Week Ending 9 February 2007 -
Synopsis number 736

University of Dundee News

Message from gold medallist Shirley
Dundee University's "A Dundee Celebration" today will include a filmed message from sailing gold medal winner Shirley Robertson, who had been due to attend but is instead in training for the 2008 Olympics
The Courier 09.02.07

Bell ensemble in welcome return
A year ago the Bell Ensemble, Lesley Bell, Rebecca Green and Fiona Macleod provided the entertainment at a university lunchtime concert.
The Courier 09.02.07

Regrets? They've had a few
John Morrill enjoys a nuanced account of how the Scots came to commit themselves to partnership with the 'auld enemy'. A review of "The Scots and the Union" by Professor Christopher Whatley.
THES 09.02.07

University jobs protest turns purple
Guests at a Scottish university's 40th anniversary party tonight will wear purple ribbons and scarves in protest against proposed job cuts. Dundee university have been considering cuts under plans to improve the institution's efficiency and boost income to £6.8million by 2010.
Press & Journal 09.02.07

Scots cash crisis sparks fear of jobs axe
Several hundred job losses in Scotland will be needed to avoid a financial crisis, the convener of Universities Scotland said this week, raising fears of more cuts to come. Sir Alan Langlands, Principal of Dundee University, is quoted.
THES 09.02.07

UK heads for bottom of the class for poor linguistic skills
The loss of university department of French, German and Italian is a trend that stands to threaten the UK's intellectual and cultural life. Departments have closed (Dundee University is the latest casualty).
THES 09.02.07

Here's to the next 40 years
This year sees the 40th anniversary of Dundee University's breakaway from its counterpart in St Andrews and tomorrow a special event is being staged in the Caird Hall to thank the city for its support.
Evening Telegraph 08.02.07

Why we love studying in Dundee
With celebratory events getting under way tomorrow , the Evening Telegraph spoke to university students from outside the city to discover their feelings about being part of Dundee.
Evening Telegraph 08.02.07

Prof in line for major award
Dundee life sciences expert Professor Roland Wolf has been shortlisted for a major industry award. Professor Wolf, director of the Biomedical Research Centre at Dundee University, has been nominated for the Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences award for leading individual contribution to life sciences in Scotland.
Evening Telegraph 08.02.07

Across the great divide
What is it really like for an Englishman living in Glasgow or a Scot working in London? Kirsty Scott and Patrick Barkham talk to the migrants in search of a better life. Claire Robertson is typical of the English who have settled in Scotland. They make up Scotland's largest migrant group - 408,000 at the last census count. A study found that the bulk of them are not retirees seeking free personal care, or families escaping to remote islands, but people coming largely to work, who settle in the central belt and whose social composition matches that of the Scots. The author of the survey, Dr Murray Watson of Dundee University, says one of the most notable things to emerge from his research was the way that most English settlers worked hard to integrate themselves into Scottish society and how many came to prefer living north of the border.
The Guardian 08.02.07

Groundbreaking hospital should halt MRSA infection
Work will begin later this month on a groundbreaking new hospital building which designers claim will combat MRSA by the way it is laid out. Initial research for the building was carried out by Graeme Hutton, dean of Dundee University's school of architecture.
Press & Journal 08.02.07

Joining forces to cut infection risk at unit
as above
The Courier 08.02.07

Scientists receive £2.5m cash boost to make range of crops healthier
Scottish scientists are to lead a new quest to make a range of crops healthier. The researchers at the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie, near Dundee, have won a share of £2.5million in European funding to boost nutritional values of potatoes, wheat and tomatoes. Prof Annie Anderson, director of the Centre for Public Health Nutrition Research at Dundee University is quoted.
Press & Journal 08.02.07

no heading
Dundee University Boat Club held a 12-hour ro-a-thon at the Students Union yesterday, with proceeds to be divided between the club and the Maggie's Centre.
The Courier 08.02.07

no heading
as above
Evening Telegraph 07.02.07

Purple protest plan for university ceremony
Guests at Dundee University's 40th anniversary celebrations in the Caird Hall tomorrow will wear something purple in support of the protest organised by the Dundee university and College Union.
The Courier 08.02.07

