On Thursday 21 April the University of Aberdeen held its Annual Scholars’ Reception to celebrate the growing programme of scholarships which are changing the lives and prospects of talented students.
As more companies become involved, the scholarship programme is also building the relationship between the University and a corporate sector with a strong interest in nurturing the next generation of leaders in industry and commerce.
The reception, now in its ninth year, gives students who have benefited from a scholarship the opportunity to meet with their donors and fellow scholarship recipients. It also gives the opportunity for individuals, companies and organisations who are considering establishing scholarships the chance to meet other donors and senior University staff, and hear students speaking about the impact their scholarship has made on their life and studies.
The University currently administers 256 scholarships totalling £2.7 million. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, financial hardship, and contribution to the life of the University.
Over 100 guests - including figures from the business world, individual donors, representatives of trusts and foundations, academic staff and students receiving scholarships - attended the evening reception in the Kings College Conference Centre in Old Aberdeen.
Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor hosted the event and introduced Simon Seaton, UK Vice-President of Halliburton, which offers scholarships each year in engineering and in geology and petroleum geology, followed by two of the Halliburton scholars - Janet Herd, who receives a scholarship in engineering and Jonathan Carney who benefits from a scholarship in geology and petroleum geology.The audience then heard from Duncan Hopkin who graduated in 1965 and has launched a scholarship programme for students undertaking physical or medical science degrees, and from recipient Miriam Kauser who is in her first year studying medicine.
This year’s reception also premiered a short film produced by the University to showcase the wide variety of scholarships on offer and the difference they are making to students’ lives.
Welcoming the guests, Professor Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor said: “I’m delighted to see so many scholars, donors and staff here for this reception. Giving you all a chance to meet one another is the primary purpose of this evening, but from a University perspective it gives us a chance to say thank you for the generosity of our donors, and to express our pride in the scholars — and the work of our staff.
“Universities contribute to the good of society in many ways - but helping people to fulfil their potential is the most important contribution that we can make. The investment of individuals and companies in establishing scholarships is not only an investment in one talented individual — it is also an investment in this University and the society it serves.”
Organisations or individuals wishing to discuss the benefits of establishing a scholarship with the University of Aberdeen should contact Ali MacLeod in the Development Office by emailing a.macleod@abdn.ac.uk .