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August 2018
Welcome to the August edition of Voic:E, the University of Aberdeen's alumni e-zine. We love to hear from our alumni to find out what you are doing now and we hope you enjoy hearing from us!
IMPORTANT: Due to changing data protection regulations, we now need your permission to continue emailing you. If you want to carry on receiving alumni updates such as this one, please let us know by filling in this short form. (If you have recently opted in for email contact then don't worry, you don't need to do it again!)
If you have any news or stories you think would interest the rest of the Aberdeen family, please let us know. |
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University of Aberdeen alumnus returns as Principal
The University of Aberdeen has begun a new era with Professor George Boyne taking over as Principal and Vice-Chancellor on 1 August.
Professor Boyne has joined the University of Aberdeen from Cardiff University, where he was Pro Vice-Chancellor, and also Head of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, with responsibility for all student recruitment.
Originally from the North East, Professor Boyne is also a double graduate of the University of Aberdeen.
More >> |
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Civil Engineering graduate oversees Hong Kong's largest heritage conservation project
Michael Moir, who graduated with a BSc in Civil Engineering in 1972, is Project Director for The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Central Police Station (CPS) Revitalisation Project, the largest heritage conservation and revitalisation project in Hong Kong. Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of society through its charities and community contribution.
Arts, culture and heritage is one of the Club’s strategic areas of charitable contribution and the revitalisation of CPS is an exemplary demonstration of its commitment to the community. The CPS compound comprises three declared monuments (former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison), with a total of 16 heritage buildings and outdoor spaces on a 13,600 square-metre site in the heart of urban Hong Kong. An international-grade art gallery and an auditorium have been added to contribute to the adaptive reuse of the site.
Opened to the public in phases in May 2018 after a decade-long restoration, Tai Kwun (Big Station, as the site has been called colloquially) offers a vibrant heritage, arts and lifestyle experience to promote cultural appreciation and has opened up a once closed-off part of Hong Kong by transforming it into an alluring new space for everyone to enjoy. For more information go to www.taikwun.hk.
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Alumna named Head of Policy at Scottish Land and Estates
A Master of Land Economy graduate has been named Head of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, a membership organisation representing Scottish rural landowners and businesses. Katy Dickson, who completed her degree in 2009, explains the advantages she gained from studying at the University of Aberdeen here.
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PhD alumnus appointed Chair of Radiography
Professor Nneoyi Egbe, a University of Aberdeen alumnus who graduated in 2009 with a PhD in Medical Physics, has been appointed Chair in the Department of Radiography and Radiological Science at the University of Calabar, Nigeria, where he has previously been head of the department. Upon his appointment, Professor Egbe thanked the University of Aberdeen and spoke of his unforgettable memories of his time here.
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GlaxoSmithKline announce graduate as Chief Financial Officer
University of Aberdeen graduate and Court member Iain Mackay has been announced as GlaxoSmithKline's new Chief Financial Officer as part of the pharmaceutical giant's reorganisation of its top team. Mr Mackay will vacate his role as Executive Director and Group Finance Director of HSBC to take up his new position in January 2019. Mr Mackay graduated with an MA from the University in 1982 and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant; he was also awarded an honorary Doctor Honoris Causa in 2015.
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More track success for Zoey
Chemical Engineering graduate Zoey Clarke has once again helped the Great Britain and Northern Ireland women's team to medal success in the 4x400m relay, this time at the European Championships in Berlin. The team bagged a bronze medal, the latest in a series of achievements that also includes a bronze at the World Indoor Championships in March and a silver at last year's World Championships in London. Zoey and the team's success is a result of years of hard work and dedication and it's amazing to see all that time practicing pay off when they are standing on the podium!
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New Chief Constable of Police Scotland has Aberdeen law degree
Police Scotland has confirmed Iain Livingstone as the country's new chief constable. Mr Livingstone, holder of a first-class LLB from the University of Aberdeen, will formally take up the post on 27 August.
Scotland's justice secretary, Humza Yousaf, said Mr Livingstone had "demonstrated he has the right qualities to lead Police Scotland as the service continues to enhance its ability to tackle crime and keep people safe."
