Edinburgh Napier name change completed

In a bid to attract students and investment, Edinburgh Napier University officially changed its name last week with the addition of the city's name to the full title.

The finishing touches were put in place when campus signs, business cards and the website were all equipped with the new look.

In an e-mail to students, Principal Joan Stringer expressed her delight for the name change and announced the process will be continuously phased in over the summer.

She said: “Adding Edinburgh to the Napier University name will enable us to capitalise on our location in Scotland’s beautiful capital city, and will help raise the university’s profile in the UK and overseas with students, businesses, partner institutions and key stakeholders.”

University research has previously found that amongst 1,000 students across Scotland, England, and Wales, only one third knew that Napier was located in Edinburgh.

The process, which started in early 2007, has cost an estimated half a million pounds and has not remained free of student criticism. Alisdair Hodgson, a first year photography student, said that the university’s funds could have been allocated differently: “I feel that the money could have been better spent, but overall it’s not a terrible change. I don’t mind the new logo.”

In their initial research the university examined 200 responses from students, of whom 83 percent declared themeselves against the name change.

Nonetheless university officials maintain that the name change is an investment in the future of the institution.

Louise MacDonald, Director of Policy & Communications, said: “The launch of Edinburgh Napier University was a success and we are extremely grateful to the many students who worked with us in the development of the new visual identity and the launch itself.”