At a ceremony at St Machar Academy, the University of Aberdeen today () marked the establishment of The Prince of Wales Scholarship Scheme which is aimed at making access to higher education more possible for talented young people whose personal or financial circumstances might otherwise have made it impossible to benefit from this experience.
The Prince of Wales Scholarship Scheme adds further strength to the long association between the Royal Family and the University. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, is Patron of the University of Aberdeen Development Trust and, in 1996, Her Majesty The Queen visited the University as part of the Quincentenary celebrations and opened the first phase of the Institute of Medical Sciences. Thereafter, in March 1999, the University was delighted to announce that HRH The Prince of Wales had agreed to become Patron of the Sixth Century Fundraising Campaign.
University Principal, C Duncan Rice said: “We are delighted that His Royal Highness has honoured the University by agreeing to the establishment of The Prince of Wales Scholarship Scheme. As Patron of our Sixth Century Fundraising Campaign, the Prince has always laid particular emphasis on his support for any activities benefiting students, especially in terms of easing access to our courses."
Fifteen new Prince of Wales Scholarships of £1,000 per year will be available from September 2001. A further fifteen Scholarships have already been awarded for the September 2000 intake. £240,000 funding has been made available by The Royal Bank of Scotland to help fund the Scheme. This is in addition to the £100,000 already committed by The Royal Bank of Scotland to the University of Aberdeen to support bursaries at the Summer School.
Sir George Mathewson, Chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group said: “The Royal Bank is honoured to be associated with the launch of The Prince of Wales Scholarship Scheme.
"Our support for both the summer school and access bursaries is part of our long term commitment to education and to social inclusion. We recognise that financial and social factors can prevent many young people in Britain from fulfilling their educational potential and that the best and brightest come from all sections of the community."
To mark the official announcement of The Prince of Wales Scholarship Scheme, journalists are invited to attend the ceremony held at St Machar Academy, St Machar Drive, Aberdeen at 10:30 am, followed by a photo and interview opportunity at 11:20 am in the school library. Presentations will be made by the Chancellor of the University, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn; Principal of the University, C Duncan Rice; Roger Hunt, Area Manager, Royal Bank of Scotland; Prince of Wales Scholar Karen Murray, and Clarissa Dickson Wright, University Rector. The fifteen new Prince of Wales Scholars will also be present. Press packs will be available at the event.
Application for the Scholarships is available on-line at www.abdn.ac.uk.
The University of Aberdeen currently offers in excess of 55 Entrance Bursaries which are available to all UK domiciled applicants. Around 25% of bursaries are reserved for mature applicants.
For further information, contact:
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.