February 2004

in this issue

World-class Research Centre for Medical School

Plans for a world-class Clinical Research Centre at the Medical School have been approved by University Court.

The new Centre will attract the highest calibre of international clinical academics, with research focusing on disease prevention, diagnosis and early therapy for cancer, cardiovascular and thoracic diseases, nutrition, diabetes, metabolic disease and mental health. These research themes reflect the strategic aims of the Scottish Executive, The Chief Scientist’s Office and the pharmaceutical industry, addressing vital disease and health issues.

The £9m cost of the centre will be met by a number of organisations, with £1.2m coming from the University, £200,000 from NHS Tayside, £500,000 from Tayside Health Board and £3.5m from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council’s Strategic Research Investment Fund. A further £3.5m will be raised to fund new research equipment.

Peter Bates, Chairman of NHS Tayside said,  "We attach huge importance to the development of clinical research in Tayside, and especially to the fruitful collaboration between the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a concentration of world-class life scientists, medical researchers and clinical experts at the forefront of many of the specialisms and developments that will underpin healthcare in the future.

The new Centre is a highly significant addition to the strengths of the Teaching Hospital and a visible expression of the partnership between ourselves and the University.  It is also a major strategic development for Scotland, and we are delighted to support the project."

Professor Brian Burchell, Dean of the Medical School, said, "The creation of the Clinical Research Centre has come at a very important time. The latest issue of the British Medical Journal has stated that academic medicine is in crisis across the world and is actively promoting a campaign to promote and reinvent academic medicine. I believe that the CRC will make a positive contribution to the high standards of clinical teaching and research being undertaken at Ninewells Teaching Hospital and is proof positive of the excellent relationship between the NHS and the University.  We are extremely pleased that NHS Tayside are making a major financial contribution as our key partners in the development of the clinical research centre. This is another exciting project where the University and NHS Tayside are working in concert to create better health care for the future in Tayside."

Work on the new building will commence this summer.

Principal's Column
Energy accreditation
New Year honours
From keynotes to ceilidhs
Award for department of history
CIR campaign receives major donation
Fighting third world disease
Commission for 'Kebab Kingdom'
Discoveries abound at inaugural days
Top award for autism study
New research into Caesarean deliveries
Open your mind
REWIND
Serious business
Marketing the University and Dundee
Ageing and health trainees scoop national awards
Politician's lab visit
e-learning advances
Inaugural meeting of IVINURS
Realising the campus vision
Digest
Launch of new degree
Archive challenge
Court report
New University chairs
Reflecting on Burns
Double accolade for former writer in residence
Dundee book prize
Research Grants
Leading Europe in parenting
Glover Trade scholarships
£1/4m for green waste guide
Exciting developments in electronic teaching resources
Observing elections in Russia
Enhancing reputation for diabetes research in the young
Trek for diabetes
Fungus research recognised
Give it some wellie
Ignoring English migration
New control room operational
A sketch of the universe
Transforming the Botanics
Fond farewells
Retired academics database
Music updates
International attention for CALS
Student swimmer scoops gold
Scholarships for sport champions
Re-activate