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Welcome to the Voic:E
Welcome to the February 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!
Since our November edition, we've been joined by two new team members, Chloe Bruce and Gary Coull, who are excited to begin working with the alumni family! Find out more about their responsibilites by going to the Meet the Team section of our website. |
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We want to continue sharing information about alumni benefits, volunteering opportunities, events and news with you! However, it is going to become much more difficult for us to do so if you have not completed our Stay in Touch form.
Please don't forget to complete this short form as this could be the last edition of the E:Zine you receive and we don't want to lose the opportunity to stay connected with you! |
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Aberdeen in America
We were very pleased to see several of our US alumni and friends at our recent series of Aberdeen in America events. The University of Aberdeen’s Chapel Choir, led by royal composer Professor Paul Mealor, took centre stage at the 2018 UNICEF Snowflake Ball in New York on 27 November. The evening concluded with a rendition of Here Comes the Sun with Sheryl Crow in front of Beatles legend Sir Ringo Starr.
Representatives from the University, along with alumnus and CNN White House Correspondent Stephen Collinson, also participated in a panel discussion entitled 1918-2018: A Century of International (Dis)Order? The Past, Present and Future of American and European Values in Washington DC.
Coinciding with St Andrews Day, the University held an event in Washington DC to celebrate the life of historic graduate Dr William Thornton, architect of the iconic Capitol Building.
Photographs, recordings and more information about these exciting events can be found on the Aberdeen in America News section of our webpages. |
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Celebration of Carols
The University of Aberdeen was joined by a host of famous faces including alumnus and actor Iain Glen, actress Charlotte Emmerson, singer and broadcaster Fiona Kennedy, and actor and presenter Sir Tony Robinson, to lead the annual Celebration of Carols on 19 December 2018 in London.
Photos from this wonderful evening can be viewed through the University of Aberdeen Alumni Facebook page. |
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HRH The Duchess of Rothesay Officially Installs Principal
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay officially installed Professor George Boyne as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen on Wednesday 16 January 2019.
The event also saw Her Royal Highness confer an honorary degree upon Edward Stevenson who worked in the University’s biomedical physics department for 42 years and supported the pioneering team which created the world’s first clinical MRI scanner.
Photos and further information about this event can be found on the News section of the University website.
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Campus Plans for University in Qatar
In September 2017 the University launched the first international branch in Qatar as AFG College with the University of Aberdeen, in partnership with the Al Faleh Group for Educational and Academic Services. There are also ambitious plans for a new purpose-built campus which will deliver a wider range of degrees including STEM subjects and health sciences as well as social sciences. Further information about the campus in Qatar can be found on the University website. |
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For more University news, click here. |
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Alumna Signs Publishing Deal
Joanna Gill is an award-winning composer born in Perth, Scotland and from a young age she wanted to become a film composer. When Joanna moved to the University of Aberdeen to study music she met royal composer Professor Paul Mealor, who introduced her to the beauty of choral music. After studying composition alongside Professor Mealor, her passion to study composing for film and TV brought her to London to gain her masters. Joanna’s music has been performed across the UK including at some of London’s most prestigious venues; St-Martin-in-the-Fields, the Barbican, Hampton Court Palace and the Royal Albert Hall. In 2018 Joanna was the winner of a competition to write a piece of music commemorating the centenary of WW1 and the Woman's Suffrage Movement. The premiere took place in Stirling Castle in August followed by further performances at the Edinburgh Fringe.
In January 2019 Joanna signed her first publishing deal with Vienna-based Universal Editions, who are about to begin publishing and promoting her choral works as well as new pieces worldwide. She also works as an orchestrator and arranger and her Christmas carol arrangements have been played across London and Edinburgh, including by the London Symphony Chorus and Brass Ensemble with world renowned conductor Simon Halsey.
Congratulations Joanna! We cannot wait to hear the latest music you produce!
