Life-saving research and financial partnership win education awards

City of Glasgow College (@CofGCollege) was one of the big winners at this year’s Herald Higher Education Awards

The college’s Fast Track to Financial Services course, in partnership with Edinburgh College, took the partnership award, while its STEM and Innovation team won research project of the year for work they carried out on oxygen depletion in enclosed spaces.  

Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Glasgow College, said: 

“Winning these two awards recognises the high standard of education our college offers, and underlines our ongoing commitment to excellence. Both entries highlight the importance of partnership working, and the vital role our college sector plays within industry.  

“Our fast track course and oxygen depletion research are ground-breaking projects, both teams should be very proud and my congratulations go to all concerned.” 

Linus Reichenbach, Project Manager for STEM and Innovation at City of Glasgow College said:  

“We are so delighted to have won this award. The research carried out by Donal Burke and other college staff with the support of key maritime industry organisations, crucially determined the rate of oxygen depletion in confined spaces in ships at sea.  

“This is life-saving research which has formed the basis of an online course we developed in order to raise awareness of the dangers and potentially fatal consequences of entering an enclosed space without taking the proper precautions.    

“Our research, and online course, is helping to ensure that seafarers understand that a situation, which might look safe, may not be.” 

The college’s Fast Track course, which won the Scottish Financial Services Pioneer Award in 2019 and was recently shortlisted for a Tes FE award, is designed to upskill graduates and provide them with opportunities in the sector. 

Chris Colvin, Curriculum Head for Financial Services at City of Glasgow College, said: 

“We are thrilled to have won this award together with Edinburgh College. It is the culmination of a Scotland-wide partnership with industry, Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Financial Enterprise.   

“Our partnership with Edinburgh College adds value to the course, opening it up to participants across Scotland, and putting us in a better position to respond to the post Covid-19 upskilling and reskilling demand.” 

The Herald Higher Education Awards returned following postponement in 2020 due to the pandemic. Now in their sixth year, they recognise outstanding higher education institutions throughout Scotland. With a broad spectrum of categories, the awards touch on all key aspects of higher education and help build future excellence by facilitating the sharing of good practice.