Top medics in Tayside paid tribute today to the determined support and generosity of the people of Tayside, without which - they say - the University of Dundee Medical and Dental Schools could not have achieved the top five star and five ratings in the national research assessment exercise announced on Friday.
The results show international excellence across the board in clinical laboratory sciences, hospital based clinical subjects and clinical dentistry at the University of Dundee. The related area of biological sciences was also rated five star.
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Professor David Levison described the results as "extremely impressive by any standards". "This could not have been achieved without the unstinting support and generosity of the public in Tayside and Fife who have participated in so many volunteer programmes aiding research and in so many fundraising initiatives.
"For every unit of assessment, including the community based clinical subjects, to have improved by at least two grades is unprecedented. This is a true reflection of the excellence of the science and of the hard work and determination of those involved in the submissions to the internationally renowned panellists who did the judging.
These are achievements of which the whole community - university, NHS and local people themselves - can rightly feel proud. Clinical research and teaching are the responsibilities of both University and NHS employees. Working together with this uniquely supportive population we really can make an impact and improve all aspects of healthcare in Tayside."
This result complements the international reputation of the Medical School in education through the Centre for Medical Education and the rating of 'Excellent' in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment exercise.