PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Tuesday, April 26 – details to follow
The generosity of donors who support scholarships and bursaries for University of Aberdeen students will be marked when the third annual Scholars’ Reception is held on Tuesday, April 26.
Each year, critical support is gifted to the University of Aberdeen Development Trust to provide student scholarships and bursaries. The Scholars’ Reception will recognise this year’s scholars and will be an opportunity for the University to thank the many individuals and organisations that provide support for scholarships and bursaries to Aberdeen students.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor will be joined at the event by Dr Calum MacLeod, CBE, Chairman of Grampian Television and a Trustee of the Development Trust, and Dr Graeme Roberts, Vice-Principal, Teaching and Learning, along with scholars and University staff. Over 100 guests, including individual donors, corporate donors, representatives of Trusts and Foundations and scholars will attend the Reception to be held in the James Mackay Hall from 6 – 7.30pm.
Principal C Duncan Rice is delighted to be welcoming the scholars and donors to the evening event. He said: “The Scholars’ Reception is an important annual occasion in the University’s calendar. A great number of individuals, companies and trusts have generously gifted the University a significant amount of money for student support. We hope that this year’s event will be an opportunity for our various donors to meet the students who have benefited from their generosity.”
Companies, trusts and foundations as well as alumni and friends have gifted millions of pounds for the support of students.
Most of the scholarships are in support of undergraduate students. They are based on need as well as merit and the personal stories of the scholars inspire everyone who comes into contact with them.
The University offers students a range of scholarships and bursaries, providing needs-based support or assistance in specific areas of study, such as the Gordon Morrison Scholarship in Engineering for honours students displaying academic potential. These are funded by individuals and businesses donations, like The Royal Bank of Scotland, which has supported the Prince of Wales Bursaries since 2001. Following four years of funding, the first group of students supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland will graduate this summer.
135 scholars are currently supported by scholarships funded by companies, trusts, foundations or individuals, with a further 30 scholarships offered every year. The Scholarship Programme is part of the University’s Sixth Century Campaign, launched by Principal C Duncan Rice in 1999.
The Sixth Century Campaign is one of the most ambitious campaigns by any Higher Education institutions in the UK and aims to raise £150m by the end of the decade.