12 October 2011

Minister to visit Planning students and staff

Photo opportunity: 2.30pm on Thursday, 13th October at Room T4, Tower Building, University of Dundee. Planning students will be showing Scottish Government Minister Aileen Campbell their work.

Minister for Local Government and Planning Aileen Campbell MSP will visit the University of Dundee tomorrow to meet with Town & Regional Planning staff and students.

Ms Campbell will discuss current issues in planning, and speak to staff and students about what is taught at Dundee on Thursday, 13th October. Final year Town & Regional Planning students and postgraduates from the MSc Spatial Planning programme will demonstrate the results of their studio and field-work to the Minister.

David Kirk, Head of Town & Regional Planning, said the students will be discussing the place of planning in Scotland and internationally, as well as learning about how they can enhance their employability after graduation.

'We're delighted that the Minister is taking the time to come and visit us, and to see the work we are doing to educate the next generation of planners,' he said. 'It is very encouraging that Ms Campbell is taking such an active interest in planning education and she will see the range carried out here.

'It is a good opportunity for out students to talk to the Minister about how they feel about their future careers in planning, find out how they can make themselves more employable, and learn about opportunities in areas such as renewables, urban design, regeneration, and economic growth and development.'

Ms Campbell said, 'I'm delighted to meet with some of the next generation of planners and see that Scotland's planning future is in safe hands.

'The knowledge and skills of planning graduates will contribute to the delivery of a modernised planning system, which has an important role in supporting the Government’s central purpose of sustainable economic growth.

'The Scottish Government is committed to engaging with planning schools and improving the professional development of planners, and recognises the importance of quality planning education.'

The University's School of the Environment comprises Town & Regional Planning, Architecture, Geography and Environmental Science.

By bringing together distinct but related subjects, it has been possible to enhance inter-disciplinary research, and research-led teaching and create innovative degree programmes aimed at finding solutions to the social and environmental issues underpinning many of the world’s most pressing problems.

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
MOBILE: 07854 953277