WELCOME TO THE JUNE ALUMNI E-BULLETIN This month we give you the opportunity to win tickets to the sold out, David Attenborough event and give you notice of several forthcoming events for alumni. We hope you will enjoy reading the e-bulletin and if you have any stories you would like to appear in a future bulletin please email alumni@abdn.ac.uk.
EVER CONSIDERED TEACHING? If you are a student in your final year, or someone thinking about a change in career or getting back to work after a break, why not consider a rewarding career in teaching? The University of Aberdeen would still like to hear from prospective Secondary teachers to start in September 2008. Places are still available on the PGDE programme in several key subject areas including Mathematics, English and Technological Studies. For more information please call 01224 272090 or visit www.abdn.ac.uk/education. Q&A WITH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, STEPHEN FERNIE - Why is the University building this new Library?
Our current Queen Mother Library was completed in the 1970s to serve 5,000 students. Since then, our student population has almost trebled and the Library now struggles to accommodate modern technologies and learning styles. The University has set itself the aim to be recognised as one of the world’s leading institutions and the Library is a signal of this ambition. - What will the new Library provide to students?
It will provide a state-of-the-art, 21st century learning and research environment for students and staff. Modern degrees require far more presentations and group learning activities, placing less emphasis on individual study, and this shift will be reflected in the building with seminar and presentation rooms and comfortable seating and group working areas. With the latest online and electronic facilities, the Library will be fully wi-fi compatible and provide the campus with a new social focus offering lots of areas for students to meet to discuss course work or last night’s TV. - How will the University fund this ambitious project?
The £57m Library is the flagship project of the University’s ten year, £230m capital investment plan to redevelop its facilities at both King’s College and Foresterhill. This is, of course, a very ambitious development but we believe that this is what we need to do to enable the University to fulfil its potential. Architecturally it will be a stunning building, totally different from anything else on campus and a prominent addition to the Aberdeen skyline. The University is raising funds from individuals, charities and the corporate sector towards the Library. Over 2,000 donors have already pledged £8m towards the project, and our fundraising efforts will continue until the building opens in 2011. If you would like to make a donation towards the project, please click here. |
ALUMNI EVENTS AND REUNIONS 10 June 2008: Banff - Join Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor C Duncan Rice on Tuesday 10 June at Duff House at 6.30pm for drinks and light refreshments. The evening offers an opportunity to hear the latest University news from Professor Rice and to meet fellow alumni and staff. It is also a celebration of the work of local artist and Honorary Graduate, Dr Ena Baxter, whose paintings are being exhibited at Duff House from May to August. For more information or to book your place please email alumni@abdn.ac.uk. 19 June 2008: Inverness - Join the Sixth Century Campaign Board at a special reception for alumni and friends of the University on Thursday 19 June at 6.00pm at Dochfour House, Inverness. If you would like to attend or for more information please email l.anderson@abdn.ac.uk. 25 June 2008: Aberdeen - Join us for drinks, a chance to reminisce with friends and make new ones and enter our exciting prize draw. The event will be held at RSVP, The Academy, Aberdeen on Wednesday 25 June anytime from 6.00pm onwards. This event is free but places are limited. To register email h.veitch@abdn.ac.uk. 26 June 2008: Vancouver - Alumni Ambassador, Betty Icharia has kindly offered to host an event for alumni living in and around Vancouver. The event will be held at Watermark Restaurant Patio, 1305 Arbutus Street on Thursday 26 June at 5.30pm. If you would like to register your attendance or find out more please email f.bain@abdn.ac.uk. | WIN TICKETS TO THE DAVID ATTENBOROUGH EVENT We are giving away four VIP tickets to the sold out David Attenborough event on 30 June 2008. We will pick 1 graduate at random who are already signed up to the online community to win the first set of tickets. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning the second set of tickets please register for the online community at www.abdn.ac.uk/alumni and click the link to register. Good luck! |
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MESSAGE FROM THE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION May has been a busy month of elections on campus. There was a by-election for the position of VP Education and then, after a long week of campaigning, Stephen Robertson was elected as the new Rector of the University. Mr Robertson was an active member of the student body during his time at the University before he found fame as part of the Doric comedy trio Scotland The What? He begins his three-year tenure in July. We would love to hear from anyone who remembers the process of electing a rector from their time at the University, such as those who were involved in the traditional flour battle in Marischal Quad. And it is that time of year again where the Association begins to plan Freshers’ Week. With over 3,000 new students set to begin courses at the University, it is our challenge to dream up fun and inventive ideas to help them find their way around the University and Aberdeen. Do you have any exciting, amusing or humiliating Freshers’ Week experiences you would like to share with us? If so, send them to sapresident@abdn.ac.uk.
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