Business leaders, alumni and friends of the University of Dundee gathered in the House of Lords last week to hear the latest phase in plans for a research centre devoted to developing IT solutions for problems facing the elderly.
The Queen Mother Research Centre, planned at the University of Dundee, will build on the internationally acclaimed expertise of Professor Alan Newell and his team in harnessing new technology for the benefit of those with problems of communication, mobility, memory and other challenges associated with ageing.
Professor Newell told assembled guests: "Currently older people's use of communication and information technology is very limited indeed, but younger people have benefited greatly from it, particularly in three major areas; quality of life and independence, social interaction and entertainment. Ironically, these are the very areas where older people have major unmet needs and wants."
"It is essential that technology responds to demographic challenges and the UK can provide a lead in this change by building on the pioneering work of my colleagues at Dundee University. There are fantastic opportunities for the UK to lead the world in designing and using IT systems to support older people. The work of the Queen Mother Research Centre has the capacity for substantially improving the quality of life of older people."
A personal message of support from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was read by the Countess of Strathmore, the Patron of the campaign. The message read: "I am very pleased that this project to establish the Queen Mother Research Centre for Information Technology to Support Older People has been launched so successfully, and I know that this is in no small way due to the hard work of Professor Alan Newell and his team at the University of Dundee."
"I hope that the Centre will provide the new opportunities for collaborative research and be of benefit to many elderly and disabled people throughout the United Kingdom. I send my best wishes for the continued success for this endeavour."
The evening reception was hosted by Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill, the former Director General of Age Concern and was attended by invited guests including local MPs Ernie Ross and Iain Luke, alumnus and past University Rector, Malcolm Bruce, MP, representatives of industry including Dr Iain Anderson and Sir Iain Vallance from BT and Mr Mark Grossi from NCR. Also attending were senior representatives of charitable trusts and the Director Generals of both Age Concern and Help the Aged./ends