New £1bn masterplan to transform University of Glasgow

One of Scotland’s oldest universities is set to be transformed following the announcement of a £1 billion masterplan which will see the creation of a new campus at the University of Glasgow, on the site of the former Western Infirmary.

Speaking about what will be the largest educational project ever in Scotland, University of Glasgow principal Professor Anton Muscatelli said that the investment would lead to the creation of one of the top universities in the world as well as a new civic square and a museum quarter to rival London.

The ten-year expansion will transform the university and secure its future, said Muscatelli. “Having the chance to purchase land just next door to us represents a huge opportunity for the university and for the city of Glasgow. It allows us to take a fresh look at the campus and make it fit for purpose for the next 100 or 200 years.”

Traditional lecture halls are set to be replaced with interactive technological hubs and the facility will include a state of the art learning and teaching centre and a research and innovation base. With the creation of more shallow teaching spaces with no fixed seating, lecturers will be able to walk among the students.

Ann Allen, University of Glasgow director of estates and buildings, said: “We are developing new styles of teaching and learning so we are ahead of the game. We also looking to get natural light in there to create a different atmosphere and students will also be able to pose questions and give direct feedback via digital screens.”

Professor Muscatelli said: “Students all now have portable smartphone technology and we will incorporate that into the new spaces. That will allow them to interact with the lecturer. Teaching is going to evolve and much of what we offer here will be blended, between online and face-to-face elements, over the next five to ten years.”

Details of the funding package for the £1bn project, which will create more than 2,500 jobs, will be announced in the coming weeks. University officials say that the cost of the work will be met by good financial management, selling off unused buildings and a fundraising campaign.