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Graduate teacher's book on high school history is a local bestseller
Jeff Dugdale, who graduated with an MA in English in 1970, was well-known in his thirty year stint as a teacher (and latterly Deputy Head) at Elgin High School for producing the informative but light-hearted school newspaper Pigeon Post, all 171 copies of which can be seen here. Upon retiring in 2016, colleagues suggested that Mr Dugdale knew so much about the history of the school that he should write a book on it. He did, and The Pigeon Post Years, released only two months ago, has already sold 800 copies, raising a significant amount of money for the school fund. The book chronicles the history of the school and has over 200 contributions from former pupils and staff.
The book can be purchased from Elgin book stores, from the school itself or ordered directly by email.
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Have you written a book? We will be launching our online alumni bookshelf in the coming months, so if you want your book included please get in touch with us!
For more graduate news, why not visit our alumni blog? |
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Student satisfaction at Aberdeen remains above sector average
Student satisfaction at the University of Aberdeen has remained above the UK and Scottish sector average according to the latest National Student Survey (NSS).
The annual survey of nearly half a million students across the UK shows Aberdeen’s overall satisfaction score remained strong, above our benchmark at over 86%. Six subjects at Aberdeen achieved 100% satisfaction and many more attained over 90%.
More >> |
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Aberdeen’s first Women in Engineering Conference held at University
A collaboration between the University of Aberdeen, St Margaret’s School for Girls and oil and gas company Chevron saw more than 40 girls from throughout the UK taking part in Aberdeen’s first Women in Engineering Conference. The participants aged between 15 and 17 years old took part in a highly interactive programme of events over three days and were able to experience many aspects of university life with the aim of encouraging more females into engineering.
More>>
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For more University news, click here. |
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Benefits and Opportunities |
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Alumni Benefit of the Month: Aberdeen Sports Village
We are delighted to offer new graduates a 50% discount on an ASV Student Lifestyle Membership for a year after you graduate! And all alumni can have 15% off most memberships - for life!
More>> |
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Alumni discount for online Finance MSc
We’re delighted to announce that we are offering University alumni a 20% discount on tuition fees for our online MSc Finance programme, for start dates in October 2018, and February, April and August 2019.
The programme covers all the skills necessary for a successful career in finance, providing a deep understanding of financial theories and techniques, and an opportunity to explore specialisms such as Fintech, Big Data and International Finance.
The MSc is open to applicants of any background, meaning you can enrol even if your undergraduate degree is in a different discipline. The programme also offers the unique option to earn credits towards your Master’s degree by studying for the CFA credential, providing an added advantage in a competitive job market.
More>>
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Health professionals - health check your career!
Want to update your skills and expand your CV? Keen to improve your career progression by gaining a new qualification? We offer a broad range of stand-alone short courses, CPD modules and postgraduate programmes designed for busy health professionals. Expand your skills, knowledge and fit your studies around your existing work and family commitments. Many of the courses are delivered fully online so you choose when and where to study and at a pace that suits you. Subject areas include Anatomy, Health Economics, Nutrition, Public Health and Research Skills. Find more information and a full list of courses here. 20% discount available to University of Aberdeen graduates. Apply now and start September 2018 or January 2019.
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Business School offers Executive MBA
Are you looking for a programme that will give you the specialist skills and knowledge to accelerate your career and realise your leadership potential? Our Executive MBA is a 24 month part-time career development programme designed for ambitious professionals. This means you don’t need to have prior specialist knowledge to begin your journey towards gaining one of the most prestigious qualifications in the world.
The programme is delivered in London over long weekends (Friday to Sunday), following an 8 week sequence. This modular programme offers a convenient format for busy executives and an accessible venue in the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. The programme emphasises work-based assessment and reflective practice, developing a strong emphasis on balancing knowledge and skills.
Programme Leader Dr Ian Robson explains more about the course in this video. If you'd like to know more, please contact us at gbs@abdn.ac.uk and we will be happy to arrange a call with Dr Robson.
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US volunteers wanted for recruitment fairs
We are looking for recruitment ambassadors to attend some of our upcoming recruitment fairs and meet with the next generation of students to study at Aberdeen. Recruitment ambassadors serve as an important point of contact for students in your area who are interested in studying here. Nobody can tell the Aberdeen story with the authenticity that our alumni volunteers can and so your opinion is invaluable to prospective students and their parents.
