The North-east public are being asked to put learning on their shopping list next week as part of a campaign to open up the world of education to mature students.
Friendly and experienced representatives from the area's two universities and three colleges will be available at the Trinity Shopping Centre on Saturday 12 May between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm to provide information and advice on local learning opportunities from evening classes to four year degree courses to postgraduate study.
The event has been organised by the North Forum for Widening Participation in Higher Education to mark the start of Adult Learners Week, a national initiative geared to boosting interest in further and higher education.
The North Forum says that the idea of setting up a "one-stop-shop" in one of the city's main shopping malls is to attract a wider cross-section of the public who can talk to all of the area's education providers without having to make a special trip.
The institutions taking part in the one-day event are the University of Aberdeen, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen College, Banff and Buchan College of Further Education and Northern College.
The University of Aberdeen's Student Recruitment and Admissions Service on 0800 027 1495 are handling advance enquiries about the event on behalf of the North Forum.
Case Study
Profile – Adult Returners Week
John Anderson left school at the age of 15 and as soon as he was old enough got a job in the railways. After he got married, he was a lorry driver for 31 years but after a spate of ill-health, he was told he would not be able to continue working as a lorry driver. Like so many others John had to take stock of his life.
John started to look at alternative employment but quickly realised that many jobs relied on computing skills – so at 53, John took the plunge and went back to college.
John said: “I’ve worked hard all my life but the physical side of the job finally took its toll. I was a bit apprehensive about going back to college – on my first day, I didn’t even know how to switch the computer on but the staff have been really terrific and I’m really enjoying the course – in fact, I’m going to come back to do a more advanced level next year!”
John Anderson is studying Admin Bytes at Aberdeen College.
Further information from Angela Begg, Media Relations, University of Aberdeen, on (01224) 272960.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, Tel: (01224) 272014 or Fax: (01224) 272086.
This press release has been issued on behalf of the North Forum for Widening Participation in Higher Education.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.