Dundee University has become an integral part of so many aspects of life in Courier Country over the past 50 years.
The university attracts hundreds of students every year from across Tayside and Fife, as well as those who come from much further afield.
It also acts as an economic powerhouse, bringing major investment to the city and providing thousands of jobs.
Yet the university’s influence is felt in many ways beyond that, from involving thousands of people in world-leading medical research to establishing an international reputation for art and design that has transformed the landscape.
“We are an international university but our roots are planted very firmly in Dundee,” said Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university.
“We are an important part of the city and the wider area, but we gain so much by being where we are, at the heart of Tayside and Fife.”
MEDICAL RESEARCH – a people-powered `revolution’
The university is internationally renowned for the medical breakthroughs it has helped deliver, transforming the lives of patients across the world, including those with conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
In particular Dundee has been described as leading a `medical revolution’ in diabetes.
That has been driven by university researchers, often working in tandem with colleagues in NHS Tayside, but another really important part of it has been the contribution made by the public in Tayside and Fife, who have volunteered in their tens of thousands to support research.
The information they have provided means that more is known about the diabetic population locally than anywhere else in the world.
“We have an incredibly loyal patient population who continue to selflessly give up their time to volunteer on a wide range of studies run by the university and NHS Tayside,” said Dr Fiona Hogarth, co-Director of the Tayside Clinical Trials Unit.
“They have provided hugely valuable information leading to new ways of treating, managing and preventing diabetes. It has been a remarkable effort by the public, who have been endlessly supportive in signing up for clinical trials and research studies.
“Support has not just been for diabetic research but extends across all areas of clinical care, including the elderly and children.
“Due to the amazing support of the public, we recently recruited 12,000 people to just one study, which gives an idea of the scale of patient involvement.
“This is a vital part of medical research. We appreciate that without the support of patients and their families, we would not have made the ground breaking strides in clinical research for which Dundee is rightly recognised.
“The people in Tayside and Fife have been fantastic in helping us over many years.
“That doesn’t happen everywhere but there is a culture of support here which has been invaluable. We say a big thank you to the public every day.”
ECONOMIC DRIVER AND MAJOR EMPLOYER
The university contributes over £740m to the Scottish economy annually and is one of the biggest employers locally, with over 3000 staff. More than one in 12 jobs in the city are connected to the university.
Dundee has more students per head of population than any other Scottish city and they are a vital part of the community. Spending by students brings millions of pounds every year to the local economy.
The university receives its core funding from the Scottish Government but uses that to leverage much, much more.
For every £1 of Scottish Government funding, the University generates over £7 for the Scottish economy.
TRANSFORMING THE CITY
The university started the project to bring the V&A Museum of Design to Dundee. The first conversations about the possibility of establishing a V&A in Dundee took place between the university and the V&A around the mid-2000s.
The university then started to engage the other local partners to make the project a reality.
Part of the attraction of the V&A towards Dundee lay in the presence of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, part of the university and one of the UK’s leading art schools.
It has also been a key part of Dundee being named the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design.
Dundee – one of the best places in the UK to be a student
Dundee is a city of education, with more around one in six of the population being a student.
The university is consistently rated among the best places in the UK for student experience.
That speaks volumes for life on campus but also life beyond the campus.
Students love the fact they are at a university which sits so close to the city centre and is very much part of city life.
Students from Shanghai to Southampton comment on how welcoming they find Dundee.
Many are attracted by the wonderful location and the range of activities available locally, as well as the world-class education.
The university also leads the way in opening up access to higher education to all, giving a chance to students from poorer backgrounds or those who have overcome other difficulties.
Dame Ruth Silver, Chair of the Commission for Widening Access, told the university: “The passion of your staff, the determined collective mind set at Dundee University, is what Scotland needs in spades.”
Providing the workforce of the future
Dundee sends more graduates into the professions than any other university in Scotland. What that means locally is that the doctor, dentist, nurse or teacher you see is very likely to be a graduate of Dundee University. Not to mention the thousands of lawyers, designers, engineers, artists, scientists, historians, politicians, social workers and many more who have gained their degree with a tap of the Dundee bonnet.
