News Archive
May 2008
Stirling joins USA scholarship programme
Stirling hosts revolutionary film festival
Hilltop runners conquer Stirling peak
Stirling designated as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence
Diana Rigg bows out at degree ceremonies
Stirling joins USA scholarship programme
Date released: Friday 2 May 2008
The University of Stirling is inviting United States graduates to study in Scotland as part of a new scholarship programme.
The ‘Scholarship Programme for US Graduates’ will offer any US national graduate the opportunity to study at a Scottish higher education institution for a year. The programme has been launched in association with the British Council’s Education UK Scotland programme and 17 universities and colleges. The 51 new scholarships are being made available to US nationals wishing to take a Masters course in Scotland for entry in autumn 2008, and the initiative will build on existing education links between the two nations. The USA is the third largest market for Scottish universities, with over three thousand US students studying in Scottish higher education institutions last year.
Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning said: “We want to encourage stronger links between Scotland and the US, for the benefit of both countries. There is absolutely no doubt that Scotland has a great deal to offer US students – a first-class education, a great quality of life, exciting cities and breathtaking countryside. I am positive the scholarships will be a rewarding experience for the students and leave a lasting impression of what Scotland has to offer.”
Interested candidates can download eligibility criteria and a scholarship application form from the official website or contact their chosen university in Scotland directly. The closing date for applications is 1 July, 2008, for courses starting in autumn 2008.
For further information on international postgraduate study at the University of Stirling, see the Student Recruitment and Admissions pages.
Stirling hosts revolutionary film festival
Date released: Friday 2 May 2008
Classic films on the theme of 'Revolutions’ are to be screened at the MacRobert in Stirling over the coming month, to coincide with the University of Stirling's 40th anniversary celebrations.
From 7 May to 1 June 2008, the MacRobert, with the support of the University’s School of Languages, Cultures and Religions, will be offering an opportunity to see a selection of films by revolutionary film-makers of the past four decades.
Film fans can see a variety of films encompassing many genres, nationalities and styles by directors including Fellini, Roeg, Visconti, Kiarostami, Loach and many more. All screenings are open to the general public, and some will be preceded by a brief introductory talk.
Professor Bill Marshall (SLCR, University of Stirling) will introduce Get Carter on 10 May, Dr Sarah Neely (Film, Media and Journalism, University of Stirling) will introduce Stella Does Tricks on 23 May, Dr Pedram Khosronoejad (University of St Andrews, Anthropology Dept) will introduce Five on 30 May and Lizelle Bisschoff (Director of the Africa in Motion film festival) will give a brief introduction to Night of Truth on 31 May.
Wed 7 May, 7.45pm: Amarcord (Fellini, 1973)
Fri 9 May, 8.15pm: The Killing of Sister George (Aldrich, 1968)
Sat 10 May, 5.15pm: Get Carter (Hodges, 1971)
Sun 11 May 5.15pm: Death in Venice (Visconti, 1971)
Wed 14 May, 7.30pm: Cabaret (Fosse, 1972)
Fri 16 May, 8.15pm: Performance (Roeg, 1970)
Sat 17 May, 5.15pm: Sans Soleil (Marker, 1982)
Sun 18 May, 8.15pm: Distant Voices, Still Lives (Davies, 1988)
Wed 21 May, 7.30pm: To Sleep With Anger (Burnett, 1990)
Fri 23 May, 5.15pm: Stella Does Tricks (Giedroyc, 1996)
Sat 24 May, 1.30pm: Kirikou et la sorcière (Ocelot, 1998)
Sun 25 May, 5.15pm: Fate (Demirkubuz, 2001)
Wed 28 May, 7.30pm: Badasssss! (van Peebles, 2004)
Fri 30 May, 8.15pm: Five (Kiarostami, 2004)
Sat 31 May, 8.15pm: Night of Truth/Nuit de la vérité (Nacro, 2005)
Sun 1 June, 5.15pm: Kes (Loach, 1969)
For further information, please see the MacRobert website, or email Dr Cristina Johnston of the School of Languages, Cultures and Religions.
