RGU alumnus Ivor Ferguson gifts £10,000 to widen access to higher education

Mr Ferguson, who has had a long and successful career in the oil and gas industry in the UK and Australia, has established the Bill and Nancy Ferguson scholarship to honour his parents who were local entrepreneurs, as well as to give back to the university he studied at. Mr Ferguson credits his RGU education as being an important part of his path to having a successful career.

The Bill and Nancy Ferguson Entrepreneurial Access Scholarship at Aberdeen Business School will widen access to higher education by providing funding support for the duration of a four-year degree. The scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student who has been offered and accepted a place to study at RGU, and can demonstrate financial need, academic merit, motivation and ambition. The student will receive £2,000 per year as well as mentoring, pastoral care and study skills support.

Commenting on why he decided to give back to others through RGU, Mr Ferguson said: “Firstly, this is in honour of my parents. They worked hard all their lives as entrepreneurs in the north-east and founded 20 companies that employed over 10,000 people, and impacted thousands more. The positive impact and legacy their business ventures had on many lives is an inspiration to many and this RGU scholarship represents a personal opportunity to recognise and further my family’s business contributions, and those of RGU, towards Scottish Enterprise.

“Secondly, I have had the privilege of having had extraordinary career experiences over 40 years. Giving back my time and financial support to help others manifest similar experiences and succeed is one of the most fulfilling things I can do. 

“I did not do particularly well academically at school but fortunately, I was encouraged by one of the many mentors I have had, to pick up further education as a mature student in my thirties. RGU helped focus my direction and motivation towards a highly rewarding and fulfilling career. The university was also key to giving me the corporate and management knowledge and tools needed to thrive in this environment.”

Mr Ferguson graduated from RGU in 2001 with a MSc in management and also completed a BSc in electrical engineering at the university in 1995.

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice Chancellor at RGU, said: “For many students, receiving a scholarship is a life-changing situation which can support them to thrive in their studies and careers and we are thankful to Ivor for making this happen.

“At the heart of RGU is our commitment to widening access to our learning portfolio, and this generous donation will support us to do so.”

All access scholarships at RGU have been made possible by donations from alumni, business and Trusts and Foundations.

Please note this scholarship is no longer available.