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Graduate Joins RAF Board
Before joining the University of Aberdeen in 1977 to study an MA in History, Will Whitehorn learned to fly as a Royal Air Force cadet. In 1987 he joined the Virgin Group working directly for Sir Richard Branson and during his twenty years there was very involved in Branson's record-breaking hot-air balloon adventures; he later became President of Virgin Galactic. In 2010 he began a non-executive and venture capital advisory career and is currently Chairman of the SEC and SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Chairman of The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh as well as Deputy Chairman of Stagecoach Group PLC and of Good Energy PLC. He was one of the founder shareholders in Purplebricks Group PLC and is a director of space satellite manufacturer AAC Clydespace. He holds a fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society and was awarded their prestigious Geoffrey Pardoe Space Award in 2010 for services to the industry.
In the autumn of 2018 he was appointed Chief of Air Staff for the RAF Board: “I seem to have spent almost all my working life never very far away from planes and more recently rockets, satellites and usually a business start-up as well! The honour of being invited by the Chief of the Air Staff to join the Royal Air Force Board was totally irresistible. This is a fantastic organisation, which is busier than ever around the world and having to cope with all the issues of innovation and disruption which now deeply affect all modern industries including the defence of the nation.”
Congratulations Will! We hope you to continue to fly high!
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Alumni Benefit of the Month |
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Our benefits for this month are McGinty’s and The Stag. Located in the city centre of Aberdeen, McGinty’s is a warm and welcoming pub that offers a selection of drinks, homemade food and comfortable surroundings. Also located in the city centre, the Stag is a traditional bar and a great place for meeting up with people. Both offer alumni a 20% discount on food. Don’t forget your alumni privilege card!
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For more alumni benefits click here. |
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Thank You to Our Volunteers!
This edition we're highlighting alumni volunteers Babak Alnasser, Ken Innes, Ian Midgley, David Lorimer and Alan Holbrook who supported the School of Engineering Career Day. Thank you to all of our alumni volunteers for their continued support and engagement. It is much appreciated by our students, fellow alumni, our team and the wider University.
Take Part in Run Balmoral or the Aberdeen Kilt Walk
Everyone has their own reasons for giving – be it giving back to a cause close to your heart or a desire to make a difference. Last year, STV reporter Anne Smith told us her reasons for fundraising for the University’s Cancer Research Programme and you can watch her video here.
If you want to join in by taking part in an organised fundraising event this year, we are giving away free places to alumni and friends who want to participate in Run Balmoral or the Aberdeen Kiltwalk (or both!). All you need to do is agree to raise funds for medical research at the University.
For more information or to register your interest please contact Lynne Black on 01224 272087 or at lynne.black@abdn.ac.uk.
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Share Your Story
We want to celebrate and share the diverse paths our alumni have taken since graduating. If you would like to let us know what you’ve been up to please share your story by completing an alumni profile. |
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Volunteer at the 2019 Torcher Parade
The Torcher Parade is coming back in 2019! The parade will take place on Union Street at 6pm on 23 March. The RAG committee is working towards securing 20 floats and they would like to invite alumni to support the event by volunteering as stewards or by helping to spread the word of the event - as well as bringing themselves and families out on the night to watch! More information can be found on the AUSA website. If you're interested in volunteering please email Danielle Grieve at danielle.grieve@abdn.ac.uk |
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News from The Development Trust |
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Anniversary Event Launches Fundraising Appeal
On Wednesday 6 March the University of Aberdeen Development Trust will celebrate the first anniversary of the University of Aberdeen Centre for Women’s Health Research by launching a fundraising appeal. Opened by Her Excellency Dr Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Al Thani in March 2018 the Centre’s mission is to achieve excellence in research across the spectrum of women’s health, and to enhance the University's position as a global leader in this area. The event starts at 6.30pm at the Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen and guests will have the opportunity to hear more about the exciting developments including our partnership with the new Baird Family Hospital.
