Visitors at this year’s University of Aberdeen Open Day are being given the chance to win a top of the range digital camera by capturing a snapshot of campus life.
The venture is part of a new photography competition being launched at the Open Day on Tuesday, August 29. The Open Day will be the 7th of its kind for the University and will see upwards of 4,500 visitors from across the UK, Europe and worldwide gather at the King’s College campus for a packed day of activities and talks.
The photography competition is open to all visitors on the campus who wish to take part. The shots can be taken at any location on the King’s College campus and the winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including two city-based photographers.
The competition participants will be given until Tuesday, September 12, 2006 to submit their photographs to the University’s Open Day via email: openday@abdn.ac.uk The best photographs will then be displayed on the Open Day website for the judges to peruse and make their final decision. The winner of the best photograph will receive a digital camera, while the second and third place photographers will also win prizes for their efforts.
The Open Day is one of the University’s biggest and most important events of the year and is aimed mainly at those interested in coming to study at Aberdeen in September 2007. It is open to people of all ages looking for more information on the University and studying at Aberdeen, and late applicants for 2006 entry will also be very welcome to attend.
Lesley MacLennan, the University’s Marketing Officer, said the aim of the photo competition was to give Open Day visitors the ideal chance to capture their own lasting image of the University. She said: “The King’s College campus is a beautiful and historic campus and by launching a photography competition, we hope our visitors will be enthused to capture our fantastic surroundings.
“The King’s College campus is the perfect setting for a competition of this kind with many historic sights. The Open Day also lends itself well to this type of competition as there’s so much going on. There’s a real buzz on campus and we hope to get some photographs that truly encapsulate the amazing atmosphere of the day.”
Prospective students and other visitors are encouraged to take the photographs on their camera phones although there will be a chance to win disposable cameras at The Union Party which is held the night before the Open Day. The party offers a real taste of student life and there will also be the chance for potential students to stay overnight in the Halls of Residence. A Parents’ Reception has also been arranged for the night before the Open Day - to be held in James Mackay Hall on the King’s College campus.
“The aim of the Open Day is, ultimately, to ensure that our visitors have as much fun as possible while finding out about what the University has to offer, and the photo competition is the perfect way to capture a lasting impression of their day in Aberdeen,” added Lesley.
The Open Day also features a packed line-up of presentations on issues such as student life, finance, careers, and accommodation. Visitors can take part in departmental visits and campus tours at the University’s King’s College. The School of Medicine programme will this year be available on King’s campus and will comprise a careers presentation and general information on the University for students hoping to study medicine and medicine-related subjects. Pre-booked students will also get the chance to take part in the interactive demonstrations at the Clinical Skills Centre.
Visitors are welcome to attend the Open Day on their own or as part of a school party. Parents, teachers and guidance staff are also invited along. There will be a Chill Out Zone especially for adults to enjoy some quiet time during the busy schedule. Selectors and other staff will be visiting the Chill Out Zone throughout the day to chat informally to parents and teachers.
Booking is essential for the Open Day on August 29 and prospective students must log on to www.abdn.ac.uk/openday to register their place or call Student Recruitment and Admissions on 0800 027 1495, or email: openday@abdn.ac.uk for more information.