September 24, 2025
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place on Wednesday, 24th September, between The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) and the University of Central Asia (UCA), signed by Prof. Penny Macbeth, Director and Principal of The Glasgow School of Art, and Prof. Christopher Gerry, Rector at the University of Central Asia. Prof. Gerry was welcomed at the School by Prof. Penny Macbeth, Director and Principal of The Glasgow School of Art, Prof. Rachel Dickson, Deputy Director and Vice Principal Academic, Prof. Irene McAra-McWilliam, Director of GSA Highlands & Islands, and Deputy Director and Vice Principal Research & Innovation at the GSA, and Prof. Gordon Hush, Head of the School of Innovation and Technology.
Building on years of successful collaboration, the MoU signing marks a significant step to renew and refine the partnership between the two institutions, leading to expanded participation of UCA in the GSA’s teaching projects, including the School of Innovation and Technology’s annual Winter School (which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary).
The purpose and objectives outlined in the agreement will support: development of a student exchange programme with credit transfer; a joint UCA-GSA research seminar series; a research fellowship programme proposed to support collaboration between UCA and the GSA; development of a research fellowship framework for a GSA-UCA collaboration based upon the GSA Master of Research (MRes) model, and research on potential new project partnerships as part of the GSA’s recently launched initiative Rural Lab based at the GSA’s Highlands & Islands campus at the Altyre Estate in Moray.
The latest in a series of collaborative partnerships builds on the GSA’s drive to establish dialogue and promote exchange through international academic partnerships, and follows important formal relationships forged recently between the GSA and Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), Hochschule der Medien (The Stuttgart Media University), and the University of Rwanda.
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world. Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, fine art, innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually.
About the School of Innovation and Technology (SIT)
The School of Innovation and Technology (SIT) explores future opportunities for innovation by considering alternative ways of living in the present. SIT aims to integrate social and technological innovations in a way that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries within art and science and examine complex questions in fields such as healthcare, education, technology and pressingly within the context of the climate/ecology crisis.
About GSA RURAL LAB
The Glasgow School of Art Rural Lab is a new, interdisciplinary research centre designed to explore the intersections of research, innovation, education and enterprise within rural contexts. Based at the GSA Highlands & Islands campus in Forres, and building on a twenty-year foundation, Rural Lab engages in research that explores sustainable economies, cultural heritage, and place-driven innovation. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships, Rural Lab encourages new ways of thinking about the potential for sustainable growth in rural spaces.