Hilltop runners conquer Stirling peak
Date released: Thursday 8 May 2008
A glorious evening attracted 264 runners from all over Scotland to the 35th annual Dumyat Hill Race last night.
The gruelling but scenic contest, run from the University of Stirling to the top of the hill and back again, was won by Jethro Lennox of Shettleston Harriers, who led the field in a time of 34 minutes 8 seconds. He did just enough to beat Alistair Anthony, Ochil Hill Runners, who finished in 2nd place in a time of 34m 17s, while Tommy Owens, also from Shettleston, finished 3rd in a time of 35m 2s.
The women’s race was won by perennial champion and Stirling alumna Angela Mudge (Carnethy) in 37m 54s. After completing the race, Angela gave a short talk to the other runners about her recent experience of winning the Everest Marathon and breaking the world record. Second place was awarded to Elke Schmitdt from Bellahouston Harriers in 40m 17s, and Catriona Buchanan from Central Athletics, finished third in 42m 14s.
Stirling students came out on top to win the men’s and women’s Scottish Universities Hill Running Championships. Euan McCarthy, a postgraduate student in the Department of Sports Studies, finished in 35m 52s, in fifth place overall, while Andrea Priestly had a time of 42m 20s.
Dumyat Hill Race includes a climb of around 390 metres (1,280 feet) over the 8 km (5 miles) course. It was created when a university psychologist, propping up the Gannochy Bar, laid a £1 bet that “no member of the University could, without mechanical assistance, do the return trip from the Gannochy Pavilion to Dumyat in less than an hour.” On Graduation Day 1972 the £1 was lost by three minutes. The first “official” race was held in 1973 and it has been held annually on the first or second Wednesday in May ever since.
Historical note: Dumyat is pronounced dum-eye-at, being a contraction of Dun Myat, ie the fortress of the Maeatae, a Pictish group. The remains of the fort are near the summit.
Stirling designated as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence
Date released: Wednesday 15 May 2008
The University of Stirling has today been named as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
The First Minister, Alex Salmond, has announced that Stirling will be the centre of a national network of excellence, providing training and support for high performance athletes studying at universities and colleges across Scotland.
This recognition of Stirling as the ‘gathering place’ for sport gives the University an unrivalled platform to play a key role in delivering Scotland’s sporting future. Like some other countries, Scotland now has a university which is a designated national centre for sport.
Christine Hallett, Principal of the University of Stirling, said: “We are delighted that Stirling has been recognised as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, a move which will be the catalyst for developing a successful sporting future for Scotland.
“In creating a world class centre for sporting excellence here, the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council have recognised that Scotland can raise its profile by supporting athletes and sporting research.
“The additional funded places being allocated to the University of Stirling will add greater capacity to our International Sports Scholarship Scheme, and put Scotland’s talent on a world stage by combining sport with education.”
The Scottish Funding Council will allocate £600,000 to help create more flexible programmes to support student athletes in both their academic and sporting activities. Other universities and colleges that want to develop their ability to support elite athletes will be invited to join the network of sports universities and colleges.
John McClelland, Chair of the Funding Council, said that Scotland had a tradition of developing sporting excellence in its universities and colleges, commenting: “We saw a chance to build on Stirling’s unique position amongst the UK’s leading sports universities and create something special for Scotland.”
The Scottish Government has welcomed the announcement and Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “This announcement illustrates the Scottish Government's commitment to invest in sport at Scotland's universities and colleges.
“The University of Stirling is widely recognised as an institution that has sport very much at the heart of its identity, making it the ideal choice as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
“The network will give Scotland's home grown athletes a flexible range and choice of places to support both their sporting and academic aspirations, while helping attract the best athletes and staff to base themselves here.”
