The secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, addressing the council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities in Aberdeen, highlighted the work being done to encourage women to play a fuller role in higher education management.
But James Wyness, Lord Provost of Aberdeen, apparently had his doubts about how effective this strategy had been, and in his welcome remarks warned the delegates that the city's shopping centres were not cheap, and that they should avoid letting their wives loose with their chequebooks.