| November 2018 Welcome to the November 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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| | |  Alumnus-directed Laurel & Hardy biopic praised after London Film Festival premiere
Stan and Ollie, the latest movie from University of Aberdeen graduate Jon S. Baird, received its world premiere as it brought the curtain down on last month’s London Film Festival. In doing so, it received a series of sparkling reviews, with The Times awarding it 5 stars and calling it “terrific” and “indecently good”, and The Independent labelling the film “insightful and endlessly touching”. Baird, who graduated with an MA in Politics and Marketing in 1996, has previously collaborated with Irvine Welsh on the film adaptation of his novel Filth, and directed an episode of Martin Scorsese’s hit TV drama Vinyl, as well as working closely with Elijah Wood during his role as an associate producer on the film Green Street. It seems his success is set to continue with this latest project, which stars Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly and is due for release in UK cinemas on 11 January 2019. |
 Medical graduate awarded prestigious King James IV Professorship for ophthalmology research
Parwez Hossain (MBChB 1990 and PhD 2001), who is Associate Professor & Consultant Ophthalmologist at Southampton General Hospital, has been awarded the King James IV Professorship by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the oldest surgical college in the world. The prestigious award is given to someone who has made a significant contribution to the clinical and/or scientific basis of surgery over an extended period of their consultant career. In receiving the Professorship, Professor Hossain will deliver a lecture entitled ‘Preventing Blindness by Application of Real-Time Healthcare Technologies’ to showcase his work. Professor Hossain said: “This is a great honour, but I would like to thank both my clinical and scientific colleagues at the University of Aberdeen for providing me with the skills to allow my research to flourish in this way. More importantly, it recognises that Aberdeen is a great place to study and provides the lifelong research skills that allow major discoveries such as how to halt blindness from eye infections.” |
 AUSA to hold Alumni Day in 2019
The Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) are planning to host an AUSA Alumni Day early in 2019. The aim is to bring together former students, sabbatical officers, volunteers, council members and other students who took part in societies, sports clubs and students’ groups in order to network, share ideas on how to move the Student body for greater impact, celebrate the works that students do and to create an AUSA Alumni Network. AUSA are hoping to reach out to as many alumni as possible and would like to know if you would be happy to be part of this network. For more information, please contact the Student President at ausapresident@abdn.ac.uk or ausa@abdn.ac.uk. |
 'No Ladies Please' - Aberdeen graduate to bring story of Aberdeen pub's ban on women to the big screen
A University of Aberdeen graduate has led a local project to film the story of how a number of female delegates from the Scottish Trade Union Congress made a stand against an Aberdeen pub's 'men only' policy in 1973. The Grill, on Union Street, had a sign in the window proclaiming 'No Ladies Please' from the mid-1920s right through to the mid-1970s when equality legislation was finally introduced. However in 1973 a group of women STUC delegates stormed the bar and demanded to be served, before ultimately being removed by the police. Founder of the Bon Accord Civic Heritage Association Dr Fiona-Jane Brown, who has an MA, an MLitt and a PhD all from the University, was inspired to bring the story to the big screen using local actors as a way of highlighting the gender inequalities that still exist in our society. "When I heard about this event, I thought it was vital that we brought the story to a wider audience," she said. "Aberdeen still had a lot to learn about equality even in 1973. We still do 45 years later!" The film has been funded both by Aberdeen City Council and crowd-funding and is currently in post-production. It was shot by project partners Crow House Projects and it is hoped that it will be released by the end of the year. |
 Calling alumni in Singapore
Aberdeen graduates Derren Joseph and Gordon Inkson, who are currently living in Singapore, are keen to establish an alumni chapter. A chapter provides information and services to alumni, students, parents of students, and other friends of the University residing in the chapter area, thereby strengthening and promoting the relationship between alumni and the University. Chapters provide a forum for alumni to socialise and maintain contact with one another. If you would like to be involved with a chapter in Singapore we would love to hear from you. For more information or to express your interest, please email alumni@abdn.ac.uk. |
