Teasing Posters Sent To The Dean

Posters seeking student models are to be displayed to the Dean of Aberdeen Business School to decide whether or not they are exploitative.

The seductive poster advertising for models for a “professional photography project” have been posted on notice boards throughout Aberdeen Business School.

The posters were put on display without the knowledge of the University by a photographer who goes by the moniker Tor.

The posters are to be taken to the University’s Dean and the decision to take the posters down will be discussed.

Students are offered a free printed portfolio, exposure across the UK and EU and career opportunities in print, commercial, beauty and fashion modeling.

The poster suggests that some expenses will have to be paid to Tor.

Communications lecturer, Dr Sarah Peterson, who specialises in feminist issues, defended the photographer saying that the posters were a completely acceptable way of advertising for student models.

“He is a legitimate photographer, he has given a link to his website where he claims to be a member of the Royal Photographic Society and approach his work with utmost ethic, I don’t see anything wrong with the posters. How else would he be able to get models?”


By Saskia Leighton

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Young People Blossom Under New Scheme

Young people are turning their lives around thanks to a scheme run by Aberdeen City Council and a North-East charity for youth homelessness and unemployment.

The local authority joined forces with Aberdeen Foyer to offer seasonal gardening placements to out-of-work people instead of hiring agency staff.

Steven Shaw, environment manager at the city council, said the programme helped a number of long-term job-seekers get back on their feet last year and would be repeated again this summer.

Between 10 and 12 workers will be taken on by council maintenance teams on a short-term basis, with the opportunity to secure a full-time post.

Mr Shaw said: “The majority of the guys have been absolutely excellent and some have been recruited full-time. We take them full circle – a lot of these guys come from difficult backgrounds and we are able to help them get into a working environment.”

Ryan Cardosi is originally from Wick, but moved to Aberdeen in search of employment after spending more than a year fruitlessly looking for work. The 25-year-old, who now lives at Hardgate, Aberdeen, signed on with the Foyer programme, agreeing to work without pay for the first three months to gain experience.

He said: “I have lived in Wick all my life, but there were no jobs up there, it was a nightmare.”

“The first three months I was not getting paid, which was difficult – you feel like you are doing it for nothing. But it paid off in the end. Now I have a full-time job, I have my own place and just bought a car.”

Aberdeen Foyer executive director Leona McDermid said the scheme had a positive impact even for those who did not end up with a full-time job.

She said: “We are working with individuals who are furthest from the job market, who may have drug or alcohol issues, or who have issues around homelessness.

“This kind of scheme helps people move into a world that they would have really struggled to get into otherwise.

“It is good experience and people can develop what we call soft skills – things like turning up on time and interacting with colleagues – which many people take for granted"

By Marta Imizcoz

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Refusal To Accept Bonus: A Matter Of Principal

A North East university principal leading a radical review of higher education claimed he would refuse a bonus payment.


Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, was in charge of a review called by Education Secretary Mike Russell last year to look at the way the country’s top education institutions were managed.


The review, which has now been published, included recommendations to review principals pay and include representatives like students on the panels who decide how much the leading figures at universities should be paid.


He told the Scottish Parliament’s education committee that the issue of pay was something that “we have got to get a fix on.”


Professor von Prondzynski told the committee any bonus payments needed to be transparent, but said the review had not said they should be scrapped altogether.


But, in answer to a question from Labour member Neil Findlay, he said he had never received any extras as part of his salary.


He said: “In my entire career I have never received a bonus for anything.If I was offered, I would have refused it.”


The education secretary set up the panel last year after growing concerns over principals’ soaring pay and worries there was a lack of accountability in the institutions.


The proposals, which include electing the chairs of university courts of, featuring staff and students on renumeration committees and ensuring 40% of court members were female, were dubbed “radical” by Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith, but Professor von Prondzynski denied this.


By Marta Imizcoz

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Grampian Leads Way In Inspiring Olympics

An Aberdeenshire sports programme has been given the Olympic stamp of approval. 


The Grampian Leaders SportScotland programme has been awarded the Olympic Inspire Mark for Excellence. 


The programme runs coaching and enhanced training courses and volunteering opportunities across Aberdeenshire for 16 to 24 year olds.


There are currently 31 young people enrolled in the Grampian Leaders scheme. 