Students rally over cuts at university
Students and staff at the Dundee University held a protest rally about proposed cuts yesterday as management and unions agreed to work together to try to avoid compulsory job losses.
The Courier 08.02.07

£1.5m to help job axe city
Cash aid of nearly £1.5million was yesterday promised to Dundee to help it recover from the loss of the NCR factory. Recent jobs losses at the city's Tesco, Wood Group and Dundee University made matters worse.
Daily Record 08.02.07

Principals reject Tom Hunter’s three-year degree call
University principals yesterday rejected calls for the four-year Scottish university degree to be cut to three years. On Tuesday, Sir Tom Hunter, the entrepreneur, said a three-year degree course similar to that offered at English universities would have a number of benefits. Dundee University yesterday pointed out that it, along with other universities, already offers three-year degrees for pupils who stayed on at school to do Advanced Highers.
The Herald 08.02.07

Stirling University reveals £1.8m shortfall
The financial plight affecting Scottish universities deepened yesterday after a third university announced it was facing a budget deficit. Stirling University told The Herald it was predicting a shortfall of £1.8m by the end of the current financial year as a result of increases in the cost of salaries, pensions and fuel bills. So far this year, budgetary pressures have led to Dundee University announcing 100 job losses while Strathclyde University is to lose 250 posts.
The Herald 08.02.07

Student art exhibition
Around 70 students from Dundee's Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art are to have their works shown at a major exhibition in Edinburgh.
Evening Telegraph 07.02.07

Generosity over many years
Stuart Johnstone talks to Dr Jacqui Wood, chairperson of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign about the project's success. "We owe an enormous debt of grattitude to everyone in Tayside and beyond" Her efforts have been recognised with an MBE and honorary degrees from Dundee and Abertay universities.
Evening Telegraph 07.02.07

Prize to pay artist's trip
Jackie Anderson, 33, has been awarded £10,000 which she will use to travel to Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies ahead of her solo show in Edinburgh later this year. She completed a Master of Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone Art College in Dundee in 2002 and has exhibited widely since then.
Press & Journal 07.02.07

no heading
Peter Richardson, film director from Dundee University's film and media services department, gave an illustrated presentation on film making to Monifieth Rotary.
The Courier 07.02.07

A season of classical concerts
Dundee University's series of evening concerts resumes this week with music co-ordinator Graeme Stevenson looking forward to another year of welcoming classical musicians to the city.
The Courier 07.02.07

Students' poster controversy
Dundee company Tayprint have stated they wish to distance themselves from the controversy reported in The Courier this week surrounding the offensive posters from Dundee university Students' Association which were mistakenly posted in and around city centre sites.
The Courier 07.02.07

Award for Art College graduate
as above
The Courier 07.02.07

From the chalkface - PEOPLE
Andy Nicol, the former Scotland rugby captain, and Craig Murray, the former ambassador to Uzbekistan, are competing to become the next rector of Dundee University.
The Scotsman 07.02.07

Pupils to get a philosopher's tone
Playgrounds throughout the land may soon ring with the cut and thrust of neo-Socratic dialogue after Clackmananshire council yesterday become the first local authority in Britain to announce plans for philosophy lessons for children from the nursery to secondary school level. A Dundee University study suggests the intelligence gain - an average of 6.5 IQ points - has been maintained among those now in secondary schools, despite no further formal exposure to philosophy.
The Guardian 06.02.07

A big hand for young philosophers
as above
The Scotsman 06.02.07

Nursery children could be taught philosophy
as above
The Herald 06.02.07

The age of reason?
as above
Press & Journal 06.02.07

Tots taught philosophy at nursery
as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Philosophy lessons for nursery children
as above
Evening telegraph 05.02.07

