The University of Aberdeen’s School of Education is seeking staff and students of the former Northern College of Education and the Aberdeen College of Education to take part in a special event this summer to bid farewell to the Hilton campus.
The University’s School of Education was established in December 2001 following the merger with Northern College.
The campus will close its doors for the last time in July this year with the 200 staff and 1,400 students relocating to the newly-refurbished MacRobert Building on the University’s main campus at King’s College.
The Hilton campus has been the home of teacher training in Aberdeen for the past 36 years as the Northern College of Education and the Aberdeen College of Education and the University is marking the closure of the campus with a series of events on Friday, June 10, 2005.
An ‘Open Doors’ event will run from 12noon until 2.00pm and will feature a display of memorabilia including past staff photographs. This event is aimed primarily at current staff and students although former staff, alumni and the general public are welcome to take part in the afternoon’s events.
This will be followed by an evening staff reception and buffet supper in the Senior Common Room at 7.00pm and it is hoped that as many former staff as possible will turn out for the occasion. The evening reception will also give former staff the chance to view the display of memorabilia.
Cathy Macaslan, Head of the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen, said: “The Hilton campus has provided a significant base for teacher training initiatives in Aberdeen for the past 36 years.
“We hope to attract as many former students as possible who will be able to share their memories and relive their days as student teachers at Hilton.
“We recognise the vital role the facility has played over the years and by holding a series of commemorative events we are acknowledging the high opinion that former and current students and staff have of the campus.”
Plans are on schedule for the School of Education community to move to the MacRobert Building in July.
Ms Macaslan continued: “There is no doubt that students from the Hilton campus will benefit from being based within the wider activities of the main campus at Old Aberdeen.
“Our new facilities will significantly enhance the University’s teaching provision and Continuing Professional Development facilities.”
Former staff of Aberdeen College of Education and the Northern College of Education who are interested in attending these events on Friday, June 10, at Hilton campus, Hilton Place, Aberdeen, are urged to contact Margaret Watt in the School of Education on (01224) 274611.
Former students who wish to attend the lunchtime events should contact the University of Aberdeen Alumni Relations Office on (01224) 273234, or email: alumni@abdn.ac.uk.