Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

University teams up with Aberdeen FC to encourage more youngsters into higher education

Dons star Gary Mackay Steven at Tullos Primary School
Dons star Gary Mackay Steven at Tullos Primary School

Aberdeen University has formed a striking partnership with The Dons aimed at helping children score high marks and move onto higher education.

The two north-east institutions have forged a new bond in an attempt to strengthen the university’s links with local schools.

Staff from the 15th century learning establishment will work with the Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT), a charity attached to the club, in communities throughout the north-east to inspire pupils to consider going to university.

AFCCT already runs an initiative whereby Dons representatives visit primary and secondary schools and carry out activities designed to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds thrive.

Yesterday star winger Gary Mackay-Steven took part in one such visit to Tullos Primary School in Torry to celebrate the launch of the partnership.

Experts from the university’s Business School will now join in on such expeditions, and use Aberdeen FC as an example to help football-mad youngsters comprehend how business, numeracy and economic knowledge is essential to the successful running of a sporting outfit.


>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter


And campus visits will be held to demonstrate that higher education “is open to all”.

Steven Sweeney, from AFCCT, said: “This collaboration will add significant value to our collective efforts, but more importantly create meaningful opportunities for people in the communities which we are proud to serve.”

Aberdeen FC commercial director, Rob Wicks, said the club will also work with the university to measure the results of a new mental health initiative.

The university and AFCCT are exploring other options to work together such as placement opportunities for students, opportunities for Aberdeen FC staff to develop their skills, online and personal finance training for young footballers through the AFC Youth Academy, and potential coaching support for the university’s football teams.

University principal George Boyne has made it his mission to attract youngsters from poorer families into studying.

He said: “As two local institutions with long and proud histories, I am delighted that the university is working with Aberdeen FC to promote participation in higher education.

“Widening access is a top priority and, through this partnership, we will benefit from the excellent relationship that the Aberdeen FC Community Trust has built with local schools.

“That will help us engage with pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and send the message that a University of Aberdeen education is open to all.”