Graduate to meet her family’s hero on the Caird Hall stage

Published On Thu 22 Jun 2017 by Cara Longmuir

A University of Dundee student will collect her degree from the man who saved her life over 30 years ago.

On February 4th 1986, Sarah Beattie was born 14 weeks premature, weighing only 1lb 5oz. Lord Naren Patel was the consultant obstetrician at Ninewells Hospital the day she was born. He is now Chancellor of the University and will cap Sarah on Thursday, 22nd June.

Sarah will collect her Diploma in Legal Practice having already achieved her Law degree last year from Dundee. That is when her mum, Morag, realised their connection.

She said, “I couldn't believe it when I saw him at the Caird Hall and he was presenting Sarah with her cap.

“He was so fantastic with her when she was born and he’s someone we owe a lot to. There are not many happy stories of babies being born premature back in the 1980s, but Sarah was a fighter and it was all thanks to the care of Lord Patel and his team of dedicated nurses and doctors that she came through it.”

Sarah said, “I am absolutely delighted to have finished my legal studies. I owe a lot to my family and friends who have supported me through the three years of Law school.

“My mum has obviously told me about Lord Patel and everything he did for me, but I didn’t realise he would be at my graduation.

“I'm sure after all this time he won’t remember me and my family, but I’m sure he will be happy to know we still think of him to this day. I’m looking forward to meeting him again this year.”

The University’s Summer Graduation ceremonies take place in the Caird Hall in Dundee from Wednesday, 21st June to Friday, 23th June. Morning and afternoon ceremonies will take place each day as around 3000 graduates from around the world receive their degrees.

For media enquiries contact:
Cara Longmuir
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 385243
Email: c.z.longmuir@dundee.ac.uk