The University of Aberdeen and Banff and Buchan College have strengthened their increasing links by signing a formal partnership agreement. This agreement guarantees progression for students from the College on to named degree programmes at the University.
Principal C Duncan Rice, University of Aberdeen, said he was looking forward to working together with Banff and Buchan College to further enhance the University’s position as a centre of excellence.
He was delighted with the signing of the partnership and said: “The University of Aberdeen recognises that collaborations such as these are often the most effective way of increasing participation and widening access. I hope that it will act as an incentive for students locally and look forward to future developments between our two higher education institutions.”
Banff and Buchan College Principal Robert Sinclair, who is also a graduate from Aberdeen, welcomed the agreement. He said: “We have a number of students who study a two-year HND course at the Banff and Buchan College and then go to Aberdeen for a further two years to complete a degree.
“This agreement guarantees progression on to years two and three of named degree courses. It will act as an incentive to students and also demonstrates the advantage of the HND route.”
Both the University and the College are committed to increasing opportunities for students in the North East. Earlier this year they were two of only three Scottish institutions to receive an award in the year 2000 round of prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
This was an amazing achievement for the North East of Scotland, given the predominance of higher and further education institutions in the Central Belt.
Professor Rice continued: “It was at meetings that followed the announcement and presentation of the Queen’s Award that this agreement was suggested. It is rewarding to see the idea that we developed come through to completion.”
“This agreement will now give the people of North Aberdeenshire the opportunity to study a range of subjects at an introductory or intermediate level with Banff and Buchan College. They appreciate that progression to degree level studies is guaranteed with the University of Aberdeen, subject to successful completion of the higher national programme. It is hoped to offer these programmes at the college outreach centres in Huntly, Turriff, Peterhead and Ellon,” added Mr Sinclair.
For further information contact Angela Begg, Media Relations, on (01224) 272960.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272014 Fax: (01224) 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.