New Chancellor and 3000 students to be welcomed to Dundee
Published On Fri 31 Aug 2018 by Grant Hill
The University of Dundee will next week roll out the red carpet for more than 3000 new students and their new Chancellor.
City Square will be abuzz with excitement and anticipation on Monday 3 September when the new crop of undergraduate and postgraduate students congregate ahead of the traditional greeting in the Caird Hall.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Pete Downes will welcome them to Dundee at the first event to take place as part of a programme organised to ensure that starting life in the city is made as easy as possible for the new arrivals.
The ceremony will also see the official installation of the University’s new Chancellor, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, take place. The role of Chancellor is the most senior in the University and involves acting as its ceremonial head, presiding over Academic Ceremonies and performing the role of President of the Graduates’ Association.
“Every year the University is refreshed and strengthened by the arrival of a new generation of students and it is my great pleasure to welcome them to the University, wherever they come to us from,” said Professor Sir Pete.
“Freshers’ week marks the beginning of a new chapter of their lives, one that will bring them into contact with inspirational mentors and peers. They will meet some of the finest minds in their respective fields, begin lifelong friendships, and savour an unforgettable student experience made possible by the work of my colleagues and Dundee University Students’ Association.
“We also welcome another Dundee ‘fresher’ in the shape of our new Chancellor. Dame Jocelyn is a world-famous astrophysicist who overcame considerable challenges in her career. She committed her professional life to making science a better place for both men and women, and I know she is determined to – along with the entire University community – make Dundee the very best it can be.”
Dundee is one of the World’s Top 200 universities, according to Times Higher Education, and also gained a Gold Award in the Teaching Excellence Framework. The University recorded one of the highest rates of satisfaction in the latest International Student Barometer and is ranked joint 8th in the UK for student experience (National Student Survey 2018) while a record 96.4% of graduates were in work or further study six months after graduation (Destination of Leavers of Higher Education 2018).
This year’s Freshers’ Week celebrations will see Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) play host to top acts such as Big Narstie, Tinchy Stryder and Love Island star Alexandra Cane.
On top of this, DUSA will be holding various events across the week to promote the large number of extracurricular activities new and returning students can become involved with clubs, societies, sports, student media and campus politics such as Fresher’s Fair and the SRC Nominations.
DUSA President Sofia Skevofylaka said, “We are excited to welcome our new students to DUSA and the University. We are here to listen and represent our students’ views. Simultaneously, we will provide them with academic and welfare support as well as endless opportunities to get involved in societies throughout their entire University career here in sunny Dundee.
“I am sure they are as excited as we are about the biggest and most entertaining week of the year here at DUSA.”
A small army of staff, supported by student volunteers, are set to help the new arrivals settle in as they arrive in the city. New students can also access information at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/welcome/.
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