We are looking for volunteers to attend the following events:
Chicago NACAC, 29 Sep, 11:00-15:00
Denver NACAC, 30 Sep, 13:00-16:00
South Florida NACAC, 7 Oct, 13:00-16:00
Greater Washington DC NACAC, 3 Nov, 14:00-17:00
If you are available and would be willing to help, please email alumni@abdn.ac.uk to let us know.
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Boosting business innovation with Social Science research
Have you ever wondered what Social Science could do for your business? The University of Aberdeen is looking for representatives from industry, business or private sector to participate in our ESRC Business Booster initiative. Working in collaboration with Edinburgh and Glasgow universities and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences (SGSSS), we are finding new and innovative ways to support business engagement with Social Science.
More>>
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Could you be a career mentor?
Do you want to inspire others by passing on your unique experiences, career knowledge and expertise? The University of Aberdeen Career Mentoring Programme can give you the opportunity to support our students in developing their own career ideas.
The Career Mentoring Programme is a six-month partnership offering students a unique opportunity to be matched with an experienced professional to gain one-to-one careers advice and support in a specific profession and sector.
More information and details on how to register to become a mentor can be found on the mentoring website at www.abdn.ac.uk/mentoring.
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For more alumni benefits click here. For volunteering opportunities see this page. |
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Geography Class of 1978 reunion
"Forty years after graduating, several members of the Geography Class of 1978 were reunited in late June for a weekend of nostalgia and shared memories. The weekend started off with a reception in the Craig Suite on the top floor of the University Library and continued with a tour of the campus taking in the old Refectory, down the High Street and into Elphinstone Hall and King's College Quad (“Keep off the grass!” and scary sacristans) and into the wonderful Conference Centre, formerly the Library.
An informal evening followed sharing old photographs and text books, and the following day Emeritus Professor Keith Chapman and three of the current Geography lecturers very generously gave up a Saturday morning to give a tour of St Mary’s and a talk on the current research projects of the Department. Given the geography of the area, the St Machar Bar was a natural next step!
The final day drew us to Marischal College where many of us had studied Geology and from there we headed to Hillhead Halls of residence where some had stayed. It was a truly successful weekend and on the prompting of the oldest class member, we resolved to meet up again in ten years' time. Many thanks to the Alumni team for helping us make it all possible."
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Medical Physics - 50th anniversary event
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Medical Physics programme at the University of Aberdeen, the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition is organising a celebratory reunion event for all Medical Physics alumni on Friday 2 November 2018, including talks from current professors David Lurie and Andy Welch on the history and future of Medical Physics at the University, alumni keynote speakers Ioannis Panagiotelis and Professor Neil Roberts, and tours taking in the famous Mk1 MRI scanner and the current groundbreaking prototype Fast Field-Cycling MRI scanner.
If you are a graduate of the programme and would like to attend you can find more information and register for the event here.
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Save the Date - alumni update in Sri Lanka
Professor Stephen Heys, Head of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, and Professor Rona Patey, Director of the Institute for Education in Medical and Dental Sciences, will be in Sri Lanka with other colleagues from the University of Aberdeen in November promoting an exciting range of developments in the region, involving both undergraduate and postgraduate education in the field of healthcare.
Whilst we are in Sri Lanka we would be pleased to meet with University of Aberdeen alumni to provide an update on our University and also to hear of your successes and achievements. We are planning an early evening event in Colombo on Tuesday 20 November.
If you are interested and wish to receive more information or an invitation, please contact Fiona Urquhart, Alumni Relations Officer, by emailing f.urquhart@abdn.ac.uk.
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 Aberdeen University Forestry Society centenary celebrations
Established in 1919, Aberdeen University Forestry Society is thought to be the oldest continuously active alumni society in the University. To celebrate its centenary, the Forestry Society will hold a special annual dinner on Friday 22 February 2019. The annual dinner is a long-established event, held every year since 1945, and is a great opportunity for graduates to meet up and class reunions to be organised around.