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| | | | | University of Aberdeen named Scottish University of the Year 2019 The University of Aberdeen has been named as Scottish University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019. The University was judged to have performed strongly in areas including teaching quality, degree outcomes, and graduate prospects. The Guide has also acknowledged the University’s world-leading medical research, which was recognised earlier this year when Aberdeen was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize - the highest national honour for a UK university. Professor George Boyne, Principal, said: “This is a major honour and a testament to the efforts of our staff and students, as well as the great sense of identity and community that we have at Aberdeen. As an institution we consistently attract fantastically well qualified students, and this - along with the quality of our teaching - has been an important factor in our success in areas such as degree outcomes and graduate employability." More >> |
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|  University choir heading to the US
The University's wonderful Chapel Choir, conducted by our Chair of Composition Professor Paul Mealor, will be experiencing life Stateside later this month as they perform at a number of high-profile engagements in New York City as part of the University's Aberdeen in America programme of events in November. Members of our alumni family in New York are invited to come and see them at a special Choral Evensong performance at the world's largest Gothic cathedral, St John the Divine, on 25 November. You can find more information about our upcoming events in the United States here. Those closer to home will also have the opportunity to enjoy the choir at our annual alumni Celebration of Carols at St Marylebone Church in London on 19 December. |
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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: Blackwell's bookshop University of Aberdeen alumni are entitled to a 15% discount on purchases online or at the Blackwell's bookshop in Old Aberdeen. The online catalogue has 12 million titles listed and you can also use their click and collect service in branch. This discount applies to all Blackwell products from books to stationery, gifts to board games – the only exclusions are Blackwell vouchers, National Book Tokens and goods already offered at a reduced price. More>> |
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|  Thinking of developing a business idea?
Having a hunch about a new business could be the start of a new career path for you. At the Scottish Institute for Enterprise, support is offered to alumni up to two years post-study, whether you have just the seed of an idea or you are ready to launch. Dawn Shand is the Business and Innovation Adviser for the University of Aberdeen and can meet you for a free one-to-one consultation on campus or via Skype or telephone. Dawn commented, "We act as a sounding board and impartial, trusted partner providing honest and constructive advice. It may be a lifestyle decision, a new invention or simply an idea that just won’t go away. Not everyone recognises themselves as an entrepreneur but those who choose this path talk of the feeling of being in control and looking forward to every day at work, so it is well worth exploring." As well as signposting to all the possible funding opportunities and other support out there, SIE has its own Innovation Fund which could help with the intellectual property around the idea. Additionally, there is a Scotland-wide networking and training group called SIE Entrepreneurs which can be joined by invitation only. Those most committed to developing their ideas are invited to dinners and masterclasses on relevant topics. To find out more or book an appointment, email Dawn at d.shand@sie.ac.uk. |
 Sustainable diet study - volunteers needed!
What we eat contributes to climate change. However, it can be confusing to decipher all of the messages about which foods are more and less environmentally friendly. We can now estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of individuals’ food and drink consumption. Dr Ruth Slater at the Rowett Institute needs your help to find the best way of sharing this information and encouraging people to eat and drink in ways that are better for the environment. To get involved please contact Ruth via email or by phoning 01224 438038. |
 Looking to pursue a research career?
