Exhibition celebrates more than a century of transforming lives through education and social work

Published On Mon 22 Feb 2016 by Grant Hill

An exhibition celebrating 110 years of education and social work training will open at the University of Dundee this week.

‘Transforming lives through Education and Social Work: More than a Century of Making a Difference’ opens at the University’s Tower Foyer Gallery on Friday, 26th February. Images, artefacts and other information from the early days of Dundee Training College right through to today and the University’s School of Education & Social Work feature in the exhibition.

The successes of degree and diploma programmes and the role Dundee has played in shaping the education, social work and community education professions is also celebrated, as is the contribution of the many teachers, social workers and others who trained in the city.

Organiser Susan Buckman, a Lecturer in Education at the University, said, “Since teacher training began in Dundee, thousands of students have passed through the various institutions responsible for preparing them for the challenges that teaching, social work and community education pose.

“In turn, they have gone out to schools and other organisations in Dundee and far beyond to make a real difference to the lives of their pupils, students and clients. We are exceptionally proud of the transformative role that education and social work training has had on so many people’s lives and are delighted to be celebrating more than a century of success in this area.”

Dundee Training College was inaugurated in 1906 and moved to Park Place, part of what is now the University campus, in 1920. DTC was renamed Dundee College of Education in 1958-9 as part of a nationwide re-organisation of education training.

Teacher training continued at Park Place until 1975 when DCoE was absorbed into the Northern College of Education in Dundee’s Gardyne Road. Responsibility for education and social work training was transferred to the University in 2006 ahead of an official merger five years later.

The exhibition features a collage of pictures, timetables, curriculums, and other information mounted on boards as well as a display case of other artefacts and a screen playing a 15-minute film of the final days of Park Place on a loop.

‘Transforming lives through Education and Social Work: More than a Century of Making a Difference’ opens at the Tower Foyer Gallery with a preview evening and drinks reception from 5-7pm on Friday, 26th February. Admission is free and the exhibition will remain open until the end of April.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk