Launched in 1999 to mark our sixth century of existence; today a major international fundraising initiative well on the way to achieving its ambitious target.
Sixth Century Campaign
Philanthropy and the support of generations of graduates, friends, companies and organisations has played an important role in the growth of the University, since the first royal endowment in the year 1495. This has been taken forward vigorously under the leadership of Professor Sir Duncan Rice, who brought to Aberdeen his invaluable experience as Vice-Chancellor at New York University, where he played a key role in one of the most successful US campaigns, raising over $1 billion in 10 years.
In 1999, to mark the start of its sixth century of existence, the University of Aberdeen launched the biggest fundraising programme ever undertaken by a Scottish university - the Sixth Century Campaign. This ambitious campaign aims to raise a total of £150 million by 2010. By the end of its first phase in October 2004, the interim target of £40 million had already been exceeded.
The flagship project for the second phase of the campaign is a new Library for our Sixth Century. This will provide both a purpose-designed environment for 21st century learning, and a home for our precious historic collections and archives to maximise their research potential and widen access to scholars and interested individuals from around the world.
We are also be taking forward the Matthew Hay Project to create an outstanding new medical training centre on the Foresterhill healh campus, and a new regional sports centre which will bring Olympic-standard facilities to North-East Scotland.
We shall also, with your help, continue to build a community of the world's finest academics through Sixth Century Chairs, support students through our growing scholarship programme, preserve our history and heritage for future generations, and continue to invest in ground-breaking medical research to discover new cures and treatments for the health issues facing many in our 21st century world.
These pages will tell you more about the Sixth Century Campaign, including what we have already achieved.