Nobel man now university chancellor

Oct 26 2012

Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus has been installed as the new chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University.

A procession was held at the city centre campus followed by a ceremony in the university's Saltire Centre.

Prof Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work with the Grameen Bank, which he established in his native Bangladesh in the 1980s. It is said to have helped lift millions of people out of poverty through its micro-lending system targeted at the least well-off.

His daughter Monica, an international opera singer based in New York, performed at the installation, accompanied by musicians from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The ceremony was attended by 350 members of staff, students and invited guests, including representatives from other UK and international universities.

Prof Yunus said: "Being installed as chancellor is a very happy occasion for me. As a teacher and then as founder of the Grameen Bank, I have always worked alongside young people. Because of this, I feel I have an easy connection with them.

"As chancellor, I will share my experiences and make them see there's nothing unusual in what I do - and that they can do that too."

Speeches were also given by Education Secretary Mike Russell, GCU principal and vice-chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies and student president Carla Fyfe.

Prof Gillies said: "This has been a historic day for Glasgow Caledonian University. The appointment of Professor Yunus, who is a world thought-leader in social business and a global anti-poverty campaigner, underlines not only our enduring commitment to the common good but our status as a globally-networked institution.

"I believe with Chancellor Yunus as our figurehead we will continue to grow as an institution and deliver real benefits for our students and the communities we work for in Scotland and overseas. I am incredibly excited and honoured to serve as his vice-chancellor."