Edinburgh Friends 2011
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THE UNIVERSITYof EDINBURGH CAMPAIGN Edinburgh FriendsDECEMBER 2011 Connecting the dots How the University is helping to build the future of science and engineering INSIDE Edinburgh’s hidden gem: St Cecilia’s Hall How bursaries make a difference The University of Edinburgh Campaign supporters YOUR OPINION MATTERS contents We would love to hear what you Cover feature: How the think of the magazine. University’s investment in Please get in touch science and engineering is with Brian Campbell to helping to prepare us for the share your views challenges of tomorrow e: brian1. campbell@ page 18 ed.ac.uk 04 : 2011 HIGHLIGHTS 06 18 A round-up of some of this year’s Sign up for news and developments our monthly e-newsletter 06 : OUR SUPPORTERS to receive At a glance – where our regular supporters come from updates 10 26 on the 08 : WHY I GIVE University of Morag McIntyre explains why she and her husband 32 : BURSARIES Edinburgh funded a living memorial to their son Craig How an access bursary made a difference Campaign. to Colin Maclachlan Subscribe 10 : MEDICINE online at A look at some of the University’s latest projects 34 : LEGACIES www. in medical research Why David McCorquodale has pledged a legacy edinburgh 16 : OLD COLLEGE to the University campaign. The Old College quadrangle has been unveiled, ed.ac.uk 36 : CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS revealing a beautiful addition to the building Recognition of the generous support from our friends and alumni 18 : COVER FEATURE How the University is investing in the future of science and engineering If you require this document in an alternative 26 : SPECIAL COLLECTIONS format, e.g. large print, please contact Discover the wonder of St Cecilia’s Hall and Brian Campbell on 0131 650 9642 or email of the University’s Special Collections [email protected] Development & Alumni, The University of Edinburgh, Charles Stewart House, 9–16 Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1HT t: +44 (0)131 650 2240 e: [email protected] www.edinburghcampaign.ed.ac.uk The University of Edinburgh, Registered Charity No SC005336 The University of Edinburgh Development Trust Registered Charity No SC004307. PUBLISHED BY: White Light Media www.whitelightmedia.co.uk Cert no. TT-COC-002190 PHOTOGRAPHERS: David Anderson, Matt Davis, Luigi Di Pasquale, Rob McDougall, Allan Shedlock 2 . EDINBURGH friends contents Dear friends, I am delighted to be introducing the latest edition of Edinburgh Friends to you after a very dynamic year for the University of Edinburgh. Since assuming responsibility for University Development and Alumni Engagement earlier this year, I have been privileged to be part of several major developments, including the merger with Edinburgh College of Art and the installation of HRH The Princess Royal as Chancellor, succeeding her father HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who was an outstanding supporter of the University for his 53-year term. This magazine is testament to the many exciting developments that have been made possible by you, the University’s donors and friends. The Old College quadrangle is now open to the public as a resplendently green and elegant space in keeping with its historic site. The new teaching facility at the Dick Vet – one of the world’s largest vet school campuses – is full of active students who love their new space. Our Chancellor opened both on a memorable day in September. Major philanthropic gifts for medical research have enabled us to establish the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine and to begin work on a building to house the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic. Ongoing redevelopment of the King’s Buildings campus demonstrates the University’s continuing commitment to enhancing the student experience at Edinburgh at all of our campuses. Colin McLachlan’s story (p32) and the McIntyre family’s generous contributions to the access bursary scheme (p8) are heart-warming examples of the very real impact of philanthropic donations. Every gift makes a difference and I hope you will enjoy our graphic representation of just how vital smaller donations are to students, staff and research projects at the University (p6), while alumnus David McCorquodale’s legacy pledge (p34) is an example of the faith our supporters have in the future of this great institution. With this support, we continue to attract the world’s brightest minds to Edinburgh from across the globe – a powerful contribution to the University and its reputation as a world-leading centre of research and scholarship. As the current £350 million campaign approaches a successful end, I am excited to be looking forward to delivering the University’s ever-growing ambitions. We aspire to provide the best facilities possible to our staff and students. We want to deliver research which can address the huge social and scientific challenges of the day. We will encourage the arts, sports and culture, whilst sharing our diverse knowledge with the wider community. I look forward to sharing our plans with you, and hope you will join us in celebrating and extending the success of the University of Edinburgh. Prof Mary Bownes, Vice Principal of External Engagement EDINBURGH friends . 