In February The Princess Royal visited City of Glasgow College’s Riverside campus to mark 50 years of maritime education and training on the banks of the River Clyde.
Her Royal Highness was given a tour of the campus’ technologically advanced facilities where she met with cadet students and staff from its Faculty of Nautical and STEM. She was also shown a letter written by 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, her great uncle, who officially opened the original Glasgow College of Nautical Studies and was introduced to two former students who met Lord Mountbatten that day in 1969.
- Original invite to the Formal Opening of the college on Saturday 4th October 1969 by Admiral of the Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma.
- Letter written by Admiral of the Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma after his visit to open the college.
Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive City of Glasgow College, said:
“We are absolutely delighted and greatly honoured that Her Royal Highness has visited Riverside to officially launch our 50th celebration year.
“The building design, learning and teaching approaches may have changed to match our tech-savvy and digitally enlightened students, however, what remains the same are the determination, persistence and vision to make dreams a state-of-the-art reality for the 2,000 cadets, officers and engineers from across 135 different nationalities who now study here.
“There are many fond memories of our former nautical college and we are extremely proud of the important history it brings to our new multi award-winning super campus.”
Princess Anne’s tour included experiencing Polar Ice Navigation techniques using the College’s unique 360 degree simulation suite; a demonstration by former electrical engineering student, Dale Colley, who has designed a drone capable of monitoring water quality; and a presentation on life saving research which the College has carried out, in partnership with maritime industry specialists and shipping companies, to determine the rate of oxygen depletion in confined spaces in ships at sea.
The Princess Royal completed her visit by unveiling a unique commemorative stone bas-relief, crafted by students and staff, and bearing the college motto ‘Let Learning Flourish’.
