The Royal Bank of Scotland will make a double donation to students at the University of Glasgow this Thursday. Fifteen current students, who successfully completed Access courses, will be awarded Bursaries, whilst future students will benefit from a £25k donation to the Donald Dewar Memorial Appeal.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has given £240,000 in funding which will help 15 students this year plus another 15 each year over the next 3 intake years. This is in addition to the £100,000 already committed by the Royal Bank to the GOALS summer schools.

Benny Higgins, Chief Executive, Retail Banking for The Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "Our support for the access bursaries is part of our long term commitment to education and to social inclusion. The Royal Bank recognises that financial and social factors can prevent many young people from fulfilling their educational potential and that the best and brightest come from all sections of the community."

Welcoming the donations, Principal, Professor Sir Graeme Davies said: "The Royal Bank of Scotland has awarded these bursaries to mark the achievements of students who have entered the University of Glasgow via access courses. We have long been committed to widening access and are delighted to have the support of the Royal Bank of Scotland. These bursaries will certainly make a difference to the students who have worked extremely hard to get here through non-traditional routes."

The announcement of a £25k donation to the Donald Dewar Memorial Appeal will be made at the award ceremony. The campaign to raise funds for the Donald Dewar Memorial Chair of Social Justice was launched in June 2001 and is ongoing. £225k has so far been donated.

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Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The award ceremony will take place on Thursday 8th November from 12noon-2pm in the Senate Room of the University's Main Building.

Graduates who receive a bursary have been guaranteed a job interview with the Royal Bank of Scotland. They will also be given the opportunity to apply for casual work during University holidays.

The Chief Executive, Retail Banking for The Royal Bank of Scotland, will present the bursaries to the award holders.

For further information contact Sarah Barclay, Royal Bank of Scotland Media Relations Manager, 0131 523 5659 or the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535

First published: 8 November 2001