Student Anna to promote the protection of wildlife in Peru

Anna Barclay, a BSc Podiatry student in the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), is making the journey with the support of a Magnusson Award.

As an animal lover, Anna has always dreamed of working with wildlife in their natural habitat.

Embarking upon an expedition to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, she will work with the charity Globalteer to reintroduce animals such as howler monkeys, tortoises and sloths back to the wild.

As well as caring for animals, Anna is looking forward to exploring Peru and having the chance to learn about the culture and language, while expanding her own horizons.

“I have a real compassion for animals and a true love for nature, so being able to combine these in a country I have always wanted to travel to is genuinely a dream come true,” said Anna.

Magnusson Awards are presented annually in honour of the University’s late Chancellor, the well-known journalist and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson KBE, to recognise his passion for learning and knowledge, his contribution to Scottish education and, in particular, his dedication to GCU.

Journalist and broadcaster Dr Sally Magnusson, Honorary President of the Magnusson Fellowship and an Honorary Graduate of GCU, presented Anna with the award at a ceremony held in the University on Monday, May 18.

Anna is one of eight students who were presented with a Magnusson Award, which will support them to volunteer with projects across the globe, bringing their expertise and knowledge to parts of the world where it will make a real and lasting difference.

They are involved in projects including volunteering in a centre for the rehabilitation of malnourished children in Ghana, and addressing environmental problems at both global and regional levels during a six-month internship with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Magnusson Awards facilitate exploration, study, learning and personal growth for students at the Scottish university.

Previous winners have realised their dreams by being part of the press team at the Olympic Games, travelling to Zambia to provide vision screening training, and delivering a cookery project for families in Glasgow.