2] |
| Undergraduates | 14,070[2] |
| Postgraduates | 5,685[2] |
| Location |
Glasgow, Scotland, UK 55°51′42.18″N 04°14′30.1194″W / 55.8617167°N 4.241699833°WCoordinates: 55°51′42.18″N 04°14′30.1194″W / 55.8617167°N 4.241699833°W |
| Campus |
Urban More than 500 acres (202+ ha)[3] |
| Colours |
Engineering |
| Affiliations |
ACU EQUIS ECIU IPEM EUA Universities UK Universities Scotland AACSB AMBA |
| Website | www.strath.ac.uk |
 | |
The University of Strathclyde is a Scottish public research university located in Glasgow, Scotland. It is Glasgow's second university by age, being founded in 1796 as the Andersonian Institute, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university. It takes its name from the historic Kingdom of Strathclyde.
The University of Strathclyde is Scotland's third largest university by number of students, with students and staff from over 100 countries.[4] The institution was awarded University of the Year 2012[5] and Entrepreneurial University of the year 2013 by Times Higher Education.
Applications for a place into many of the courses in the university is competitive and successful entrants have on average of 460 UCAS points. This places Strathclyde as the 15th highest ranked among UK higher education institutions.[6]
History
The university was founded in 1796 through the will of John Anderson, professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow who left instructions and the majority of his estate to create a second university in Glasgow which would focus on "Useful Learning" – specialising in practical subjects – "for the good of mankind and the improvement of science, a place of useful learning". The University later named its city centre campus after him.
In 1828, the institution was renamed Anderson's University, partially fulfilling Anderson's vision of two universities in the city of Glasgow. The name was changed in 1887, to reflect the fact that there was no legal authority for the use of the title of 'university'.[7] As a result the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College was formed, becoming the Royal Technical College in 1912, and the Royal College of Science and Technology in 1956 concentrating on science and engineering teaching and research. Undergraduate students could qualify for degrees of the University of Glasgow or the equivalent Associate of the Royal College of Science and Technology (ARCST).
Under Principal Samuel Curran, internationally respected nuclear physicist (and inventor of the scintillation counter), the Royal College gained University Status, receiving its Royal Charter to become The University of Strathclyde in 1964, merging with the Scottish College of Commerce at the same time. Contrary to popular belief, The University of Strathclyde was not created as a result of the Robbins Report – the decision to grant the Royal College university status had been made earlier in the 1960s[8] but delayed as a result of Robbins Report. The University of Strathclyde was the UK's first technological university reflecting its history, teaching and research excellence in technological education. In 1993, the University incorporated Jordanhill College of Education.
The university has developed its reputation and grown from approximately 4,000 full-time students in 1964 to over 20,000 students in 2003, when it celebrated the 100th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the original Royal College building.
Timeline
Due to the massive changes that the University has undergone since its inception, it is essential to have a good knowledge of the changes that the university has undergone since it was founded. The timeline below can help one to trace the roots of the now modern university to its rich ancient heritage.
A brief chronology:[9][10][11]·
- 1796 - Anderson’s Institution founded.
- 1799 - Anderson’s Medical School established.
- 1819 - Chair of Botany established.
- 1823 - The Glasgow Mechanics’ Institution succeeded the Anderson’s Institution to become the first Mechanics’ Institution possessing that name and the first in the world.
- 1825 - Chair of Mathematics established.
- 1830 - Chairs of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy separated.
- 1830 - The first public laboratory for teaching chemistry in Britain opened at the Glasgow Mechanics’ Institution.
- 1840 - Chair of Theory of Medicine established.
- 1843 - Allan Glen’s School founded.
- 1870 - Chair of Technical Chemistry established.
- 1875 - Chair of Applied Mechanics established.
- 1877 - Name changed to Anderson’s College.
- 1877 - Technical College (Weaving Branch) opened.
- 1880 - Mechanics’ Institution reorganised as a Technical College.
- 1881 - Name changed to College of Science and Arts.
- 1886 - Merger of Institutions to form the Technical College.
- 1887 - Chair of Metallurgy established.
- 1889 - Anderson’s College Medical School, Partick, opened.
- 1891 - Chair of Agriculture opened.
