Grameen Caledonian Partnership - how a university can help spread and develop a new approach to society's ills

Abstract

A collection of initiatives that illustrate how a university can help spread and develop a new approach to society’s ills. So wrote Nobel peace prize laureate and founder of the Grameen Bank, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in his book Building Social Business in describing his new relationship with Glasgow Caledonian University, known as the Grameen Caledonian Partnership. Why have Professor Yunus, his Grameen organisation and a modern university in Scotland come together? The aim of this paper is to address that question by portraying our collaboration of academia, industry and government as a triple helix, building on the expertise and influence that can be harnessed from each in meeting social goals of reducing poverty and health inequalities. This is done first by providing a brief historical perspective on Glasgow Caledonian University; especially its origins and mission. The recent history associated with a visit to Glasgow by Professor Muhammad Yunus in December 2008, and the initiatives and associated research stemming from that visit, are then outlined, before finishing with brief discussions of the role of government and ongoing innovations stemming from this fruitful partnership.