Students from under-represented and minority groups are to benefit from a Centre being launched today (Friday, October 8), at the University of Aberdeen.
The University has a long history of commitment to lifelong learning and the Centre for Lifelong Learning (formerly known as Key Learning Opportunities) will be responsible for the promotion of wider access to Higher Education through the provision of innovative, student-centred, learning opportunities.
The Centre aims to increase opportunity and improve participation in higher education by students from under-represented groups, including those from low participation schools and neighbourhoods, mature students, part-time and geographically remote students, students with disabilities and students from ethnic and other minorities.
Dr Graeme Roberts, Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, will provide a welcome to 140+ guests attending a Reception at the University's Elphinstone Hall to celebrate the launch of the Centre for Lifelong Learning from 12 noon till 2.00pm.
Aberdeen Central MSP Lewis Macdonald will welcome the new Centre, which he says is a very positive response to some of the key issues facing Scotland today.
He said: "Lifelong learning is vital to Scotland's future. This is nowhere more striking than in Aberdeen, where we see very clearly the need to ensure that everyone who wants to work has the skills they need to do so. Many of the people I represent will welcome this very tangible evidence of the University's commitment to improving access to higher education."
Julie McAndrews, Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning will give an overview of the Centre's aims and objectives and will launch the new website. Ms McAndrews is delighted to be heading up the Centre and speaking at the launch, she said: "We are excited at the challenges that lie ahead with lifelong learning and social inclusion. I'd like to thank the University for the commitment it is showing to widening participation, lifelong learning and social inclusion.
"I would also like to pay particular thanks to the hard work provided by the team at the Centre whose hard work and dedication to our learners is crucial to the success of the programmes and the students."
The invited guests from across the UK, with a vested interest in higher education, will then have the opportunity to view stands and network. Various representatives from the University's senior management team, including Vice-Principals, Heads of Colleges, and Heads of Schools will also be attending.
The Centre works closely with the Schools and Colleges within the University. Through collaborative partnerships with external organisations, the Centre is responsible for taking forward the University's aims in relation to widening participation by providing flexible learning programmes that meet student needs in terms of content, flexible access, participation and retention and progression. It also enables delivery of part-time courses and academic programmes, including student recruitment, support, guidance and monitoring, collection and analysis of this information to inform strategic planning.
The Centre also supports the academic community through the provision of a resource centre for generic advice and materials, developing generic courses and working with academic partners to develop specific requirements. Improving communication with all other areas of the University community
The Centre's activities include a long-established commitment to widening access and participation, with a demonstrated history of outreach activity in North-East Scotland and the Highlands and Islands, covering approximately 40 local study centres. It also provides good, collaborative partnerships and links with a full spectrum of agencies across the sector including schools, Local Education Authorities, Further Education Colleges, Community Education and Voluntary organisations
The Centre provides courses for part-time and distance students, or those who may otherwise be prevented from returning to education due to various reasons, for example, distance, work or family commitments.
Last week the University celebrated a record performance in the national Performance Indicators for Higher Education. The figures released by HESA, the Higher Education Statistics Agency, reflected the University's success in simultaneously improving student success and increasing participation from under-represented groups.
The results demonstrate the University's success in many areas. For example, the improvement in widening access highlights the success of initiatives such as the Summer School for Access, which helps put disadvantaged students on the fast-track into higher education, and the AIM 4 Uni scheme, which supports senior school pupils in their transition from school to university.
For further information, contact: Julie McAndrews, Centre for Lifelong Learning, tel: (01224) 272784 / 274116 (work), or 07789 926949 (mobile) or email: j.mcandrews@abdn.ac.uk