The traditional annual Borthwick-Steven Lecture will be held on the afternoon of the dinner at the University. This lecture was established in 1995 to mark the quincentenary of the University of Aberdeen and has become a firm feature of the Forestry Alumni calendar. Plans are also underway to hold a reception at the University also on the afternoon of the dinner. Further details of all these events will be sent to graduates in due course. In the meantime, for further information about the centenary events, contact aufs.annual.dinner@gmail.com.
Can you help us? In which year was the above Society photograph taken? If you know, please contact a.d.cameron@abdn.ac.uk
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Community and staff fundraisers go the extra mile for cancer research
Over the spring and summer, volunteer fundraisers and staff taking part in three separate events raised a combined total of over £40,000 for the University’s Cancer Research Programme. In April 39 friends of the University and staff ran 10K and 5K races at Run Balmoral to raise over £5,600, in May 25 friends and staff members cycled the gruelling North Coast 500 to raise almost £30,000 and in June a team of 17 staff and friends walked various distances in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk to raise over £5,800. The Development Trust would like to thank every participant and every donor for such great successes. |
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Leadership gift helps establish new scholarship
A scholarship established by the University of Aberdeen in memory of one of the founding fathers of the law summer school, Professor David Carey Miller, has received a leadership gift from the University of Aberdeen Foundation based in the USA. The David Carey Miller Scholarship, which has also been supported by the current Head of the School of Law, Dr Greg Gordon, will allow a student from the USA or Africa to take up a place on a one-year taught LLM masters degree at Aberdeen.
Find out more, including how to support the scholarship, here.
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Football legend donates cancer detecting devices
Scottish football legend Willie Henderson has donated equipment to support the work of Professor Maggie Cruickshank, the University’s Professor of Gynaecology and one of the leading experts in HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which causes 99% of cervical cancers. Mr Henderson lost his daughter Michelle to cervical cancer when she was aged just 28 and has dedicated his life to raising awareness of the disease and supporting the work of researchers specialising in this area such as Professor Cruickshank.
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Cancer research boost from Baxter Foundation
Cancer research at the University of Aberdeen will be faster and more efficient than ever thanks to vital new equipment donated by the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation. The charity has funded the purchase of a new £85,000 Attune Acoustic Focusing Cytometer – technology that can find cancer quicker by screening up to 30,000 cells per second.
Read more here or find out how you can support our cancer research here.
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Edinburgh Fringe - Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas
25/26 August 2018, 13.30, Freemason's Hall, Edinburgh
Two University of Aberdeen researchers will be taking part in this year's Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas at the Edinburgh Fringe this weekend. The CODI is designed to promote discourse, discussion and debate over some of researches most controversial topics.
On Saturday 25 August, Dr Jonathan Pettit's talk 'May Contain Neanderthal' will attempt to distinguish the hype from heredity. In a wide-ranging overview of the past, present and future of human genetics, he will address several controversial questions.
On Sunday 26 August, in 'The Spy Who Doped Me' Dr Derek Ball will take a look at the science behind one of elite sport's most controversial aspects - the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
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Ladies’ Lunch 2018 speakers announced
20 September 2018, 12:00-15:00, The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa
On Thursday 20 September the University will hold its annual Ladies’ Lunch at The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Pitfodels, Aberdeen from noon until 3pm. The event will raise awareness of our cancer research programme and will feature fascinating talks by Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka, Professor Valerie Speirs and Dr Raif Yuecel. Tickets are £35 and we promise an afternoon of excellent food, music and company.
Book a place or a table for this event here.
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The Celebration of Carols presents: The Three Ships
17 & 19 December 2018, Aberdeen & London
The Three Ships is a Christmas tale of love, hope and wonder written by Sir Tony Robinson with music by Professor Paul Mealor. A modern day take on the Christmas story, The Three Ships features the University of Aberdeen’s world-class Chamber Choir and guest narrators.
Further details will be announced over the coming weeks.
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Aberdeen Connect
Aberdeen Connect is an umbrella for alumni activity in Aberdeen and the surrounding area. We will be announcing the winter 2018 programme of events very soon, so stay tuned! If you don't currently receive Aberdeen Connect emails please get in touch and we will add you to the mailing list.
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Stay in touch and update your details on the alumni hub. |
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King's College, ABERDEEN, Aberdeenshire AB24 3FX
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