The university has undergone numerous name changes since its foundation for various reasons. The various titles that the University had used in the past are as follows:
- Anderson’s Institution - 1798 to 1828
- Anderson’s College Medical School - 1800+
- Anderson’s University - 1828 to 1877
- Technical College Weaving Branch - 1877+
- Anderson’s College - 1877 to 1887
- Mechanics’ Institution and College of Science and Arts - 1823 to 1887
- Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College - 1887 to 1912
- Royal Technical College - 1912 to 1956
- Royal College of Science and Technology - 1956 to 1964
- University of Strathclyde - 1964 to Present
Campus
Since taking over the Jordanhill college in 1993, the University operated two campuses - The John Anderson Campus and the Jordanhill campus until 2012 when the Jordanhill campus was closed and everything was moved to the John Anderson Campus.
The centrepiece building has long been the massive Royal College Building. Started in 1903 and completed in 1912, it was partially opened in 1910 and at the time was the largest educational building in Europe for technical education. Originally built as the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College Building, it now houses Bioscience, Chemistry, and Electronic and Electrical Engineering. The building is currently undergoing major internal renovation following the relocation of the Pharmacology and Bioscience departments to new accommodation in the John Arbuthnott (SIPBS) building, and the installation of a new heating system.
Meanwhile, a new biomedical sciences building was opened in early 2010. It was designed by Shepparrd Robson, and is a purpose-built centre which aims to bring the multi-faceted disciplines of the Institute together under one roof. The building is central to the Institute’s aims of delivering speedier, more efficient drug discovery in a pioneering, world-class centre for research and development. Sited on Cathedral Street in Glasgow, the 8,000m2 building is the gateway to the University campus and city centre from the motorway.
The James Weir Building is currently undergoing reconstruction after a serious fire resulted in many rooms being unusable.
The Architecture Building, completed in 1967, is considered to be the best post-war building on campus. It was designed by Frank Fielden and Associates, Frank Fielden being the Professor of Architecture in the Architecture School at the time. The Architects Journal Magazine at the time highly praised this building for its restraint in the choice of materials and its organisational of the programme within the constraints of a difficult site. In 2012, Historic Scotland granted Listed Building Status (grade B) to it, along with the Wolfson Building designed by Morris and Steedman Architects. 2012 also saw the 20th Century Society select the Architecture Building as their 'Building of the Month' for September due to its cultural significance and enduring appeal.[12]
Library and Archives
The Andersonian Library is the principal library of the University of Strathclyde. Established in 1796, it is one of the largest of its type in Scotland. It is situated in the Curran building. Situated over 5 floors at present, the Andersonian Library has more than 2,000 reader places, 450 computer places and extensive wi-fi zones for laptop use. It has around one million print volumes as well as access to over 540,000 electronic books, 239 databases and over 38,000 e-journals that can be used 24/7 from any suitably enabled computer.[13]
The archives are divided into 3 as follows.[14]
University Archives
The official records of the University of Strathclyde from 1796 to the present day. Includes the records of the University’s predecessor institutions as well as the papers of many former staff and students and associated organisations. The University archives are an outstanding resource for the study of education, science and society in Scotland.
Deposited Archives
A diverse range of archives which have been acquired by gift or deposit to support the University’s teaching and research. Our main strengths are education, town planning, investigative journalism, shipping, the iron and coal industries, environmental health and art. The archive collections are a unique source for all kinds of historical research.
Special Collections
Rare or significant printed material and books, including the Anderson Collection (the personal library of John Anderson, 1726-1796, natural philosopher), plus over 30 other collections spanning the 16th to the 21st centuries.
Technology and Innovation Centre
The Technology and Innovation Centre at Strathclyde (TIC) is a centre for technological research currently under construction in Glasgow, Scotland. It forms part of the University of Strathclyde's campus in the heart of the city. The construction of this centre began in March 2012 and is expected to be completed in mid 2014.
This project secured a £6.7 million funding from the European Regional Development Fund and another £26 million from the Scottish Government. The University itself is supplying the other £57 million needed to reach its £89 million budget needed to create the centre.[15][16]
The work started on the triangular, nine-storey, steel-framed building in March 2012 with a completion date set in 2014. The facility will be built to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ‘A’ rating standards – the industry’s highest energy-efficiency standard. This 25,000m2 space can accommodate around 1200 workers from numerous fields, including engineering, researching and project management from the university and outside industry. It will include open plan space for offices, three lecture theatres and areas for specialist laboratory equipment.
