One of PASCAL's major pieces of work has been the international study of universities' regional engagement PURE. The study examined policies and practice in 17 cities and regions around the world, with a view to reporting both to universities and regional stakeholders to help foster collaboration and economic and social development. The study was largely complete by 2011.

If you are planning to come to Glasgow for the PASCAL Conference from 3-5 June, you may also want to consider another event that is happening subsequently.

Professor Catherine A. Odora Hoppers, PASCAL Co-director, Africa, who is the incumbent of the South African Research Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Development Education set up by the Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation, and hosted at the University of South Africa to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to stimulate strategic research across the knowledge spectrum was given two awards in August 2015. 

The cities of Erbil and Duhok in Iraqi Kurdistan are planning to each send delegations to the PASCAL 2016 Conference in Glasgow. Both are extremely committed to the development of learning cities in their country.

In preparation for coming to Glasgow, the cities are organising a series of planning events including a seminar on Thursday 4 February at the Cultural Centre of the University of Duhok, details of which will be posted soon.

We have made arrangements for the reservation of a limited number of rooms for delegates with a number of hotels close to the university campus within various price ranges for the nights of 2, 3 and 4 June 2016 as follows: