from the principal ....

In all the fog of public spending and higher education politics it is good to remember one of the core purposes of the University - educating students. As I move around campus at this time of year, I am conscious of a change in the student ambience - an intellectual charge goes through the atmosphere as exams loom and sense of purpose becomes almost palpable.

Exams are an important feature of university life. They can develop a sense of aspiration, motivation and mastery of our disciplines. But they are not everything. Education in the fullest sense will prepare individuals to take their place as confident, competent and principled people ready to play a role in the world. On a recent trip to India, where I had the privilege of visiting a number of higher education institutions and promoting joint education and research initiatives with Dundee, I was struck by the simplicity of a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "The purpose of education is to bring out the best in you."

Looking around in Dundee I see many fine examples of this in operation. Congratulations to medical student Jacky Chuen and arts and social sciences student Nick Henderson who won the Young Scot Award 2008 for their contributions to Democracy and Citizenship. Jacky's input to volunteering sets a first class example and I was intrigued to hear of Nick's experience - one of only six students from around the world selected to speak at the World Economic Forum at Davos after throwing himself into a project with the Scottish Youth Parliament and Oxfam. Similarly, law students Steven Blane and Bruce Langlands (no relation) have grown in stature by involving themselves in national and international mooting competitions and this month they are off to India to represent Scotland in international finals of a major client counselling competition. A team of Dundee design students have also been selected as the UK's sole representatives in the Microsoft Design Expo in Washington in July giving them a unique and moulding experience.

Students are also honing their skills by engaging directly with "real life" problems. Engineering students have been working with NCR on improving design features of ATM machines. Town and regional planning student Garrie Watson won the Dundee Civic Award 2008 for his plans for an exhibition and conference centre on the Kingsway; and a group of third year students of interior and environmental design responded to the challenge of redesigning DUSA, working with Nicol Russell Studios.

And there are plenty of examples of students developing their philanthropic side. Dundee Universities Charities Committee recently pulled off their biggest fashion show ever for three charities; nursing students in the Fife campus are currently fundraising on behalf of Lesotho - one of the poorest countries in the world - and the University Boat Club has made a fine contribution to Childline Scotland. These are just a few of many initiatives in this inspiring campus community.

As I write this we have recently said a final farewell to two of the University's most inspirational figures - Professor Walter Spear FRS FRSE and Dr Pat McPherson OBE LLD(see page???). Each made a distinctive and distinguished contribution to the University of Dundee - scientific and philanthropic. And each will live on in the University's memory, spirit and aspirations as fine role models for succeeding generations.

As staff and students negotiate the weeks towards graduation, I congratulate our students on all that they have achieved. I thank the leaders of the Students' Association and the Sports Union for all that they have contributed in 2007/8 and I wish their successors all the very best for the year ahead.

Alan Langlands