Principal's Column

As the 2005/6 academic year draws to a close we can reflect on a number of important successes, moments of sadness and the challenges which lie ahead.

Life Sciences & Medicine have seen some major new developments building on their joint expertise including: the completion of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and the opening of the £13m Drug Discovery Centre devoted to tackling neglected tropical diseases; the selection of Dundee as the hub of the world's first Translational Medicine Research Collaboration in a £50m Scotland-wide deal with US pharmaceuticals giant Wyeth; and the development of the Clinical Research Centre at Ninewells - all contributing to an integrated network of scientific, health service and economic development activity which will lead to improvements in health and healthcare. Substantial research grants and scientific breakthroughs have also enhanced Dundee's international reputation over the year, further boosted by the Queen's Anniversary Prize 2005 for the activities of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy.

In Nursing the research base continues to develop and we are pleased to have the new undergraduate curriculum and an unique postgraduate certificate in midwifery approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Dentistry is coping well with its biggest intake of students, and the opening of the postgraduate dental education centre. The success of IDMos Dundee's spin out dental diseases detection company was recognised in the Scottish Life Sciences Awards.

A series of new appointments, promotions and programmes has invigorated Arts & Social Sciences where the pursuit of new partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations will underpin future developments. A lively and diverse programme of activities over the year ranged from the introduction of new programmes in film studies, writing culture and philosophy, through the development of Dundee University Press to the introduction of a dozen new PhD scholarships strengthening the research base.

Education & Social Work took a lead in learning technology with the launch of The Learning Exchange - the world's first interactive library of digital learning resources for social work education. A strong education initiative to help improve attainment and leadership at a number of Dundee schools has been welcomed and the scope for improved integration with other disciplines will widen with the move to the new facilities at the city campus in 2007.

Law and Accountancy have enhanced their research capability with a significant number of new professorial appointments and face the future with confidence. The Master of Accountancy programme achieved recognition by ESRC; CEPMLP continued to attract the highest calibre international postgraduates for its specialist programmes and the Centre for Water Law and Policy was awarded UNESCO status - the first UNESCO centre in the UK, and the first in the world dedicated to water law.

Duncan of Jordanstone has continued to build on its research portfolio, attracting some substantial grants from the AHRC and elsewhere. The DJCAD reputation for excellence was further enhanced with another Scottish Arts Council Creative Scotland Award and the featuring of six alumni in the prestigious Tate Triennial Exhibition. This year's stunning Degree Show continues to inspire with its creativity and innovation.

Engineering & Physical Sciences have celebrated the opening of the Queen Mother Building - an architectural landmark and an excellent new facility for the development of computing. Progress on the development of the Institute for Medical Science and Technology continues with its promise of a first class interface combining cutting edge science and medicine; and civil engineering this year won the largest grant in the history of the division - a £1.3m research programme on sustainability.

All of these successes (and many more) result from the excellence, enthusiasm and hard work of staff and students. It is important to acknowledge that these same people have lives beyond the University and to take a moment to remember friends and colleagues who have had to deal with illness, family bereavement and personal tragedy in the course of the past year.

Looking ahead, the challenge for the University is to build on recent successes in a rapidly changing, competitive environment with pressure on finance across the higher education sector. The new academic management structure will reinforce our commitment to excellence in research and learning and teaching. It will promote continued integration in life sciences and medicine - "working from the cell to the community". It will give clearer definition and authority to the professional disciplines and it will energise the general arts, sciences and visual disciplines as the creative hub of the University. This may be a testing time, but it is also a period when the University will evolve, building on its many successes and moving forward to the next stages of its development.

Finally, I take this opportunity to welcome Lord Patel as our distinguished new Chancellor, to thank all staff and students for their contributions to the life and work of the University and to wish everyone a happy time at our forthcoming graduations. I look forward to 2006/7 and all that lies ahead with enthusiasm and a real determination to maintain the momentum of the University.

Alan Langlands
June 2006