Active Schools co-ordinator for Aberdeenshire Susie McLarty said: “The programme aims to heavily invest time, effort and money into each participant. There is a clear expectation on each candidate that they commit to all elements of the Grampian Leaders programme. “ 


The Inspire scheme is run by the 2012 London Olympics organising committee and officially recognises accessible, inspiring and stimulating projects which engage young people using the values of the event. 


 By Adrian Lewis

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Sex Offender Jailed For 12 years

An Aberdeen man has been jailed for 12 years after admitting a string of sex offences against children.


Ewan McRae appeared at the High Court in Aberdeen where he pleaded guilty to prolonged abuse over several years.


The 41-year-old committed the offences against two children between 1997 and 2004.


Advocate Depute Andrew Stewart QC told the court one of McRae’s victims has been left feeling “suicidal” as a result of the abuse.


Defence Advocate David David Moggach QC told the court McRae had struggled to accept his guilt.


Mr Moggach said: “He has found it very difficult to acknowledge that he did these things and was capable of doing these things.“


But he accepts the significant impact this could have had on the victims.“He is under no misapprehension whatsoever that he has pleaded guilty to serious seriouscorr charges.”


Painter and decorator McRae was this afternoon jailed for 12 years by Lord Uist.


Lord Uist said: “You have pled guilty to a course of conduct over a period of years consisting of the most appalling and horrifying sexual abuse by instigating disgusting and depraved sexual conduct.


“When you committed these crimes, you obviously gave no thought to their well being and possible effect on them.


“Those who engage in sexual abuse of children or young people should note that when they are brought to justice at their day of reckoning, they will face lengthy prison sentences.”


By Adrian Lewis

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North-East Building Plans Should Extend Population

An Aberdeenshire councillor has welcomed Scottish Government backing of the blueprint for the future of the North-East.


Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay welcomed the decision by inspectors to pass Aberdeenshire Council’s local development plan – nearly a year after it was submitted for them to decide.


The Scottish Government's Directorate of Planning and Environment Appeals (DPEA) returned a 900-page report with recommendations on each area of the development.


Aberdeenshire Council is expected to formally adopt its new masterplan after the directorate for planning and environmental appeals agreed it, with only minor changes. 


It sets out plans for 20,000 homes across the region to be built over the next 20 years, including major developments for Inverurie, Ellon and Elsick, near Newtonhill.


A total of 25% of the homes would have to be classed as affordable, in a bid to help more people buy their own home. Employment land and schools also form part of the plan, including a £50 million new secondary school earmarked for Cromleybank, near Ellon. 


Ambitious Plans


Mr Mackay, who officially signed off Aberdeen City Council’s plan last month, said: “I am pleased that the examination into the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan is complete and I look forward to the council adopting this admirably concise plan. 


“The requirement for 25% affordable housing in new developments will help people who want to stay in or move to the area, while there are ambitious plans for new developments at Elsick and Cromleybank.






"This Plan sets out a vision for the area and is good for residents and businesses in Aberdeenshire.”


Reports from the DPEA, which held 10 local hearings into the proposals, considered a total of 161 issues, of which 60% required no changes and 25% needed minor modifications. 


The document now has to be signed off by a minister and formally adopted by the authority.

By James Johnstone

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Death Threats To Fast Food Owner Investigated

Death threats made against the owner of a fast-food outlet in Aberdeen are being investigated by the Police.



The boss of The Food Kingdom in George Street also reported that he had suffered racial abuse.



Chetan Aggarawal said he was terrified to discover “hate” messages on his website for his new business, which he launched this month.



Mr Aggarawal, 29, said a customer had informed him there was “rubbish” on the website, which he then checked on his mobile phone.

He said: “The message said ‘you’re going to die’.

“I was very scared of that.There were also hatred and anti-nationalism elements.

“It said India was rubbish and Pakistan was really good.”



Mr Aggarawal said his website had been hacked. He said he feared he was being targeted because he was offering “authentic” Indian cuisine.



He said: “It’s the wrong tactic. I just want to live in peace and harmony.

“I started this venture to generate jobs for the city.”



Mr Aggarawal, who moved to Aberdeen six years ago, said he had moved his website to a more secure server after the abuse was posted on the home page.



He added: “I’m just going to concentrate on my business.”



A spokesman for Grampian Police said the complaint had been passed to the authorities in India because the website was hosted in that country.

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