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The University of Dundee has played a significant part
in all of this and will continue to push at the boundaries
of science and technology. For example, the new
"post genome research centre" will group state of the
art technologies designed to exploit the full potential of
the vast quantities of genome data, the Queen
Mother’s Centenary Research Centre which is now
being planned will develop new technologies to
support older and disabled people in their own homes
and AMCET Ltd, a university spin out company, has
the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of
silicon chips.
Discovery, responsible science and enterprise will
continue to thrive in Dundee.
These 21st century landmarks are important in their
own right but they also highlight the resilience of the
University and its ability to adapt to a world which is
changing faster than at any other time in history.
Despite such pressures, the traditional values of
scholarship and learning remain at the heart of the
university. We continue to provide an excellent range
of graduate and postgraduate courses for students in
arts and social sciences, engineering and art and
design. And we continue to prepare excellent students
from a wide range of backgrounds for professional
careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, law and
accountancy. We also look forward to developing a
new faculty of education and social work following the
merger with Northern College - preparing teachers
to work in our schools and establishing new education
and learning technologies as an engine for change in
the University. We fully support the aim of widening
access to higher education and we are proud of our
Summer School and ASPIRE programmes.
Professionalism in teaching, scholarship and pure and
applied research will continue to thrive in Dundee.
The City of Dundee is progressive and self-confident
and the theme of discovery binds its people and their
two universities together in a very powerful way. With
unfailing support from local councils and Scottish
Enterprise Tayside, the University has a key role in the
economic, social and cultural development of the city
and surrounding area. But we must also continue to
play our part in Scotland and internationally - working
in partnership with other universities and
St Andrews in particular to improve our performance
through better recruitment, new degrees, greater
research coverage and modern approaches to
technology transfer and commercialisation.
Strong relationships with local people and effective
partnership working will continue to thrive in Dundee.
As a relative newcomer to Dundee, I am conscious of
the honour of being Principal and Vice Chancellor and
the responsibility of leading the University at such an
important point in its history. I pay tribute to my
predecessor, Dr Ian Graham-Bryce CBE for his
positive stewardship of the University and to every
single student and member of staff for the part they
play in making Dundee a thriving community of
learning. I look forward to the future with enthusiasm
and confidence.
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