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Maxwell Irvine, principal of Aberdeen University and one of about a dozen potential candidates for chief executive of the ÖйúAƬ Funding Council quoted by headhunters Spencer Stuart, has denied interest. He said: "Next year is the quincentenary of the University of Aberdeen. It is a time of worldwide celebration and of great importance to the university. My own commitment to the university over the quincentenary is total, and any speculation about employment elsewhere is without foundation."