CONVERSATION & NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 OLYMPIC DREAMS AND SPORTING SUCCESS Geology student and modern pentathlete, Rebecca Wain, gears up for 2016 LIBRARY COMES TO LIFE In September the first phase of our new state-of-the-art library opened GROUNDBREAKING VASCULITIS RESEARCH Debbie Ley saddles up to support research ALUMNI AND CAMPUS NEWS VOICE ■ EDITORS FEATURES ALUMNI NEWS RACHEL SANDISON Director of Marketing 3 18/19/20 Student Recruitment & A Word From The Alumni Profiles Alumni Relations Principal Sheila Mackenzie CONVERSATION & NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 [email protected] Richie McColm TARAH GILLESPIE 4/5 Faith Liddell Senior Marketing Officer [email protected] Library Comes To Life LIBRARY COMES TO LIFE In September the first phase of our new state-of-the-art 21/22/23 library opened OLYMPIC DREAMS ALUMNI RELATIONS 6/7 AND SPORTING SUCCESS News Geology student and KAREN SCAIFE modern pentathlete, Rebecca Wainwright, Inspirational Mum gears up for 2016 Alumni Development GROUNDBREAKING Become an Alumni Ambassador VASCULITIS RESEARCH Debbie Ley saddles up Executive Saddles Up To Support to support research Career Mentoring ALUMNI AND [email protected] Research CAMPUS NEWS Mentor Profile FIONA URQuhart 8/9 Alumni Events Round-Up Alumni Development Student Profile Return to The Burn Executive [email protected] Rebecca Wain Appointment of Non-Executive WWW.ABDN.ac.UK (front cover photo) Member to the University Communications Court and Member of the Audit DESIGNED & Produced BY SHAUNAGH KIRBY 10/11 Committee HAMPTON Associates Head of Communications General Council Aberdeen, Tel: 01224 620562 Campus News www.hamptonassociates.com JENNIFER PHILLIPS Fraser Noble to boast new Communication Officer Postgraduate Centre PRINTED BY BGP, Bicester JO MILNE 50/52 College Bounds – Paper sourced from Communication Officer their story continues sustainable forests VOICE magazine Rowett new build to University of Aberdeen expand nutrition role on King’s College world stage Aberdeen Scotland AB24 3FX Student journos gear up for Science Festival Principal & VICE- CHANCELLOR Students elect new Rector PROFESSOR IAN DIAMOND FBA FRSE AcSS 12/13/14 News Round-Up SENIOR VICE-principal PROFESSOR STEPHEN Aberdeen researchers LOGAN reveal stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis Secretary TO THE UNIVERSITY Why craving carbs may be STEVE CANNON in your genes after all © 2011 UNIVERSITY OF Creativity needed to tackle ABERDEEN conflicts of conservation Rowett research can help feed the world Diving deep into controversies of ocean science Rural law group leads debate on topical issues for Scotland Partner of choice for a challenged energy sector Music prize finalists arrive from across the world Current students give big thumbs up for Aberdeen experience 16 A Mutual Honour 17 Events & Exhibitions WELCOME VOICE A WORD FROM THE Principal Those of you who follow higher education We say exceptional because in the past few in the news will know that universities in the years we were one of the first universities UK are entering an unprecedented period in Britain to redesign our curriculum in of change. In recent months, the Scottish partnership with students and employers to Government has announced that from ensure that Aberdeen graduates are equipped 2012/13 universities will be allowed to charge to face the challenges of the 21st century. This students from the rest of the UK higher tuition has been so well received by employers that fees up to a maximum of £9,000 per annum the Aberdeen model is now being adopted as is the case in England and Wales. On top by other UK and international universities. of that, it has also announced some quite The 2011 National Student Survey has again significant proposals to reform the entire post- ranked Aberdeen as one of the UK’s top 20 16 education sector in Scotland. universities for student satisfaction. And we are equally highly regarded for our excellence The reform of the post-16 education system is in research with the most recent UK wide likely to mean a greater emphasis on increasing Research Assessment Exercise stating that retention rates and improving participation 90% of the research conducted at Aberdeen is from students of all backgrounds, providing of international quality. an excellent student experience, a greater concentration of research funding on those Professor Ian Diamond We can also point to the fact that not only do institutions engaged in world class research, FBA FRSE AcSS we have one of the most beautiful medieval a step change in engagement with industry, Principal and campuses in Europe but one that is equipped and more effective collaboration with other Vice-Chancellor with the very best in modern facilities for institutions. We need to engage with all these teaching and learning. The University has agendas, but we can take