ONE of Scotland's top universities has joined a scheme dedicated to helping disadvantaged young people make the most of their lives.
Strathclyde University has been named as a 'pioneering partner of the MCR Pathways programme, which helps provides mentors to pupils who have experience of the care system.
The partnership means that university staff will be encouraged to become mentors and offer their experience to guide a young person through close collaboration and one-to-one meetings.
The MCR pathways project seeks to widen opportunities for young people who are most likely to leave school early by showing them how to access further education or job opportunities.
Strathclyde University has already invested in the project by running summer schools, day visits, subject tasters and student tutoring support, while the Business School has taken the step of offering a volunteering course as part of its Management Development Programmes.
Eight and 12-week placements are also now part of the MCR Pathways support for some course work in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty, with many students remaining actively involved through internships and work placements.
MCR Pathways founder Iain MacRitchie said: "To become a Pioneering Partner requires two commitments, both of which I am delighted to say Strathclyde have exceeded and taken to the next level.
"We already have staff members as part of the group of over 100 mentors already working each week in our six schools in the east end of Glasgow.
"We now have a range of day and residential University experiences to offer our pupils, as well as subject tasters, fun events, tutor support, competitions - all supported by skilled and enthusiastic student mentors and staff members.
"As a graduate of the Business School, it was fantastic to see the creativity and talent of the young people in a business competition we ran as well as the relationships being built with the student mentors."
He added: "The programmes themselves have been specially designed and targeted to provide what the young people have asked for and need in building their knowledge, confidence and aspiration.
"The exciting thing is that this is only the beginning and there is so much planned and in the pipeline. We all want to give a powerful personal message to say university is for you and it will be a huge privilege for us to help you get the best out of it."
MCR Pathways, which is supported by The Herald, works in six schools in Glasgow's east end and has matched more than 100 mentors with pupils during the past year.
Dr Veena O'Halloran, director of Student Experience and Enhancement Services at the University of Strathclyde, said: "Strathclyde has a proud history of supporting disadvantaged young people's journeys into higher education and on to fulfilling careers.
"We are pleased to be working with the MCR Pathways team to continue to build the widest and most effective range of initiatives to provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds."
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