At the 2022 European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Awards in Lyon, City of Glasgow College has been awarded a 7-Diamond world ranking. The Diamond ranking is the highest level of recognition and the college has been ranked an impressive third in the world in EFQM’s overall global benchmarking.
City of Glasgow College is the first organisation in Scotland to be awarded 7-Diamond status, achieving the best ever score for any educational institution in EFQM’s illustrious 33-year history from the team of international assessors. In addition, the college received an Outstanding Achievement Award for Driving Innovation.
Commenting on City of Glasgow College attaining these prestigious awards, Principal and CEO, Dr Paul Little, said:
“This is an excellent endorsement of City of Glasgow College as a world-class institution and is testament to the dedication and capability of our colleagues across our lecturing and support staff teams. This 7-Diamond rating and Outstanding Achievement Award for Driving Innovation reaffirms that, even during challenging financial times for public sector organisations, the College is not only delivering and thriving on the global stage but performing at the highest level there.
“It is the best rating for any educational institution in EFQM’s 30-year history, and I’m very proud of my colleagues whose devotion to ‘Let Learning Flourish’ enables our students to study in such an excellent environment and leave us with the necessary qualifications and work-ready skills to succeed in the workforce.”
Congratulating the college on the award, EFQM Chief Executive Officer, Russell Longmuir commented:
“The EFQM Assessment team and jury were greatly impressed by the leadership team in City of Glasgow College, and their relentless focus on innovating and adapting to change while keeping their attention firmly on the needs and welfare of the student body.”
EFQM is an internationally recognised quality standard, and in June this year, seven international assessors visited the College to review progress. The global assessors from EFQM took part in over 30 meetings with more than 200 staff from across the College, including lecturers, student association, concierge and reception staff and a host of managers from across learning and teaching and support services.
Commenting, Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
“This is a fantastic and well-deserved honour for the City of Glasgow College and its staff. The high-quality of courses and training provided by the College, and the calibre of graduates, have been crucial in Glasgow delivering on its aspirations and potential, and in meeting our present and future challenges. It plays a vital role not just in Glasgow’s but in Scotland’s successes.
“But it also tells us what we in Glasgow have long known – that the City of Glasgow College is critical to the thriving international reputation we enjoy as a centre of learning and knowledge, of innovation and talent. People come the world over to Glasgow to study, to live and contribute to this city, adding to the city’s vibrancy and vitality, to its skills and knowledge base. And they do so because of the recognition and regard for world-leading institutions like the City of Glasgow College.”
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, added:
“Congratulations to all our colleagues at the City of Glasgow College on their outstanding success within the 2022 EFQM Global Awards. The high-ranking award of 7 diamonds achieved within the assessment is a testament to the rigor and dedication that the whole college possesses, providing a high-quality and innovative learning environment that students thrive within.
“For more than fifty years, the City of Glasgow College has played an integral role in educating the next generation of Glasgow’s workforce, providing accessible and diverse opportunities for students to enhance their skillset across a broad range of subjects and industries. This mission has never been more important, as we look toward what will be a skills-led recovery of Glasgow’s economy.”
EFQM has seven levels of recognition and supports wider quality assurance and compliance, establishing processes and practice which underpin effective delivery.
EFQM assessors informed the College that City of Glasgow College had scored a total of 721 points, establishing the College as the first 7-diamond rated College in Scotland.