GLASGOW Caledonian University’s (GCU) collaboration with Turner & Townsend has been awarded the Outstanding Business Engagement in Universities prize at the Herald Higher Education Awards.
The award celebrates Turner & Townsend’s generous support for the learning institute’s 150th Anniversary Scholarship Campaign, which was launched in response to a significant rise in scholarship applications from care‑experienced and estranged students.
GCU principal and vice-chancellor, professor Mairi Watson, said, “We are deeply proud to receive this award, which reflects the power of genuine partnership. Turner & Townsend, like us, understand that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Their commitment to a diverse, highly skilled workforce, and their leadership as the first corporate partner in our campaign, means together we are opening doors for the next generation who will shape Scotland’s economy, infrastructure and communities.”
Peter McGettrick, Turner & Townsend’s UK operations lead, added, “The 150th Anniversary Campaign is about investing in our future leaders who will end up transforming industry and society. This award recognises our shared commitment to creating opportunities that transform lives, as this campaign does exactly that.”
The Herald said the ‘radical scholarship model is clear evidence of how educational organisations are actively working to reach new audiences’.
Alumni and Turner & Townsend’s leaders, Dr Murray Rowden, global head of infrastructure, and Peter have championed the campaign alongside the university’s founding donor, Sir Alex Ferguson CBE. GCU said their leadership and advocacy were ‘instrumental’ in designing the scholarship and mobilising wider support.
Turner & Townsend was the campaign’s first corporate partner, investing £82,500 to fund 10 multi‑year scholarships for students in GCU’s school of science and engineering and Glasgow school for business and society.
Turner & Townsend’s support also extends beyond funding, offering mentoring, employability workshops and access to professional networks. Beneficiaries of the scholarships are already reporting increased confidence, reduced financial stress, and a sense of belonging.
The university’s very first Anniversary Scholar described the support as ‘life‑changing’ and ‘like having a parental figure, that’s willing you to succeed’.
