Ex-rector: University must

The outgoing rector of Glasgow University has attacked the decision to rename its engineering school after James Watt despite evidence of hi s personal involvement in the slave trade.

Aamer Anwar said the decision taken last year was inexcusable and Glasgow, one of Scotland’s oldest universities, should reconsider. The campaigning lawyer, a former student at the university, who stood down as rector after a threeyear term in April, said: “There is a clear conflict here.

“One would not expect any institution to go ahead and name a school after someone with connections to the slave trade. There is no excuse for it.

“It was a proud moment for Glasgow University when they named a learning hub after James Mccune Smith, a campaigner against slavery who, upon graduation from the university in 1837, became the first African American to receive a medical degree.

“This was supposed to symbolise the university going forward in the 21st

Century. I think it’s highly unacceptable, therefore, to rename the school of engineering after someone who has been exposed as being involved in the slave trade.”

The university said the decision was made in recognition of Watt’s scientific achievements and his links to the slave trade had been acknowledged.

His work developing steam power is credited as a key factor which led to industrialisation, but research by the university’s own academics uncovered his involvement with slavery. A book by Dr Stephen Mullen revealed Watt and his brother were involved in trafficking