Communities and Sport Minister, Stewart Maxwell, added: "I am sure that this announcement today will enhance and complement the work already being done by the Scottish Institute of Sport, the high performance delivery arm of sportscotland, and the Area Institute network. All of this will ensure that our Scottish athletes are well prepared for not only the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games but particularly the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."
The University of Stirling has a suite of world-class facilities for sport including the National Swimming Academy and the National Tennis Centre. The Scottish Institute of Sport, Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Gymnastics, Tennis Scotland, Fitness Scotland, Triathlon Scotland and the Scottish Football Association Central Area are all accommodated within the Stirling campus.
Stirling was the first Scottish university to offer sports scholarships in 1981. There are currently 51 sports scholars in golf, swimming, tennis and triathlon, with a new scholarship programme for football next session. Former sports scholars include outstanding Scottish golfers Catriona Matthew and Richie Ramsay, while current students Todd Cooper and Andy Hunter will be in the GB swimming team at the Beijing Olympics, and Charlotte Henshaw at the Paralympics.
Diana Rigg bows out at degree ceremonies
Date released: Friday 17 May 2008
Scottish singer Eddi Reader and television presenter Kirsty Young will be among six leading personalities to receive honorary degrees from the University of Stirling in June.
Dame Diana Rigg will preside over the graduation ceremonies on 25 and 26 June for the final time as Chancellor before her ten-year term of office ends.
Eddi Reader achieved fame with the band Fairground Attraction, who had a UK number one with the single Perfect, and won best single and best album at the 1989 Brit Awards. Brought up in Glasgow, she started her music career as a session vocalist with the Eurythmics and Alison Moyet, and now has a solo career, writing her own material and focusing on the songs of Robert Burns.
Kirsty Young’s honorary doctorate recognises her outstanding contribution to television and radio broadcasting. Brought up and educated in Stirling, Kirsty began her journalistic career as a newsreader for BBC Radio Scotland before finding national fame in London as news anchor with Channel 5 in 1997. She is now presenter of Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, and also fronts the television programme, Crimewatch.
Also receiving awards are Baroness Ford (public sector reform), Baroness Stern (penal reform), George Reid (public affairs in Scotland) and Jonathan Mills (the arts).
Margaret Anne Ford spent her early career in local government and management consultancy and is a specialist in public sector reform. She served as a Director of the Scottish Prison Service, of Ofgem, as Chair of Lothian Health Board and as Chair of English Partnerships. She received a Life Peerage in 2006. She now works in investment banking but also chairs Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, working passionately to transform the economy of the Irvine Bay area.
Vivien Helen Stern has been the Convenor of the Scottish Consortium on Crime and Criminal Justice since 2003, working with leading organisations concerned with crime and criminal justice to ‘reduce the incidence and alleviate the impact of crime on our society.’ She received a Life Peerage in 1999 and has been a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights since 2004.
George Reid was recently appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and was Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament until his retirement in 2007. A journalist and television producer before being elected as MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974-79, he was public affairs director with the International Red Cross in Geneva, then returned to politics in 1999 as MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, and latterly for the Ochil constituency.
Jonathan Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival since October 2006, is recognised for his outstanding contribution to the arts. He is one of Australia’s most experienced festival directors and is an award-winning composer. A Bachelor of Music, he holds an MA in architecture and acoustic design, and his compositions include the Sandakan Threnody which won the Prix Italia in 2005.
The University of Stirling will stage four graduation ceremonies, on Wednesday 25 June and Thursday 26 June.
Subjects on the first day are: Management, Nursing and Midwifery, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and Sports Studies (10am); then Applied Social Science, Aquaculture, Marketing and Psychology (2.30pm).
The following day’s subjects are Education, English Studies, and Modern Languages, Cultures and Religions (10am); then Accounting and Finance, Computing Science and Mathematics, Economics, Film, Media and Journalism, History, Law, Philosophy and finally Politics (2.30pm).