In addition to the Technology and Innovation Centre, a 5000m2 Industry Engagement Building, which will be located adjacent to the TIC building, will accommodate around and extra 500 occupants to the already huge work force at the TIC. This additional building has now secured planning permission. The research that will be carried out in the Technology and Innovation Centre, by around 850 researchers from the University, is in the fields of: Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing, Advanced Science and Technology, Bioanotechnology, Business Engagement, Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation (CMAC), Energy, Health Technologies at Strathclyde, Human and Social Aspects of Technology, Photonics and Sensors, and Asset Management.[17] The TIC also plays a major role in Scotland’s International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ).
Faculties and departments
The university currently consists of four main faculties categorised based on subjects and academic fields that they deal with and each faculty is sub divided into several departments which deal with specific academic and research areas. They are:
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The university delivers teaching to over 25,000 full-time and part-time students: 15,000 undergraduates and 10,000 postgraduates.[citation needed] Another 34,000 people take part in continuing education and professional development programmes. The university's main campus, John Anderson Campus, is located in the centre of Glasgow, near George Square. Till 2012, the University operated an education campus in the suburb of Jordanhill, at the site of the previous Jordanhill Teacher Training College which it disposed off and relocated to a new building in the John Anderson Campus. In January 2012, The University’s Court also endorsed the recommendation of the Estates Steering Group that Strathclyde moves to a single campus by disposing of the entire Jordanhill site and constructing a new building for the Faculty of Education on the John Anderson campus.[18]
Strathclyde is the only Scottish university that offers the IET Power Academy engineering scholarships to its engineering students.[19]
Academic profile
Rankings and reputation
| QS[20] (2013/14, national) | 35 | |
|---|---|---|
| QS[20] (2013/14, world) | 254 | |
| THE[21] (2013/14, world) | 351-400 | |
| Complete[22] (2014, national) |
41 | |
| The Guardian[23] (2014, national) |
26 | |
| Times/Sunday Times[24] (2014, national) |
42 | |
The university ranks among the top 50 of the UK RAE league table published by the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES),[25] Although it did rank much higher in a number of areas in the same newspaper article – 8th in the UK for Pharmacy, 12th for Business and management studies, 17th for Chemistry, 13th for Law, 21st for Electrical and Electronic Engineering and 12th for Allied health professions and studies.
Strathclyde Business School has been rated top in Scotland by a wide margin, and rated in the top 10 UK-wide, with 65% of staff classed as world class (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
Research
In 2011 the University’s Advanced Forming Research Centre was announced as a leading partner in the first UK-wide Technology Strategy Board Catapult Centre. The Government also announced that the University is to lead the UK-wide EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation.
The University has become the base for the first Fraunhofer Centre to be established in the UK. Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest organisation for contract research, is creating the new Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics in collaboration with Strathclyde, for research in sectors including healthcare, security, energy and transport.
Strathclyde was chosen in 2012 as the exclusive European partner university for South Korea’s global research and commercialisation programme – the Global Industry-Academia Cooperation Programme, funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge and Economics.
In 2012 the University became a key partner in its second UK Catapult Centre. Plans for the Catapult Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy were announced at Strathclyde by Business Secretary Vince Cable. The University has also become a partner in the Industrial Doctorate Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy, which is one of 11 doctoral centres at Strathclyde.
Engineers at the University are leading the €4 million, Europe-wide Stardust project, a research-based training network investigating the removal of space debris and the deflection of asteroids.
Strathclyde has become part of the new ESRC Enterprise Research Centre, a £2.9 million venture generating world-class research to help stimulate growth for small and medium sized enterprises.[4]
The University has centres in pharmacy, drug delivery and development, micro and ultrasonic engineering, biophotonics and photonics, biomedical engineering, medical devices, new therapies,prosthetics and orthotics, public health history, law, crime and justice and social work. The University is involved in 11 partnerships with other universities through the Scottish Funding Councils’ Research Pooling Programme, covering areas such as engineering, life sciences, energy, marine science and technology, physics, chemistry, computer sciences and economics.
