The University of Aberdeen Business School completes a successful first year this week with news of a £10,000 gift from international oil and gas company, Canadian Natural Resources (CNR) UK Limited. The donation, made in memory of late CNR financial director Bill Stiles, continues the company's long history of supporting new training and education initiatives and actively contributing to the quality of life in the communities where it does business.
Worth £1000 per annum each for four years, two Bill Stiles Scholarships will be awarded to students wishing to study for an Accountancy degree at the University of Aberdeen Business School but whose financial circumstances might otherwise deter them from pursuing higher education. Prospective students of Accountancy will be joining a School with a strong UK reputation for both undergraduate and postgraduate research.
Jan Bebbington, Professor of Accountancy, is delighted with the award: 'Scholarship support makes a world of difference to today's students. The benefits of having extra time to devote to study can readily be seen in classes and in course work. Generous corporate gifts like these also provide opportunity for the Business School to strengthen its links with industry and, potentially, to initiate work placements or even long term employment for our students."
Martin Cole, CNR Vice-President and Managing Director (International), is enthusiastic about his company's involvement with the University of Aberdeen: "In the short time that CNR has been established in Aberdeen as a major operator we have identified links with the University through this commemorative scholarship. We hope to develop this relationship further through other initiatives in support of our business-related technologies".
1. The University of Aberdeen has a strong commitment to widening access to higher education and has already raised £6 million in student support through its ambitious Sixth Century Fundraising Campaign. Launched in 1999 and named to mark the beginning of the University's sixth century of existence, the Campaign aim is to raise £150 million by 2010 to help the institution rise to the challenges of the future and continue to innovate, progress and succeed.
2. The two new Bill Stiles Scholarships will be awarded to two students wishing to study for an Accountancy degree at the University of Aberdeen Business School. The Scholarships are worth £1000 per annum for four years and will be awarded to students who may otherwise not have been able to attend University and who demonstrate financial need.
3. Canadian Natural Resources Limited is a senior independent oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company based in Calgary, Canada with operations focused in Western Canada, the North Sea and offshore West Africa. Further information is available from website: http://www.cnrl.com/
4. The University of Aberdeen Business School was formed in August 2002 by a merger of the departments of Accountancy-Finance, Economics, Property and Management. Further information is available from website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/business/
5. The Department of Accountancy and Finance at Aberdeen University has a research rating of 4b and is one of only 6 UK institutions offering an ESRC recognised doctoral programme in Accountancy.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 273778 Fax: (01224) 272086. Contact: Ewan Mathieson