The University is launching its 50th anniversary celebrations with ceremonies at its Canterbury and Medway campuses.
The ceremonies, which will take place at Canterbury on 1 October and at Medway on 2 October, will mark 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 will be 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.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander said: ‘After considerable planning and consultation we will launch our anniversary celebrations with what we hope will be memorable ceremonies at our Canterbury and Medway campuses.
‘The University’s anniversary activities over the next year will also give everyone the opportunity to be involved in and reflect on Kent’s many successes and achievements over the past fifty years, as well as contribute to the course and direction of the next fifty.’
For more information contact 50years@kent.ac.uk