3 We take a look at just NEW VET SCHOOL some of the DEVELOPMENT developments Vet students at the University of that have Edinburgh will now benefit from marked a one of the world’s largest vet school campuses, thanks to a busy year for new £42 million teaching facility. Part of a £100 million the University development on the University’s Easter Bush campus, the new building is able to accommodate more than 1,000 students, significantly increasing the University’s intake. Students will also be able to practise on A view inside the main hall, interactive man-made models at a Edinburgh College of Art clinical skills facility, and will have access to interactive learning to check on the health of farm MERGER HERALDS animals through web cams. NEW ERA FOR ART The new building also encompasses the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal The University and the Welfare Education. Set up with a £2 Edinburgh College of Art have million donation from the Marchig celebrated a historic merger. Animal Welfare Trust, the Centre The University’s Principal, will be a key resource of expertise Professor Sir Timothy for animal welfare education. O’Shea, said: “Throughout this process, I have been struck by the sustained enthusiasm that students and A turtle is examined by a vet at the staff have expressed for the University’s Royal (Dick) School of coming together of our two Veterinary Studies distinguished institutions. I am highlights fully confident that the new Edinburgh College of Art will flourish in the University as a dynamic centre of international standing in the visual, creative and performing arts under the leadership of its incoming Principal, Dr Chris Breward.” Dr Breward added: “It’s a huge privilege to be joining the new Edinburgh College of Art at this crucial point in its development. I look forward to working with all staff in building on the impressive achievements that have led to the merger, and creating an exciting future that reflects the full benefits of a unique partnership.” 2011 4 . EDINBURGH friends JK Rowling on the site of the Anne Rowling Neurology Clinic ANNE ROWLING CLINIC CONSTRUCTION BEGUN Author JK Rowling visited the University in November to bury a time capsule beneath the site where the Anne Rowling Neurology Clinic will stand. The ceremony marked the beginning of building work on the clinic, which will be operational in Prof Peter Kind and the Alusi family at 2012. The clinic will focus on clinical the opening of the Patrick Wild Centre research and targeting discovery of treatments to slow progression of neurodegenerative diseases, with OFFICIAL OPENING the ultimate ambition of repairing NEW CHAIR TO OF PATRICK WILD damage, and was made possible AID JAPAN-CHINA thanks to a £10 million donation CENTRE from Ms Rowling, in memory of her RELATIONS mother Anne, who died of multiple A special event at the sclerosis aged 45. A new Chair of Japanese-Chinese University of Edinburgh The time capsule contains relations has been established, thanks Business School on Buccleuch accounts from patients living to a million pound donation from Place marked the official with multiple sclerosis and other Worldwide Support for Development. opening of The Patrick Wild neurodegenerative diseases, The Handa Chair in Japanese- Centre for Research into as well as contributions from Chinese relations will be situated in Autism, Fragile X syndrome clinicians on current treatments the School of Literatures, Languages and Intellectual Disabilities, and their hopes for the future. and Cultures. It will be filled by a in November last year. The The new clinic follows the newly-appointed professor, who centre is a new initiative which creation of the Centre for Multiple will work closely with the Centre brings to life the University’s Sclerosis Research, also at Little for Japanese Studies, the Scottish ethos of “bench to bed” France, in 2007, which has also Centre for Chinese Studies, and the research, and will carry out received support from Ms Rowling. Confucious Institute for Scotland, at world-leading work on autism Siddharthan Chandran, Professor the University of Edinburgh. and fragile X syndrome – the of Neurology at the University of The Chair is named after Dr most common inherited form Edinburgh, who will lead the clinic, Haruhisa Handa, chairman of of intellectual disability, and said: “Neurodegenerative diseases Worldwide Support for Development. the most common known are one of the major challenges Dr Handa is renowned for his deep genetic cause of autism to modern medicine. Within this commitment to social causes. spectrum disorders. group of devastating disorders, The Handa Chair will investigate The centre has been MS disproportionately affects the the central issues in Japanese- supported by generous Scottish population.