The University of Aberdeen’s ambition to become one of the country’s leading universities was given a massive boost today with the publication of UK-wide university league tables.
Aberdeen has been ranked nineteenth in the UK and third in Scotland in The Times Good University Guide.
Principal C Duncan Rice said that this recognition of academic excellence strengthens Aberdeen’s competitive position and would help it to continue to attract outstanding scholars, students and research income.
He said: “These figures reflect the hard work and commitment shown by all at Aberdeen. We all know that we have to constantly improve in such a competitive market place - regionally, nationally and internationally.”
In his inauguration speech in 1996, Principal Rice called for the entire university community to embrace his vision to enter the top twenty of UK universities.
The investment that Aberdeen has made in its academic quality by calling on financial reserves and private sector support has been realised.
In Scotland Aberdeen has risen to third place behind Edinburgh and St Andrews and has risen 17 places UK-wide - the strongest move by any university in the UK.
Professor Ian Macdonald, Senior Vice-Principal, said that rise was due to the new regime instituted by Principal C Duncan Rice.
Professor Macdonald said: “He has set more ambitious targets for us all. This achievement reflects our uncompromising stance on intellectual excellence in everything we do.”
“We have maintained our funding for student support so that financial difficulties do not affect our academic performance. This has helped maintain a low student drop out ratio.”
“We are delighted to see that The Robert Gordon University, our sister university in Aberdeen, is recognised as the strongest new university in Scotland.”
Professor Macdonald said that both Aberdeen and Robert Gordon’s success represented a wonderful accolade for Aberdeen as a city of learning and would secure greater economic benefit for the region.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, telephone: 01224 272014, fax: 01224 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.