Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Dundee University at 50: A toast to the first half century!

Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Dundee University
Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Dundee University

The principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee University Professor Sir Pete Downes, has highlighted the impact of the university locally and globally as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

As The Courier marks the 50th anniversary of the institution with a special supplement and as alumni gather in Dundee for a weekend of celebrations, Professor Downes has reflected on the university’s growth over the decades, and has told how there is ambition for Dundee to become a “magnet city” in future.

Professor Downes said: “On August 1 1967, Dundee University came into formal existence by virtue of a Royal Charter.

“We are marking our 50th anniversary as an independent institution throughout 2017.

“We are reaching our 50th birthday with plenty to celebrate, pointing to how our impact has grown over the decades.

We are:

  • one of the world’s top 200 universities
  • the Scottish University of the Year for two years running
  • consistently rated as one of the best places in the UK to be a student
  • Dundee University Tower Building.
    Dundee University Tower Building.

“Our teaching and research are genuinely transforming lives, both here in Dundee and around the world.

“We have grown to be a richly diverse and international community, with around 150 countries represented amongst our staff, students and alumni.

“We have become a potent force for economic, social and cultural development in Dundee and the surrounding area, helping create new industries such as the biosciences sector and sparking the idea to bring the V&A to Dundee’s waterfront to establish the UK’s first Museum of Design outside London.

“We are among the best universities in the UK for graduate employment and lead the way in widening access to ensure the doors of higher education are open to everyone, regardless of their social or economic background.

“Our ambitions for the years to come are to become Scotland’s leading university, and to bring wider benefits for Dundee and the surrounding areas.

Professor Sir Pete Downes
Professor Sir Pete Downes

“We want to help Dundee become a `magnet city’, one which is attractive to students from around the world, where `young wealth creators’ want to locate, a place for local people to thrive and which attracts talented individuals from far and wide who want to live and work here.

“Dundee should be a destination, not just for tourists, but for talent.

“With the city and the university working together, and with the V&A taking shape on the banks of the Tay, we are already heading in the right direction for the next 50 years.”

Courier editor Richard Neville said: “Dundee University is integral to the beating heart of the city centre.

“As well as the institution’s contribution to education, research and the general economy of the city, the students have become part of the DNA of Dundee.

“For 50 years the new influx of undergraduates after every summer break has become one of the punctuation marks of city life.

Courier editor Richard Neville
Courier editor Richard Neville

“It is their vitality, energy and commitment to living life to the full in Dundee that has given the university an added vibrancy.

“It is little wonder that the quality of student life here tops every poll going.

“Dundee is undoubtedly a noted university city and every year its reputation as a wonderful place to study and teach grows and grows.

“The Courier is delighted to help Dundee University celebrate its 50th anniversary and I know the editor of this newspaper in 2067 will be equally proud to mark a centenary of university life, as will everyone else in the city.”