Principal's Column

The University is hard at work at this time of year with a focus on examinations, dissertations and marking but the prospect of celebrations and graduations beckons ... and so another annual cycle is complete.

The historical animosity between the French and the Americans is well documented. A trip across 19th century America was to one cultured Frenchman like "travelling backward through the progress of the human spirit". I am having the opposite experience in Dundee at the moment with a strong feeling that I am "being projected rapidly through the progress of the human spirit."

In the last few days I have experienced John Sulston's lecture on the potential of post-genome science, David Puttnam's call for social responsibility in the digital age and Susan Greenfield's exploration of our minds - three thought-provoking lectures from three modern day humanists. Their common theme was a concern with harnessing science and technology in a humane way that respects our individuality and acknowledges the importance of education and global partnerships which embrace the poorer countries of the world.

At a macro level we must hope that this sort of thinking influences the G8 summit to be held at Gleneagles in July. And closer to home, we should take note as we think further about the development of e-learning and the internationalisation of the University.

Sulston and Greenfield both receive honorary degrees this year and the University is also honouring the Chancellor, Sir James Black, with the unique award of an honorary Doctor of Science and Noerine Kaleeba who masterminded TASO, the model project for AIDS services worldwide.

All of our honorary graduates are chosen to inspire our graduating students just when, as Seamus Heaney observed, they are "balanced between memory and meaning ---- and about to enter the lifelong process of maintaining continuity and accommodating change". Graduation is the final part of our journey through the progress of the human spirit but the great thing is that we get to do it all again next year. As the academic year 2004/5 draws to a close I send my thanks and best wishes to all staff and students.

Alan Langlands
June 2005