External Relations
The Stirling Funds
Spreading the word...... about our ambitions
The University has built its reputation on innovation and excellence and now, as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we have big ambitions for the future.
We want to maintain our place at the forefront of research and learning - to inspire, challenge and support motivated individuals who want to shape the world - and to play our part as Scotland moves forward in the 21st century with renewed confidence.
To achieve our ambitions and ensure that future generations benefit from what our University has to offer, we cannot afford to stand still.
A lasting feature of the Anniversary year will be the re-creation of the University Library which will transform the facility into a flexible, innovative and creative resource to meet the needs and aspirations of teaching, learning, research and the wider communities.
This is a £13.9m project and we have already committed £8.9m over the next three years. However, a further £5m is now being sought from friends, supporters and former students, as well as from Trusts and Foundations. Everyone, in fact, who has contributed towards making the University the great place it is today.
Spreading the word...... about our new library
The transformation will create a library that will be much more than a repository for books. It will support private study and group learning, provide a range of exciting educational resources and be a hub for modern communication technology.
The flagship project - the major development project for the University for the next three years - will create a modern learning and research environment that will help student realise their potential and support academic staff in their ground-breaking and international-quality research.
Not only will it support the whole University - integrating teaching and research with academic support services - the library will also serve the needs of the wider community.
It will embrace modern communication technology, whilst still respecting traditional methods of acquiring knowledge - and ensure that our historically important collections of rare books and manuscripts are brought to a wider audience.
New seminar rooms, fully equipped with audio-visual aids, will allow students, including those with disabilities, to interact with their peers in group study with special projects.
For example, the International Enterprise Zone will create a unique entrepreneurial environment, where like-minded individuals - across all disciplines - can access the latest information, explore the latest research, share knowledge and experience, and discuss common themes.
We asked you to share your memories of the library.... here is what Colin had to say:
“The best source for anecdotes from the early 1980s about the library must surely be the Library Comment Book. Mr Peacock, the Librarian, would respond (in his beautiful italic script) to serious and frivolous questions and comments with wit and erudition far above most of his correspondents. This provoked one student to ask: "Why is the Librarian such a smart-a*s?", to which the reply was, "Well, I suppose it is a case of...", with the remainder of the answer written in Greek!”
Colin, Accountancy, class of 1985.
We will also be encouraging our students and researchers to look back - to explore and learn from the University's historically significant collection of rare books, manuscripts and documents. Plans for our library will, therefore, provide for better environmental conditions for the collection, and better security - and a more comfortable working environment for researchers.
Spreading the word...... about our special collections
An assessment by the National Library of Scotland in 2007 identified aspects of our collection that were of local, national and international historical importance. It includes a complete set of Sir Walter Scott first editions, examples of the novels of Charles Dickens in their original serialised format and rare manuscripts relating to the history of the trade union movement in Scotland. Other specialist items include the personal archives of Lindsay Anderson and John Grierson CBE, two of the leading figures in British film-making during the 20th century.
Plans for the library will, therefore, provide for better environmental conditions for the collection, and better security - and a more comfortable working environment for researchers. We hope this will encourage new and existing donors to add to our holdings of nationally important artefacts.
“I invite you to consider making a contribution to the ongoing success of the University by supporting our ambitious plan to breathe new life into the University Library as a fitting tribute to the University’s 40th Anniversary, and as a demonstration of confidence in the future of higher education at Stirling.”
(Professor Christine Hallett, Principal & Vice-Chancellor)
Spreading the word...... about hardship and scholarships
Donations to support students will augment our hardship funds and allow us to help many more students who, through no fault of their own, are experiencing real financial hardship and are in danger of giving up their course of study.
Stirling is proud of its tradition of welcoming students regardless of their financial position. Scholarships can be aimed at good students from less advantaged backgrounds whose families are unable to support them through University. Alternatively scholarships can be awarded to students who achieve, and sustain, excellence in their chosen subject. Your contribution to this fund is immeasurable.
Unspecified gifts (you will allow us to choose where to direct your gift)
You are happy to leave the decision with the University.
Every donation, no matter how small, will make an impact and you choose where your gift is to be directed.
For further information please contact:
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Khlayre Mullin |
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Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 466675 |
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Fax: + 44 (0) 1786 463000 |
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Email: k.l.mullin@stir.ac.uk |
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Web: www.externalrelations.stir.ac.uk |