If you would like to attend please contact Lesley Dugan on 01224 272800 or email lesley.dugan@abdn.ac.uk by Friday 1 March 2019. Find out more about our women’s health research here. |
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The Power of Collective Giving
Every year the Development Trust receives significant cumulative support from donors who give regularly. The collective power of this support has an astounding impact on so many individuals and projects and, significantly, on our students through scholarships and student experiences. Recent donations will enable a wide range of benefits. Widening access is a key priority for the University so that we can harness the talent and potential of young people who are considering higher education but deem it unachievable without the financial support of scholarships. Clubs, societies, mental health support services, choirs and sports bursars also benefit from your generous support.
Read more about scholarships, including widening access, here and read more about the student experiences you enable here. |
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Friday 8 March - International Women's Day Conference, Aberdeen
This conference aims to not only inspire women, but to raise the profile of issues that are central to career development for female colleagues at both a local and national level. For further information about the conference, including how to register, click here. |
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Tuesday 12 March - Beers in Brussels, Belgium
Sample a taste of Aberdeen in the Belgian capital. Network with fellow alumni over a beer or two at Brewdog, Putterie, Brussels (beside Gare Central) on Tuesday 12 March 2019 from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Let us know you're interested in attending by registering here.
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18 March - 22 August 2019 Substance to Style: Traditional Arts of East Asia, Aberdeen
Located in The Gallery of the Sir Duncan Rice Library, this exhibition will explore the materials used in art crafted across East Asia and showcase pieces from the University’s collections from China and Japan, alongside loans from the National Museums Scotland. |
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Wednesday 20 March - Mindful Leadership: Business Breakfast
At this business breakfast Dr Graeme Nixon intends to examine the potential of mindfulness for organisations and their leadership. Attendees will receive a certificate for one hour of continuing professional development (CPD).
This workshop is limited to 30 places, please click here to register. |
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Saturday 23 March - Aberdeen Boat Race, Aberdeen
The Aberdeen Boat Race returns for its 24th year on Saturday, 23 March at 3.20pm thanks to the continued support of Aberdeen Standard Investments. Spectators can experience all the excitement at the Dee riverside.
For information about how to follow the race please click here. |
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Friday 22 March - Cocktail Evening at Strathisla Distillery, Keith
Join alumni in Moray for a cocktail evening at the oldest working distillery in the Highlands of Scotland on 22 March from 7.30pm-10pm. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of £25 instead of £35. Register to attend the evening by clicking here. |
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Friday 24 May - AUSA Alumni Day
AUSA are aiming to bring together former students, sabbatical officers, volunteers, council members and other students who took part in societies, sports clubs and as well as students’ groups. For more information, get in touch with the Student President at ausapresident@abdn.ac.uk |
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USA, Spring 2019
Beginning on 2 April 2019 there will be a series of events for alumni in Boston, Chicago, Connecticut and New York, ranging from informal gatherings to panel discussions with academic experts. The week will culminate with the 21st Annual New York Tartan Day Parade and post-parade drinks on Saturday 6 April. There will also be an exciting event at the Getty Museum in LA in the spring - details coming soon so watch this space! Further details of all our events will be shared on our Facebook and Twitter channels and our website. If you would like more information or to register your interest, please email Fiona Urquhart at f.urquhart@abdn.ac.uk. |
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From Aberdeen to Europe, May 2019
To coincide with Europe Day on 9 May 2019, we are launching a week-long series of activities for alumni based in Europe and we want to celebrate the achievements of our European alumni throughout this week. We are currently working with alumni ambassadors to plan events in Paris, Brussels, Warsaw, Helsinki, Rome and Athens, and we're hoping to attend a couple of them ourselves. If you would be interested in attending these events or would like to work in partnership with us to host an event in your city please contact Chloe Bruce at chloe.bruce@abdn.ac.uk. More information will be shared shortly. |
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Friday 24 May - Sunday 26 May - May Festival 2019, Aberdeen
Prepare for Mayhem as the University of Aberdeen’s May Festival returns for its seventh year! Offering a fun and inspiring programme of events to keep visitors of all ages entertained, there is something for everyone! For one weekend, the historic campus will be transformed into a hub of festival fun, from cultural crafts and powerful performances to exploring the fascinating science of everyday life.
For more information please see our website.
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King's College, ABERDEEN, Aberdeenshire AB24 3FX
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