The dedication of a group of students who have worked tirelessly towards their University awards will be recognised at a special ceremony being held at the University of Aberdeen tomorrow night (Thursday, August 24).
Over 60 students of the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning will receive their certificates from the University’s Senior Vice Principal Professor Stephen Logan at tomorrow evening’s ceremony, which takes place at the University’s diner – Zeste.
Professor Logan said: “The University of Aberdeen is committed to improving access to higher education. Lifelong learning is vital to Scotland’s future. This is nowhere more striking than in Aberdeen, where we see very clearly the need to ensure that everyone who wants to work has the skills they need to do so.
“I am delighted to be presenting awards to this year’s students from the Centre for Lifelong Learning. I would like to pay particular thanks to the hard work provided by the team at the Centre whose dedication to our learners is crucial to the success of the programmes and the students.”
The awards ceremony coincides with the 21st anniversary year of the Access Programme and the 50th anniversary of the Centre for Lifelong Learning or, as it was then, the Department of Adult and Extra Mural Studies.
The University of Aberdeen has a long history of commitment to lifelong learning and the Centre for Lifelong Learning is responsible for the promotion of wider access to Higher Education through the provision of innovative, student-centred, learning opportunities.
This session, the University will award 443 course certificates; programme certificates; diplomas; MA Archaeology degrees; MA Scottish Studies and BTh degrees; as well as COSCA Certificates in Counselling Skills.
On Tuesday, August 22, the Centre’s annual award ceremony for students from Inverness and the Highlands took place in Inverness. The Right Rev John Crook, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness presented certificates, diplomas and degrees to 17 students from as far afield as Aviemore and Fort William.
The Centre provides courses for part-time and distance students and students who may find it difficult to return to education due to work or family commitments. It aims to increase opportunity and improve participation in higher education by students from under-represented groups including those from low participation schools and neighbourhoods, mature students, part-time and geographically remote students, students with disabilities and students from ethnic and other minorities.
Students have studied at Aberdeen as well as throughout the Highlands and Islands by means of audio and video conferencing. In more recent times the Centre has had students studying throughout the world via the worldwide web.
Julie McAndrews, Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, is looking forward to welcoming the students at tomorrow’s special ceremony. She said: “Our students range in age from as young as 16 up to the sprightly age of 99 and come from a wide variety of backgrounds.
“The programmes boast a number of success stories where students have had to overcome serious health, family, financial and other difficulties and have succeeded despite the obstacles which have appeared along the way.
“There have been a number of family connections on our programmes, including sisters, husbands and wives, as well as parents and children.”
As well as a number of part-time students, the University also has a growing number of full-time undergraduates who take courses at the Centre.
Students wishing to gain entry into postgraduate teaching can also take Maths and English courses through the Access programmes in order to meet the entry requirements in these subjects. The Access programme has now changed to the MA and BSc with Foundation Studies enabling students on benefits to take advantage of the fee waiver scheme, thus opening up further opportunities for non-traditional students.
Ms McAndrews added: “All the staff at the Centre for Lifelong Learning are very proud of the achievements of our students and admire their determination and commitment. We should not forget though the support of friends and family as, without this, many would not have been able to study at the University of Aberdeen.”