The University of Aberdeen and two local secondary schools will today (Monday, December 18) announce a unique new collaboration aimed at making higher education more accessible for pupils living in the vicinity of the University.
Around 80 pupils and teachers from Linksfield Academy and St Machar Academy will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the schools and the University as part of U ALSO – the University of Aberdeen Schools Liaison Group.
The brief ceremony will be followed by a lecture called Flashes and Bangs. Dr Donald Macphee, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, will produce a series of exciting, colourful and loud experiments, highlighting the fun aspect of studying chemistry, as well as promoting the importance of the subject in terms of a career opportunity.
Kathy Fowler, Manager of Key Learning Opportunities, said that U ALSO promises to be an exciting project, which will provide a formal link between the University and its local schools.
“We are looking to extend the network into other schools once the project is up and running, as well as holding an annual lecture in different subjects aimed at showing the school pupils the wide range of subjects the University has to offer.”
Len Taylor, Headmaster at St Machar Academy, said: “We are looking forward to a closer working relationship with our neighbouring university and together creating educational pathways for more and more of our pupils.”
Sue Muncer, Acting Head Teacher at Linksfield Academy, said: “At Linksfield, we look forward to working with the University on this exciting new development, offering as it does, to both staff and pupils, the opportunity of an enhanced school experience. Initially, this would be in relation to the curriculum, but longer term we would hope in relation to other aspects of school life, such as personal and social education and study support.”
PRESSCALL: The Memorandum of Understanding will be signed in Lecture Theatre 4 in the Meston Building at 2.00pm by Professor Ian Macdonald, Senior Vice Principal at the University, and representatives of the two schools. It will be followed by Dr Macphee’s lecture.
Further information: Alison Ramsay, Press Officer on (01224) 273778
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.