April 2004

in this issue

Royal approval for research centres

HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened the Dundee Cancer Therapeutic Facility at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School and named the University’s new Queen Mother building, which houses the Queen Mother Research Centre (QMRC) where pioneering research is taking place into technology for the elderly.

As National Patron of Tenovus Scotland and granddaughter of the late Queen Mother, after whom the QMRC has been named, HRH The Princess Royal has strong links with these projects.

University Principal Sir Alan Langlands and Professor Peter Howie, President of Tenovus Tayside, the charity that has funded the £350,000 cost of the new cancer facility, met HRH The Princess Royal at Ninewells, where she heard a presentation on the new facility from Professor Sir David Lane and visited the facility in the Medical School.

HRH The Princess Royal then visited the main campus to name the new Queen Mother building. The late Queen Mother kindly gave her name to the centre shortly before her death to leave a legacy of her long association with the University. She became the first Chancellor of the independent University of Dundee in 1967. The QMRC is costing over £6.5m with £400,000 still to be raised.

HRH The Princess Royal saw a virtual tour of the QMRC in the Chaplaincy, where she unveiled a virtual plaque - dedicated by Chaplain Rev Dr Fiona Douglas - on an LCD screen. She said, "I am delighted to name the Queen Mother building. I know she was delighted with what we have in mind and I know I am delighted with the potential of this building."

HRH The Princess Royal was presented with a gift from the University in the form of a Helix 50 brooch, designed by DJCAD graduate and current PhD student Sandra Wilson. The brooch was finished just hours before the ceremony and is a striking example of the creative work that emerges at the boundaries of disciplines such as art and science .

Principal's Column
Applications up
Significant increase in media coverage
Opening the centre for forensic anthropology
New rector
Prize for healthy catering
Honorary degrees
Dalziel+Scullion scoop another award
Clue for skin cure
Peer learning with international impact
Tug-of-cell war
Award for cancer researcher
Three new fellows
Environmental sustainability
Wireless
Women an crime
Big number masterclass for budding mathematicians
Enhancing student careers prospects
Body memory
Dumbstruck! DJCAD alumnus returns to the Rep
Promoting research excellence
Personality analysis for next generation of doctors
Digest
Cheque for cancer campaign centre
Medical education by distance learning
Sport for Easter
Staff v students squash
Exercise therapy
Appointment at CEPMLP
Success for department of geography
Chevening scholar
Scotland's renaissance man
Books
Prize winning poems
Research grants
Checking out Czech culture
Charity award for Dino
Better health through functional foods
Green travel update
New University chairs
Developing architectural research
First doctorate
Expressing emotions
New era for DJCAD
RSA winners
Multi-cultural fun
Discovering degrees
Simulated patients - real learning
University health service
Obituaries
Conservation visit
What appears to be yours
Hogg chairs government improvements for disabilities