Students make much ado about Shakespeare
Students at Dundee University will bring one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays to the stage this weekend. Dundee University's Lip Theatre Company is to perform comedy Much Ado About Nothing.
Press & Journal 06.02.07

no heading
as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Harrowing trip for university students
A group of Dundee University students, who recently returned from a festive trip to an impoverished quarter of Romania, have described what was possibly the most harrowing Christmas of their lives.
The Courier 06.02.07

University's finance director resigns after £10m shortfall report
Dundee University's finance director has resigned following reports of a £10million shortfall in the university's budget. Pete Cooper, who had worked at the university from 1996, rising to the position of finance director in 2003, is said to have tendered his resignation last Friday, leaving his role with immediate effect.
Press & Journal 06.02.07

Experts demand shake-up
as above
The Herald 07.02.07

Balancing the books
as above
The Herald 07.02.07

Difficult days for University
as above
The Courier 07.02.07

Help offer on botanic gardens
as above
The Courier 07.02.07

Universitys' key role in economy
as above
The Courier 07.02.07

Minister accused of dodging question
as above
The Courier 07.02.07

Management in 'total disarray'
as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Talks fail to allay fears
as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Growing support
as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Leaves not coins
Letter to the Editor - as above
The Courier 07.02.07

University finance director resigns
as above
Evening Telegraph 05.02.07

How to offset cost
Letter to the editor - as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Gardens an asset
Letter to the Editor - as above
The Courier 05.02.07

Jumped on sacking bandwagon
Letter to the editor - as above
Evening Telegraph 05.02.07

Holyrood takes look at ban's impact
Scotland's smoking ban will come under scrutiny at Holyrood tomorrow. Evidence placed before the committee will include the early results from research on Dundee bar staff that has shown improvements in lung function and other measures of health following the ban.
Evening Telegraph 05.02.07

Students muster some energy
Cash-strapped student at Dundee University have launched a bid to save money and the environment yesterday with an energy efficiency drive.
the Courier 06.02.07

Students launch energy drive
as above
Evening Telegraph 05.02.07

Life stories for peace
Dundee University will host a storytelling workshop, Looking for Peace, as part of the International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace.
The Courier 06.02.07

Storytelling workshop
as above
Evening Telegraph 05.02.07

Councillor's billboard concerns
Dundee Councillors are up in arms about a billboard that has been put up around the city to publicise this year's Dundee University Student Association elections.
The Courier 05.02.07

DUSA removes offensive posters
as above
The Courier 06.02.07

Social class may be considered for heart attack drug prescriptions
Doctors in Scotland could be asked to consider patients' social status when prescribing heart attack prevention drugs. Researchers at Dundee University found the dramatically higher chance of heart disease experienced by the poorest groups in society was not reflected by their Framingham score.
The Herald 05.02.07

'I felt like I was suffocating. I was a prisoner in my own home'
At the end of last year, Trevis Craig accompanied her daughter, Fiona, through the birth of her first child. Trevis had previously been a housebound agoraphobic unable to cross the threshold of her own home. John Swan, who is a lecturer and practitioner in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) at Dundee University, is quoted.
The Herald 05.02.07

Warning over impact of forged passports
A Scots expert on terrorism has said border controls are being undermined by high-quality forged passports produced at "workshops" in the UK. He was giving the first in the series of Saturday evening lectures at Dundee University. In a talk on The Liberal State Responses To Terrorism And Their Limits, he explored the implications of terrorism for democracy and the rule of law.
The Courier 05.02.07

Dundee University students go green
Students at Dundee University will be urged to go green this week to save energy - and cash.
Press & Journal 05.02.07

Academic calls for Simclar solidarity
A Dundee University economics lecturer who urged the city's 650 sacked NCR workers to occupy their factory is calling for support for the staff of electronics firm Simclar, who are following jut such a course o action.
The Courier 05.02.07

Awards and celebration as life begins at Dundee Uni
This year, the University of Dundee reaches a birthday milestone - it turns 40. On Friday afternoon in the Caird Hall, A Dundee Celebration will kick-off a year-long events calendar at a ceremony recognising key links formed with the city.
Sunday Post 04.02.07

