Prince Charles honours the University of Aberdeen
Date: 22 March
HRH The Prince of Wales has agreed to become Patron of the University of Aberdeen’s £150million fund-raising campaign, The Sixth Century Campaign, which is formally launched today, Monday, March 22.
The announcement will be made tonight by the Chancellor of the University, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, in front of an invited audience in the University’s medieval King’s College Chapel, which will be spectacularly floodlit to celebrate the occasion.
The most ambitious and far-reaching initiative of its kind undertaken by a Scottish university, the Sixth Century Campaign aims to raise £150million by the year 2009.
Lord Wilson, who is also Campaign Chairman, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Prince Charles has agreed to become our Patron. We are particularly proud of the very special link which this forges between His Royal Highness and the University of Aberdeen.
“Scotland has always had a magnificent tradition of distinction in higher education and research and this exciting campaign will enable us both to build on past achievements and to develop a range of new and dynamic academic and student support initiatives.”
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, said: “Prince Charles’ decision to lend this very public support to our campaign has delighted the whole university community. We, of course, take especial pride in the fact that His Royal Highness not only holds an Honorary Degree from this University, presented during our Quincentenary celebrations, but also in October last year performed the opening ceremony of our Centre for Organic Agriculture, a topic in which he has a close personal interest.”
He added: “It is a particular joy to have the Prince agree to help a university in this City in view of his long history of personal concern for our part of the country.”
The Sixth Century Campaign aims to attract investment to the University over the next 10 years from private donors, companies, trusts and foundations throughout the world. A significant percentage of the first phase of the Campaign, which aims to raise £40million by the year 2001, has already been pledged.
Principal Rice went on: “The decline in government funds per student in higher education is a trend that is likely to continue and one which must, therefore, be addressed by higher education institutions themselves.
“The money raised will support a wide range of innovative and exciting developments in fields including medical research and the development of the second phase of the Institute of Medical Sciences, oil and gas, food and nutrition, the arts, culture and the humanities, food and nutrition and regional and environmental issues.”
The University is now honoured by the support of two royal patrons. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, is Patron the Development Trust, the University’s fundraising arm, and was an enthusiastic supporter of its efforts during the Quincentenary celebrations in 1995.
Principal's Address:
The Principal's Address on the launch of the Sixth Century Campaign may be read here.