University of Dundee: GC Magazine 2001

Discovery Year
This year Dundee celebrates the centenary of the launch of the Royal Research Ship Discovery which took Scott and his party of explorers on their famous trip to the Antarctic. Throughout the year the Discovery theme will be highlighted in a range of events including lectures -including one from present day explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes; visits from NASA officials and astronauts; a Gala Dinner address on scientific discovery by the University's Professor Sir David Lane who discovered the anti-cancer gene P53; concerts, a ball, competitions, golf… and a parade of sail on the River Tay. Make this the year you return to Dundee and your university. See the full programme of events at www.rrsdiscovery.com

Nepal
A "bio-fence" to discourage migrating elephants from going through local villages was one of the projects involving Dundee students on an expedition to Nepal last year. The six students, sponsored by the GC Fund, spent five weeks in Prakashpur, a small village in south east Nepal, near the Indian border working on development projects including the "bio-fence" on the border of a wildlife reserve. Medical student Andrew Bowles reports: "The idea was that a 'fence' made from consecutive layers of different plants would detour migrating elephant and water buffalo around the local villages." In a second project the volunteers constructed two schoolrooms and held classes for local children and villagers on subjects including art, first aid and basic sanitation. Andrews colleagues were Julia Alexander and Mandy Gerry, both social work; Lesley Andrew, textile design; and Aidan Williams and David Blane, both medicine

Deaths
We regret to record the deaths of the following alumni and staff. Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends.

Alumni

Lloyd Andrew Beat (36) Dundee, MA economics and politics 1986. Investment banker and former Dundee Conservative Party council candidate.

John Bochsler, philosophy MA 1991

Ron Bonar (60) Dundee; honorary LLD 1996. Philanthropist and prime mover in founding the White Top Centre for the disabled.

Gerry Butchart (72) Carnoustie, graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College in drawing and painting. Illustrator and art teacher.

Craig Coutts (44) Broughty Ferry, graduated MA and LLB. Dundee solicitor

Brigadier Helen Meechie CBE (62) Dundee; honorary LLD 1986. Became highest ranking woman serving with the British Army.

Ian Swan (49) Dundee, graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College. A gifted sculptor, artist and teacher.

Professor Isobel White (90), London graduated 1930 MA history and English. Pioneering and lifelong contribution to management including the introduction of procedures improving the working environment. (Featured in GC 1996 and 1999.)

Staff
Professor Salim Kemal (52) head of the department of philosophy.

Alan Woods (43) art historian for over ten years from the late 1980s at the school of fine art at Duncan of Jordanstone College.

Online
A new online academic journal was published under the editorship of University of Dundee's Dr Cameron Ross of the politics department. With an impressive advisory board drawn from across the world, "Perspectives on European Politics" provides a new forum on the internet for intra-European dialogue.

Debaters
Dundee University Debating Union reached the finals of the inaugural Scotsman Debating Championship with debaters Mark MacDonald and Ian Robertson representing the university. The debate, attended by over 300 people, was chaired by the presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament Sir David Steel. Aberdeen proved the eventual victors.

Howard
Professor Ian Howard was named as the new principal of Edinburgh College of Art. A well known printer and printmaker and one of the prime movers behind the creation of Dundee Contemporary Arts, Professor Howard became head of painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College in 1986, was made Professor of Fine Art in 1995 and Dean in 1999.

CCTV
In a determined bid to protect students and staff, the University introduced a major CCTV system on the city centre campus. University security manager Stewart Davidson said: "While crime levels in the University are relatively low we want to send out a simple message - crime will not be tolerated."

Carol
A Christmas Carol written by composer Christopher Tambling specially for the University was given its first public performance at the annual Christmas Carol Service in St Paul's Cathedral. The new music for the Lute-Book Lullaby was commissioned by music organiser Graeme Stevenson with money donated by Dundee graduate Dr Michael Bray. It was premiered by the University choir.

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