Crisis on campus
When Holyrood rejected tuition fees, it was heralded as a triumph of devolution, a move to protect the ability of all to afford to study at university. But now the lack of cash is beginning to bite, jobs are being cut and buildings are crumbling. We report on the deepening funding crisis at the heart of our university education system So far this year, the University of Dundee has announced 100 job losses.
The Sunday Herald 04.02.07

Eat, think and be merry
For little more than the price of a dubious sandwich and a bag of crisps, Edinburgh's office workers can enjoy a freshly-cooked meal and 50 minutes of improvisational comedy during their lunch-hour. Dundee University economist, Dr Carlo Morelli is quoted.
The Sunday Herald 04.02.07

University's finances disputed
Dundee University faces a £10 million black hole in its budget for the next three years, according to principal Sir Alan Langlands. In a reply to Councillor Ian Borthwick, who wrote to express his concern over the future of the botanic garden, a spokeswoman for the principal said rising pay awards, pensions and utility bills are expected to amount to £10 million more than budgeted for the period 2006-9, and cuts would have to be made.
The Courier 03.02.07

Death of Professor John Beck at 78
Professor John Beck, a widely respected medical figure in Dundee and renowned for his work as a doctor, scientist, teacher and adviser to institutions and governments has died. He was 78. He was appointed to the chair of pathology at Dundee University in 1971.
The Courier 03.02.07

Professor John Beck
as above
The Scotsman 06.02.07

Funeral of Ninewells doctor
The funeral of Dr Andrew Muir takes place today in Dundee and tributes to the Ninewells consultant continue. Dr Muir, who graduated in medicine at Dundee University in 1977, was known and loved in the Tayside and Fife medical community and beyond.
The Courier 03.02.07

How JK Rowling has us spellbound
Room 652 in the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, is a place which most people, save the lucky few who can afford the £300-a-night room fee, could expect to know little about. Until yesterday, that is. We now know, for example, that the room comes adorned with a marble bust, that it was the chosen site for JK Rowling to pen the final instalment of her latest novel and that, on January 11, she wrote the last sentence in the last chapter of what is already the biggest publishing phenomenon in history. Dr Karen McGavock, a researcher at Dundee University is quoted.
The Herald 03.02.07

Directors nominated
Director of Dundee-based companies and organisations have been nominated for the annual Director of the Year Awards it was announced today. Professor Philip Cohen Dean of research at Dundee University is among the nominees.
Evening Telegraph 02.02.07

Directors nominated
as above
The Courier 03.02.07

Dundee architect offers free online green guide for developers
A Dundee architect has put together an online guide to help housing developers make their buildings more environmentally friendly. Fionn Stevenson, an architect lecturer at Dundee University, is quoted.
Press & Journal 03.02.07

Online guide to sustainable housing
as above
The Courier 05.02.07

The energy gap
as above
The Courier 05.02.07

Presenter switches again
In the course of Dundee University's lunchtime concert series in the /chaplaincy Centre, it has become habitual for organiser Graeme Stevenson to switch from presenter to performer on either piano or organ.
The Courier 03.02.07

University in running for award
A Medical exhibition involving Dundee University has been nominated for a museums and galleries prize.
The Courier 03.02.07

Knit one, purl one, raise £1000
Staff at the Maggie's Centre in Dundee met up with a crafty bunch of knitters to accept a cheque for over £1000 yesterday. Lorna Stevenson who works in the accountancy department of Dundee University, formed a knitting group with colleagues to raise money for the cancer support centre after she used it while undergoing treatment.
The Courier 03.02.07

no heading
Scots rugby hero Andy Nicol, is in the running to succeed telly host Lorraine Kelly as rector of Dundee University.
The Sun 02.02.07

Save our dad's bench plea to Uni
Letter to the editor: when I told my children the botanic gardens might be closed by Dundee University they were upset.
Evening Telegraph 02.02.07

Botanic garden threat: meeting with principal
Dundee University principal Sir Alan Langlands is to meet with a new campaign group formed to fight the proposed cuts in funding which could close the botanic garden.
Evening Telegraph 02.02.07

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