Several Strathclyde staff have been elected to Fellowships in the Royal Societies of Edinburgh and London, among the UK’s most prestigious honours.[26]
People
Students
There are around 15,000 undergraduate students out of which almost 4,000 are mature students who start their studies after gaining experience in the workplace, and almost 16% are overseas students from more than 100 countries around the world. Around 7,000 students are undertaking postgraduate studies at Strathclyde. There are approximately 45,000 students studying part-time in the university each year, either in the evenings and weekends or through distance learning.[27] The university also has an alumni population of over 100,000 and growing.
Notable academics and alumni
- Sir Samuel Curran - Inventor of the Scintillation counter[28]
- John Logie Baird - Invented the world's first working television[29]
- Thomas Graham - Formulated the law of diffusion of gases[29]
- David Livingstone - Explorer and missionary
- Conor McBride - Computer scientist
- James Young - Successfully separated paraffin wax, naphtha, lamp oil and lubricating oil from oil[29]
- James Blyth - Responsible for one of the earliest applications of wind power[29]
- Henry Faulds - Originator of fingerprint identification[29]
- James Croll - Early investigator of climate change[29]
- Robert Thom - Inventor of water filtration systems[29]
- Andrew Ure - His research is believed to be the inspiration behind Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein.[29]
- Jim McColl - Scotland's richest man[4]
- Sir Thomas Hunter - Entrepreneur and Philanthropist[4]
- Ian McAllister - Irish-Australian public opinion political scientist
- Hugh Hendry - Hedge fund manager
See also
References
- ↑ "Report & Financial Statements 2012" (PDF). University of Strathclyde. 22 November 2012. p. 27. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Table 1 – All students by HE institution, level of study, mode of study and domicile 2011/12". Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ . Retrieved 2 September 2013, Facts & Figures - University of Strathclyde
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 University of Strathclyde. Complete University Guide. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ Previous winners :: THE Awards 2013. The-awards.co.uk. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ "Entry Standards" – CUG University League Table 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2013, Complete University Guide
- ↑ "University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Physics Department - Historical Laboratory Photos". Phys.strath.ac.uk. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ↑ "Samuel Curran". Oxforddnb.com. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ↑ "Anderson's College, Glasgow - University of Strathclyde Archives". Strathclyde.ica-atom.org. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ "The 'Andersonian' - The First Technical College.". Technical Education Matters. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ "A History of the World - Object : Anderson's University, Glasgow". BBC. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ Strathclyde University School of Architecture — The Twentieth Century Society. C20society.org.uk. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ "Using the Library - University of Strathclyde". Retrieved 2014-01-21.
- ↑ "Archives and Special Collections - University of Strathclyde". Retrieved 2014-01-21.
- ↑ "Strathclyde University technology hub secures £89m in European funding". "BBC".
- ↑ "Green Light for £89m Technology and Innovation Centre". "Glasgow City Council".
- ↑ "Research Themes". "University of Strathclyde".
- ↑ http://www.strath.ac.uk/media/other/jordanhillreview/media_40877_en.pdf
- ↑ "IET Power Academy- IET Conferences". Theiet.org. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "QS World University Rankings 2013/14". Quacquarelli Symonds. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ↑ "THE Top 400 Universities 2013-14". THE. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ↑ "University League Table 2014". The Complete University Guide. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ↑ "University guide 2014: University league table". The Guardian. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
- ↑ "The Times and Sunday Times University League Tables 2014". Times Newspapers. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- ↑ http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Journals/THE/THE/18_December_2008/attachments/RAE_2008_THE_RESULTS.pdf
- ↑ European Consortium of Innovative Universities. Eciu.web.ua.pt. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ A diverse Student Population. Strath.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2013-12-29.
- ↑ Biography ~ Sir Samuel Curran. Purbeckradar.org.uk. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 29.7 It All Started Here - University of Strathclyde. Strath.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Strathclyde. |
- University of Strathclyde website
- Glasgow Digital Library at the University of Strathclyde
- Strathclyde Students' Union website
- EDWARD VII LAYS FOUNDATION STONE (1903) (archive film of King Edward VII laying the foundation stone for the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College (University of Strathclyde) – from the National Library of Scotland: SCOTTISH SCREEN ARCHIVE)
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