If you're interested in a career in research, applications are now open for more than 30 fully-funded EASTBIO PhD studentships at the University of Aberdeen. Projects are available within medical sciences, biological sciences and psychology. A full list of projects can be found here. The deadline for applications is 5 December 2018 for an Autumn 2019 start. |
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| For more alumni benefits click here. For volunteering opportunities see this page. |
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Medical Class of 1983 reunion A 35 year reunion was held at Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen on the weekend of 7-9 September 2018 for the Medical Class of 1983. The event was well attended, with over 50 classmates (plus partners) who graduated from the Medical School in 1983. Many had travelled from around the UK and abroad, some from as far afield as Singapore, New Zealand and Australia! Activities included a tour of the Medical School, hiking, golf, a quiz and a drinks reception, followed by photographs and a lovely dinner of smoked salmon and roast beef. After dinner there were speeches, music, and lots of opportunities to catch up with old friends. Sunday saw everyone depart for home, with plans for the next reunion already being formulated. |
 Medical Physics - 50th anniversary event
The Medical Physics MSc was first offered at the University of Aberdeen in 1968, so for the 50th anniversary of this milestone a celebratory event was held which brought together alumni, staff old and new and current students. The day included a variety of presentations from staff members and former students alongside walking tours taking in, amongst other things, the Mk1 MRI scanner and the current prototype Fast Field Cycling MRI scanner, which is the next exciting development in the field being worked on here in Aberdeen. The day was a great success and it was a pleasure to see many familiar faces returning to the University to celebrate. Some photos from the day can be viewed here. |
 Aberdeen University Forestry Society centenary celebrations
Aberdeen University Forestry Society will celebrate its centenary in 2019. Established in 1919, it is thought to be the oldest continuously active Alumni Society in the University. The Forestry Society will hold a special Annual Dinner on Friday 22 February 2019 at the Doubletree Hilton, Aberdeen. The Annual Dinner is a long-established event, held every year since 1945, and is a great opportunity for graduates to meet up and for class reunions to be organised around. Graduates are also invited to a Centenary Drinks Reception to be held in the Craig Suite on the 7th floor of the Sir Duncan Rice Library from 4pm-6pm on the afternoon of the annual dinner. The annual Borthwick-Steven Lecture will also be held on the same day and will take place at the University at 2pm. Details of the lecture will be sent out to graduates attending the dinner and reception. Please contact aufs.annual.dinner@gmail.com to apply for an invitation to the centenary dinner and drinks reception. |
Class of 1968 reunion A group of alumni who attended the University between 1964 and 1968, mostly studying arts disciplines, reunited for the fiftieth anniversary of their graduation at the end of September. As part of their weekend, some of the group had a tour of the Old Aberdeen campus and revisited some of their haunts from former days. Len Cowking, who graduated in English, wrote a really lovely summary of the event, which you can read all of on our Facebook page. “Human relics of a bygone era when George Street was an open thoroughfare linking Union Street with Kittybrewster, Starbucks on Upperkirkgate the beer bar of a buzzing Students’ Union and Marischal still a college, a score of alumni, now much aged but once fresh-faced and newly-graduated in ‘68, returned to Aberdeen for a reunion weekend late in September 2018. This was no conventional get-together. For most, reunions start soon after graduation, their membership determined by a shared academic discipline. In our case, we had waited a whole half century. And our relationships were forged not through any shared course, but over pints of heavy (costing 9p equivalent back in those days) in a variety of pubs. To those pubs we happily returned. To Ma’s, the St. Machar, the Northern Bar, The Grill. Unlike us, they hadn’t changed much. Pleasing. Pleasing, too, to have reunited and to be able, despite deep mists of time, still to recognise each other. [...] " More>> |
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| | | | New £270,000 scholarship programme created US-based businessman Dave Cormack, his wife Fiona and their family recently gifted over £270,000 to the University to establish the Cormack Family Foundation Scholarship Programme which is enabling talented and aspirational students from widening access backgrounds to realise their dreams by studying medicine or business courses at Aberdeen. Born in Aberdeen, Dave has 26 years of experience developing highly successful IT software companies. He was also guest speaker at the Watt Hepburn Lecture on 6 November which was established in 2012 thanks to support from Aberdeen alumna Ann Sants in memory of her father, Aberdeen businessman, William Watt Hepburn. More>> |
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|  Great War Remembered event supports Cancer Research Programme
An event to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War took place in Elphinstone Hall on Friday 2 November and raised over £3,000 for the University’s Cancer Research Programme. Organised by Professor Steve Heys, Head of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition who spearheads cancer research at the University, the event explored the impact of the war through the eyes, writings and poetry of those involved. It featured actor and director John Bett, songwriter and broadcaster Fiona Kennedy, music by Professor Paul Mealor and his Chapel Choir, pipers from the OTC as well as readings and performances by University staff and friends. Find out how you can support our cancer research here. |
