6 September 2009

Freshers Class of 2009 arrive in Dundee

NOTE: Photo opps from around 9.15am Monday, September 7th - students in City Square followed by academic procession from City Chambers to Caird Hall at 9.45am.


Around 3500 students will embark on their academic career on Monday when the University of Dundee welcomes this year’s undergraduate and postgraduate intake.

The new academic year will begin with hundreds of students filling City Square before moving into the Caird Hall, where University Principal Professor Pete Downes, Lord Provost John Letford and Dundee University Students Association President Andrew Smith will welcome them to the city.

Whilst Monday’s event is a journey into the unknown for the undergraduates, it will also be something of a first for Professor Downes, who was appointed to the role in July.

“This will be a particularly poignant moment for me, as it will be my first semester as University Principal and Vice-Chancellor,” he explained. “I am looking forward to welcoming the new students, whether undergraduate or postgraduate, and this is a time of shared beginnings for both me and the new students who join us this week.

“Increasingly, the University is drawing on students who come from far and wide, and Freshers’ Week provides the perfect opportunity for students from different backgrounds and cultures to meet, share their experiences with one another, and make potentially lifelong friendships.

“I would encourage all students arriving in Dundee to make the very most of that opportunity and, indeed, their whole time here. All the students are beginning a relationship with Dundee that will last a lifetime.

“The students who matriculate will become part of a University community that recognises its important place within Tayside, and as an economic driver regionally and nationally.

“When I stand in front of the new students, I know I will be facing people who will go on to achieve great things in art, science, engineering, business, medicine and many other fields.

“The entire University community is geared towards helping our students succeed but, ultimately, they can only realise their potential through hard work and commitment.”

Lord Provost Letford said, “The University and the city are increasingly becoming places where the brightest and best students from the UK and beyond choose to study.

“It is a source of pride for me to be representing the city at this event, and it is a great privilege to extend the hand of welcome to this new intake of young people. Hopefully this is only the beginning of a long term friendship that will bear fruit for everyone involved.'"

DUSA President Andrew Smith said the years ahead will be both “hectic and fun”, and see the students make lifelong friends and take decisions that will shape the rest of their lives.

“Freshers’ Week will be the students’ first chance to see what’s on offer and meet thousands of people from all over the world. My advice is to embrace it all and take advantage of everything that is going on.

“Regardless of the subject they study, I’d like to wish our new students the best of luck in everything they do at Dundee.”

The new intake will see students from countries such as Nigeria, China, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Poland study alongside undergraduates and postgraduates from the local area.

Traditional Freshers’ week activities have been organised by DUSA, and a large number of enthusiastic student peer connectors will also be highly visible on campus - in their striking yellow T-shirts - providing valuable help and advice to students as they settle into University life.

A new initiative - PLUS@Dundee, short for Personal Learning for University Success at the University of Dundee - aims to help all students to quickly and effectively become part of the University community.

A number of social, cultural, sporting and academic events have been designed to help students to integrate regardless of field of study, nationality or age.

PLUS@Dundee will continue to support students with further events enabling them to acquire the skills necessary to fulfil their potential at university and enhance the employability of graduates.

Further information is available at the Freshers’ website www.dundee.ac.uk/freshers2009

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee

Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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