1997-1998 Annual Report

Annual Report

Sharing our Knowledge


Locally
A well-established University is an asset to its local community in many ways that are not immediately apparent. Here are some examples of how this University is currently fulfilling its mission in this role.

Quality of Medical, Dental and Nursing Care
Through its medical, dental and nursing schools exceptionally high levels of primary health care, including some new forms of treatment, are available to the local community. However, not infrequently the media credits 'Ninewells Hospital' with breakthroughs in tackling major diseases, which is vexing, but is an indirect compliment to the Medical School's seamless integration with one of the largest teaching hospitals within Europe.

Golden Age for Arts and Science in Dundee
The University is playing a vital part in the renaissance of the city.

· It was one of the prime movers in getting the £8 million Contemporary Arts Centre off the ground.

· Over 170 major works of Scottish art have been bequested by the Scottish Arts Council to form the basis of the fine art archive in the University's visual arts research centre within the new Contemporary Arts Centre.

· The University played a key role in an exciting initiative to explore how a city such as Dundee could work towards integrating science and art.

· The creation of the new Science Centre, to be located alongside the Contemporary Arts Centre, can be seen as a tribute to the University's international reputation in life sciences and engineering and its impact on job creation in the city.

· The University's museum collection went on public display for the first time in one of the city's museums. The 10,000 item collection contains specimens of natural history, fine art and scientific instruments. The main feature of this exhibition was the natural history artefacts collected by Professor Sir D'Arcy Thompson.

Nineteenth Century Dundee Re-visited
A research team led by Professor Christopher Whatley, Head of the Department of History, is taking a fresh look at 19th century Dundee. Aspects examined will include civic pride, architecture and the impact of intellectuals. The results will be published in a single volume study of Dundee from 1820 to 1914.

Tay Estuary Forum
The University took the initiative in bringing together delegates from public agencies, local authorities, universities and voluntary organisations which led to the setting up of the Tay Estuary Forum to promote the wise and sustainable use of the Tay. A number of key organisations have pledged substantial commitments of support both financial and in kind.

Dundee by Design Awards
These awards are one aspect of a wider initiative to build on the city's already considerable reputation in the design field, largely due to the reputation of the Faculty of Duncan of Jordanstone College, and to encourage even more companies and organisations to make use of design for maximum impact in the marketplace.

The School of Design hosted a seminar to help local firms to use design skills to increase their turnover and profits.

Funfit
Having made Dundee's senior citizens among the most fitness-conscious in the UK the Department of Physical Education has turned its attention to the 'couch potato' generation. The result is the Funfit Club, a structured physical activity programme for ages 3 to 15.

Healthy Eating
The Centre for Applied Nutrition Research, bringing together specialists from medical, behavioural, biological and nutritional backgrounds, is helping Dundee City Council to provide a range of healthier school meals. Three secondary, six primary and two nursery schools are involved in the pilot study.

Internationally
Hosting conferences and training events attracting participants from around the world is a good measure of a University's reputation. Here is a round-up of some of the major events held at the University over the last year.

· Alzheimer's Disease
· Skin and oral cancers
· Biomathematics - the application of mathematics to the understanding and prediction of medical and biological processes and diseases
· Gynaecology
· Banking security - cash and document handling, automatic teller machines and customer safety
· Child abuse - international training event on developing forensic interview practice
· Petroleum law - two weeks of seminars for Russian petroleum officials
· Biochemical conference

University of Dundee Homepage | Annual Report Homepage

Disclaimer & Copyright

Produced from Printed Version
Comments to i.m.gerrie@dundee.ac.uk