Digests

Water
Dr Patricia Wouters of the international water law research institute will be the keynote speaker at two international conferences this summer. The first of these is in Vancouver in May and the second is in Colorado school of law in June entitled "allocating and managing water for a sustainable future: lessons from around the world". Her talks will focus on the role of international law in promoting peace, poverty eradication and water security.

Photographs
Can you take an outstanding photograph or create an image that brings science or medicine to life? The winning image for the 2002 Visions of Science awards will be displayed around Britain and published in The Daily Telegraph. Closing date 31 May. Cash prizes are also to be awarded. Full details at www.visions-of-science.co.uk.

Conference
Professors Roland Wolf and Elaine Rankin addressed the Scottish parliament's cancer conference this month. Scotland against cancer - making a reality of the cancer plan - was hosted by the parliament's cross-party group to identify areas where inequalities exist in the provision of cancer care and to campaign for their improvement.

Engineering
The annual Dutech challenge day hosted by the electronic engineering and physics division and the mechanical engineering division will see senior pupils from local schools gather at the University to complete a one day engineering challenge in June. The pupils will be asked to design a product - to be revealed on the day - with a set of basic materials. The school teams will also be asked to consider the marketing of their product.

Marathon
PhD student Elizabeth Berry and research fellow Mohamed El Haram, both from the Construction Management Research Unit, are running the London Marathon in aid of blind and visually impaired children. The duo are hoping to raise more than £1500 for VICTA, Visually Impaired Children Taking Action.

Walk
Members of the cardiac rehabilitation exercise class at the institute of sport and exercise took part in a two mile sponsored walk to raise funds for the cardiac rehabilitation department at Ninewells and the Ninewells cancer campaign. Sixty-eight people, many of whom have been affected by both heart disease and cancer walked two miles around campus and raised around £2000 for the charities to show their appreciation of the treatment they received at Ninewells.

Kids
This summer children's sports programme runs from Monday 1 July to Friday 9 August. Applications will be available from the institute of sport and exercise from 27 May. For more information contact: h.c.bell@dundee.ac.uk

Chaplains
University Court has approved honorary unpaid appointments for the following chaplains to serve the community for three years beginning this month: Rev Aldo Angelosanto, Catholic chaplain; Rev Ashley Cummins, Anglican chaplain; Rev Jim Clarke, Baptist chaplain; Rev David Firth, Methodist chaplain; Rev Maudeen MacDougall, Church of Scotland chaplain; Rev Alastair Keddie, Congregational chaplain; Rev David Robertson, Free Church of Scotland chaplain. In addition to the full time chaplain Rev Fiona Douglas who is non-denominational, the University has the services of an Orthodox Archimandrite and a Jewish Rabbi.

TICR
The TICR fundraising campaign is gaining momentum with director of the cardiovascular epidemiology unit Professor Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe running the London marathon and a trolley dash at Sainsbury's recently raising over £1,200. The campaign's total now stands at £750,000 and the team has another two years to raise the target sum of £3.5 million. The University's Carnegie grant of £27,000 will be given to TICR this year. Fund raising efforts are steadily mounting up with a recent quiz night raising £650 and Sainsbury's - who have adopted TICR as one of their official charities donating £700 through their "penny for a poly bag scheme". TICR is currently applying for grants and is planning a gala 10K marathon in Dunkeld this September.

Advisors
The applied computing department has appointed two new advisors to its industrial advisory board. Clive Palmer of Scottish Enterprise Tayside joins Sean Gordon, Senior Consultant in Microsoft Consulting Services as the latest member of the board. Both men will add to the expertise on the board which advises the department on skills that industry requires so that lectures can pass on these expectations to students. The advisory board ensures that courses in the department contain enough industrial relevance preparing graduates for jobs in industry.

Plato
The centre for enterprise management launched the first Plato scheme in the UK at the University last month. The centre will facilitate the scheme which partners small to medium sized companies with large firms for advice and networking purposes. The two parent companies involved in Dundee are Michelin and NCR. Plato has been highly successful in fuelling the booming Irish economy and it is hoped it will have similar results in Scotland. The centre plans to role out the scheme to other parts of Scotland if it succeeds in Dundee.

Retiral
Jim Barr, foreman electrician in estates and buildings will retire in May after 41 years of service to the University. Jim was originally on loan from his employer to the University in 1961 for six weeks but ended up staying for two years before being contracted for another 39. A retirement ceremony will be held in DUSA at 4pm on Friday 17 May to which all are welcome.

Wine
Thanks to all those who have noted interest in the fine wine club. The first introductory case will be on offer in the June edition of Contact. If you still wish to indicate interest in the fine wine club email wine@dundee.ac.uk.

Chamber
The University has taken out corporate membership of the Chamber of Commerce. Principal Sir Alan Langlands said: "This underlines the University's involvement as a major player in the local economy and our commitment to the local business community."

Racing
Fans of Formula 1 motor racing are invited to register their interest in a new club - F1 Dundee. The club is open to all and aims to arrange big screen viewing of Formula 1 race weekends, some visits to races and other social events. Interested? Email your contact details to j.r.d.blicharski@dundee.ac.uk

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