Robert Gordon University

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**The Robert Gordon University**

Motto	To inspire and enable the transformation of individuals, economies and societies
Established	1992
Type	Public university
Chancellor	Sir Ian Wood
Principal	Professor Mike Pittilo
Students	9,000
Location	Aberdeen, Scotland
Affiliations	New university
Website	http://www.rgu.ac.uk/

The Robert Gordon University (often known as RGU) is a modern University located in Aberdeen, Scotland, with an emphasis on providing high quality higher education and research from undergraduate to doctorate level.

1 History
2 Statistics
3 Structure
4 Facilities
5 Mission & Vision
6 External links

[edit] History

In 1720 Robert Gordon (1668–1731) retired to Aberdeen. He had amassed a considerable fortune yet he is believed to have had a 'frugal' retirement. On his death 11 years later he willed his entire estate to build a residential school for educating young boys. In the summer of 1750 the Robert Gordon's Hospital was born. In 1881 this was converted into a day school to be known as Robert Gordon's College. About the same time Mr John Gray offered to provide a school of science and art upon condition that the Governors named it Gray's School of Science and Art. And in 1903 the then Scotch Education Department designated the vocational courses work of the college as a Central Institution.

The name Robert Gordon's Institute of Technology, or RGIT as it was popularly known, was adopted in 1965 to reflect the continuing advancement in the level of the teaching work and the new role as a centre of excellence in the non university sector of higher education.

In 1991 the name changed again, to The Robert Gordon University. RGU was one of the largest Central Institutions in Scotland with probably the greatest breadth of courses. In 1992 RGU was awarded university status and the first Chancellor, Sir Robert Reid, was installed. It was an achievement that the local community celebrated with great pride.

Robert Gordon's mercantile adventures founded a strong and remarkably modern belief that his investment in the education of his townsfolk would equip them with the skills and knowledge to strengthen their success in Europe and further afield.

Today, more than 260 years after his death, the University which bears his name remains true to his spirit and enterprise. The city of Aberdeen is also home to the University of Aberdeen. The two Universities based in Aberdeen discussed a merger in 2002 but they decided to maintain their independence.

[edit] Statistics

There are approximately 9,000 students studying over 145 full-time, part-time and sandwich courses at undergraduate, post-experience and postgraduate levels. In addition RGU is the top university in the UK for graduate employment. In 2002 98.1% of RGU students were in employment or further study six months after graduation. (Source: HESA First Destination statistic 2002, published 2003)

As well as full-time and part-time on campus study, the University provides a complete range of distance learning facilities over the internet via its Virtual Campus, with over 8000 students from 113 countries studying online for a wide range of courses.

Robert Gordon's currently ranks 3 in the United Kingdom for excellence in further education (according to Guardian newspaper 2/06)

[edit] Structure

The academic activities of the University are divided into three faculties each with constituent Schools or cognate departments:

Faculty of Design and Technology
- Gray's School of Art
- The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and The Built Environment
- School of Computing
- School of Engineering

Faculty of Health and Social Care
- School of Applied Social Studies
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Pharmacy

Aberdeen Business School
- Human Resources Management
- Hotel, Tourism and Retail Management
- Communications and Languages
- Information Management
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Marketing
- Economics and Public Policy
- Law

[edit] Facilities

The Garthdee campus just outside the city centre has seen spending of over £60 million in recent years with two new buildings housing the Aberdeen Business School and the Faculty of Health and Social Care. The buildings were designed by renowned architect Sir Norman Foster. The Garthdee campus is also the site of a new state-of-the-art Sports Centre which opened in February 2005.

The Schoolhill campus, based in the city centre, is housed in more traditional surroundings, within some of the city’s famous granite buildings. Over the next 10 years RGU is planning to move all of its Schoolhill Campus out to Garthdee.

Students from The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and The Built Environment, RGU Garthdee Campus, run a highly successful lecture series which is known as 5710, where world renowned architects from the UK and abroad are invited to lecture on Thursday evenings.

[edit] Mission & Vision

The University's Mission statement is, "To inspire and enable the transformation of individuals, economies and societies.", and the vision of the University is, "To be internationally recognised for excellence in professional education and applied research."