Aberdeen’s new library benefits from £50K funding from the Hess Corporation

The University of Aberdeen’s ambitious new library plans have been given a major boost following a £50K donation from leading global independent energy company, Hess Corporation.

George Sandison, Senior Vice President, Global Production and graduate of the University will be joined today by George Hubbard, Operations Manager, Northwest Europe, when they visit the University.  They will be in the Granite City presenting the Hess Foundation donation towards the University's new library project. 

Mr Sandison and Mr Hubbard will meet with Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor for a private meeting before taking a tour round the University's Special Collections & Archives. The Hess Corporation contributed £15K to the University's Oil Lives Project based within Special Collections & Archives which will be re-housed in the new library.

They will then meet with Professor Albert Rodger, Head of the College of Physical Sciences, followed by a meeting with Professor Bill Deans, Head of the School of Engineering. The day's events will draw to a close with a tour of the Engineering facilities.

The Hess Foundation is sponsoring the project room in the new library, which will be known as the 'Team Room'.  The project room will allow six students and staff to work collaboratively on academic projects and presentations. The room will be equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment allowing students and/or lecturers to deliver multimedia presentations to small groups. 

Principal Rice is looking forward to welcoming Mr Sandison back to his alma mater, nearly 30 years since he graduated with a BSc Eng. He said: "I would like to thank the Hess Corporation for their extremely generous financial support towards the University's new library.

"The new library represents a wonderful opportunity for companies to take a stake in our community.  I am delighted that the Hess Corporation is keen to join us in achieving our ambitious vision with our new library which will be a gift to all our communities."

Mr Sandison said: "I am pleased to be returning to the University of Aberdeen nearly 30 years since I graduated. 

"Hess is delighted to be able to contribute to the futuristic new library complex being developed by the University. 

"Aberdeen continues to be an important source of technical graduates for both our North Sea operations and our rapidly expanding global business, and we are pleased to be able to build on the strong links we have maintained over many years."

The construction of the new library and special collections centre is the flagship project of the University's Sixth Century Campaign. At a total cost of £57 million, the new library is the largest capital development in the University's 500-year history. There is a pressing need for this new facility, which will be a major international intellectual and cultural centre - serving our University population and local communities, and attracting students, researchers and visitors from around the world.

The library project will provide facilities for the institution's 14,000 student community, replacing the existing Queen Mother Library which was built when the University had only 5,000 students on campus. The new Library will be a showcase for a 200,000 strong collection of historic books and over 4,000 archival collections - that will make Aberdeen an international centre for the humanities.

A planning application for the University's major flagship library project consolidates the institution's position as a leader among world universities, and was submitted to Aberdeen City Council in August.

The University has been working closely with the design team to deliver a building which will meet the needs of all of the University, and which will also open up the possibility of much greater public access to our collections.  The work to date has delivered a design which has been positively received both within and outwith the University.