confidence from the As Scotland’s third oldest university, and the recently made an unprecedented multi-million fact that these are all challenges that we have fifth most ancient in the UK, the University pound investment to provide our students set for ourselves in our new Strategic Plan and of Aberdeen has a long track record as a with some of the very best facilities you will which we are all focused on delivering. destination of choice for students from other find anywhere in the UK. These include an Olympic-standard sports village, one of the The question of charging fees to UK students parts of the UK. The fact that we attract a large largest wireless campuses in Europe, a state-of- from outside Scotland is perhaps a more proportion of our students from across the UK the-art medical teaching facility on Europe’s emotive one. It represents a very difficult and the rest of the world is part of what makes largest health campus and, just opened this choice both for governments and for the experience of studying at Aberdeen special autumn, our fantastic new £57m library. universities. However, maintaining a fee at the and one of the many reasons we are ranked as current level for students from the rest of the one of the world’s leading universities. That There is no doubt that both these recent UK was no longer an option. mix of students is extremely valuable to us changes in higher education policy bring new and we are committed to making sure that challenges for universities in Scotland and Aberdeen continues to be an option for those Aberdeen is no exception. But I also believe non-Scottish students who wish to enjoy the that with change comes opportunity and the benefits of a four-year Scottish degree. Aberdeen family should be assured that we are ■ That is why we have decided that non-Scottish well placed to take advantage of them. domicile students will pay no more than £27,000 for a four-year degree programme, which is equivalent to the fees for a three year degree in most other parts of the UK. There are also options for well-qualified students to complete a degree in three years should they wish to. We also offer an extensive range of bursaries and scholarships so that, regardless of their background, able students can benefit from all that Aberdeen has to offer – which we believe is an exceptional student experience. 3 VOICE ■ LIBRARY COMES TO LIFE Memories of hours spent in the It quickly became apparent that this library are likely to loom large when we new building would become an iconic recall our university days. new feature not only of King’s College Campus but also of the city of Aberdeen. But dusty shelves and books precariously balanced on cramped tables in dimly lit From the outset it was designed with corners are now as distant a memory for the wider community in mind and will current University of Aberdeen students provide a forum for the public, as well as as they are for the University’s alumni staff and students, to view the University’s community. extensive Special Collections. In September the first phase of our new The £57 million project is the largest state-of-the-art library opened, providing capital fundraising project yet undertaken a 21st century learning and research by the University and is being brought to environment for students, University staff, fruition as a result of generous support visitors and the public. from alumni and private donors around the world, from companies in many From a giant crater in the ground beside sectors of business, and from charitable the Fraser Noble and Meston buildings, trusts local and national. the University community has watched in eager anticipation as the enormous glass Conceived by Danish architects Schmidt fronted ‘cube’ started to rise. Hammer Lassen as a cube evoking the 4 FEATURES VOICE ice and light of the north, Chris credits the timely “THE RESPONSE TO STUDENT the sharp, modern design, transition to good THE NEW library HAS PERSPECTIVE: and striking interior of preparation. BEEN absolutely sweeping contours around “If you get your planning overwhelming Katherine Duncan, who an asymmetrical atrium AND IT HAS BEEN is studying for an MA are a far cry from the right and know your fantastic TO SEE THE in History, explains Queen Mother Library. dependencies – what must be done in order for BUILDING USED IN THE how the new library has For Chris Banks, the next thing to happen way that WE HAD ALL transformed the Aberdeen University Librarian – then you know how envisaged,” student experience. and Director of Library, things should pan out but “As a fourth-year history Special Collections and of course there is always student I spend more time Museums, overseeing a an element of worry and The striking new library in the library than in move of more than 26 there were a few sleepless has attracted huge interest lectures or seminars,” miles of books to the new nights.