 Energy company establishes major new scholarship
The University of Aberdeen Development Trust is delighted that energy company Equinor has announced a major scholarship for the MSc Integrated Petroleum Geoscience programme. The scholarship covers tuition fees and a generous stipend for one UK/EU student who holds an offer of admission for entry in September 2019. The recipient of this scholarship will be able to take advantage of fantastic opportunities including a two-week field trip in Utah as part of the degree programme. Find out more about supporting scholarships here. |
 Baird/ANCHOR launch and Ladies’ Lunch raise awareness and funds for cancer research
On 20 September the University held its annual Ladies’ Lunch at The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa. The event not only raised awareness of our Cancer Research Programme thanks to stimulating talks by Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka, Professor Valerie Speirs and Dr Raif Yuecel but also raised £7,500 for our research. Also, on 31 October the University of Aberdeen Development Trust took part in the launch of fundraising campaigns to support the new Baird Family Hospital and the new ANCHOR Centre. All of these fundraising activities will not only save lives but will greatly improve the lives of countless individuals and families in the North East of Scotland and beyond. Read more about the University’s research which will be enabled by the new facilities at the Baird Family Hospital and the ANCHOR Centre here. |
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| | |  Aberdeen in America
New York City and Washington DC, United States of America We have a number of events coming up for our alumni on the East Coast of America. Members of the Aberdeen family in New York City are invited to join us to witness our amazing Chapel Choir as they perform an Evensong in the Cathedral of St John The Divine on 25 November from 4pm. We hope to see our alumni in Washington DC at a panel discussion at the Bipartisan Policy Centre about the future of American and European values on 29 November and for a celebration of the life of Capitol Building architect and Aberdeen graduate Dr William Thornton on 30 November. For more information and details of how book for these events, please click here. |
 City Centre Sips: Champagne & Prosecco School
29 November 2018, 18:00, Boho Bar, Aberdeen Join us for our first City Centre Sips session, a series celebrating some of your favourite tipples in the best hideaways Aberdeen city centre has to offer. With Christmas just around the corner, this night offers a little decadence; it’s time to pop the champagne! This champagne and prosecco tasting event at Aberdeen’s Boho Bar (formerly Eclectic Fizz) gives our alumni the chance to learn about the way these drinks are created and how to tell the difference between them. Tickets are £30 per person and include a welcome cocktail, tasting school (3 champagnes and 2 proseccos) and plenty of delicious canapés. As always, the more the merrier! Please feel free to book additional places for your partner, friends or family. Over 18s only. More>> |
 University of Aberdeen Carol Service
5 December 2018, 19:30, St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen Celebrate the festive season by attending the University of Aberdeen's traditional annual carol service, which this year takes place on Wednesday 5 December at 7.30pm at St Machar's Cathedral. All are welcome to attend; however it is usually a busy event and spaces cannot be reserved so you may want to arrive early to ensure you get a seat! |
 London Celebration of Carols
19 December 2018, 19:00, St Marylebone Parish Church, London Kindly hosted by Aberdeen alumnus The Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Evans, this festive event will once again showcase our world class Chapel Choir under the direction of Professor Paul Mealor, Royal Composer and Chair in Composition. The evening will also feature readings from acclaimed actors Iain Glen, Charlotte Emmerson, Fiona Kennedy, and Sir Tony Robinson. Following the performance, you will have a chance to meet with our new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor George Boyne, as well as fellow alumni and friends over mulled wine and mince pies. Tickets are complimentary but numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. More>> |
 Aberdeen's Canaletto Rediscovered
21 January - 24 February 2018, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Aberdeen Recent research has confirmed that the University’s art collection includes a painting by Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Canal (1695-1798), better known as Canaletto, one of the most important Venetian painters of the 18th century. The identification of the painting, depicting a capriccio with Roman ruins and a bishop’s tomb, was much publicised in the national press in March 2018. The painting will be displayed alongside a recently acquired etching of ‘The Portico with the Lantern’(c.1740-44) and a ‘View of the Grand Canal with S. Simeone Piccolo and the Scalzi’ which was probably painted by Canaletto’s father, Bernardo Canal. Both paintings were bequeathed to the University in 1863 by Alexander Henderson of Caskieben, near Dyce. John Gash, Senior Lecturer in the Department of History of Art, will also be giving a talk about the painting on 7 February, which can be booked here. |
 Aberdeen Connect
Aberdeen Connect is an umbrella for alumni activity in Aberdeen and the surrounding area. We have several more activities taking place as part of our winter 2018 programme of events, including a Christmas wreath-making class, a business breakfast, a wellness workshop and a whisky-tasting evening! If you don't currently receive Aberdeen Connect emails please get in touch and we will add you to the mailing list. You can see the whole programme on our alumni events page here. |
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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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