The University has launched its 50th anniversary celebrations with ceremonies at its Canterbury and Medway campuses.
The ceremonies, which took place at Canterbury on 1 October and at Medway on 2 October, marked the beginning of a year-long programme of special projects and events across the institution, including at the University’s postgraduate centres in Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome.
These include:
- Innovative projects designed to shape the University’s direction over the next 50 years;
- A series of inspiring lectures by University staff;
- Student led history projects to showcase the University’s first 50 years;
- A community open day at Canterbury in March 2015;
- A public debate about Europe, hosted by the University’s Chancellor, Gavin Esler;
- An alumni reunion weekend in September 2015.
The centrepiece of the celebrations is a 33m tall Ferris wheel at the Canterbury campus. Open from 24 September until 19 October, the ‘Kent Wheel’ will provide students, staff and visitors to the campus with a rare opportunity to view Canterbury and its surroundings from a bird’s eye point of view. The Kent Wheel will return to the campus again from 1 July to 15 October 2015. Further information on the Kent Wheel is available at http://www.kent.ac.uk/50/
By the end of its 50th year, the University aims to have raised £1 million for the Kent Opportunity Fund which supports students working through financial hardship, scholarships and extra-curricular activities.
For more information contact 50years@kent.ac.uk