Edinburgh Friends 2010
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THE UNIVERSITYof EDINBURGH CAMPAIGN FriendsEdinburgh R 2010 E B Crowning a ECEM D masterpiece A behind-the-scenes look at the renovation and completion of Old College’s historic quad NEW MS RESEARCH CL INIC J.K. Rowling on her decision to fund a groundbreaking new centre INSIDE See p12 Leading research into autism and Fragile X Protecting the future through legacies The University of Edinburgh Campaign supporters YOUR OPINION MATTERS contents We would love to hear what you Cover feature: How a think of the generous donation has enabled magazine. Get in touch the completion of the historic with Brian Campbell to Old College quad, over three share your views centuries after it was begun e: brian1. page 18 campbell@ ed.ac.uk COVER: Detail of Robert Adam’s design for the east facade of the Old College. Courtesy of Edinburgh City Libraries and Information Services –Edinburgh Room 4 : 2010 ACHIEVEMENTS 22 31 A round-up of some of the Sign up year’s highlights for our 6 : THE EDINBURGH FUND bi-monthly How the Edinburgh Fund e-newsletter supports the University to receive regular 8 : WHY I GIVE 08 14 updates Drs Joy and George Sypert on the talk about their love of St Cecilia’s Hall 24 : MS RESEARCH University Why celebrated author J.K. Rowling has donated of Edinburgh 10 : CLIMATE CHANGE £10 million to fund a groundbreaking clinic Campaign. Introducing the Edinburgh Centre on Climate Change 28 JAMES TAIT BLACK MEMORIAL PRIZE Subscribe : 14 : FRAGILE X AND AUTISM Another stellar lineup for the UK’s oldest literary honours online at Find out about an exciting new research centre www. dedicated to the study of learning disabilities 30 : LEGACIES edinburgh Professor Kath Melia on why she has pledged campaign. 18 : COVER FEATURE a legacy ed.ac.uk A look at the renovation of the Old College quad 32 : CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS 23 : SCHOLARSHIPS Recognition of the generous support from How one company has made a difference our friends and alumni If you require this document in an alternative format, e.g. large print, please contact Brian Campbell on 0131 650 9642 or email [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 is a charitable body registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. The University of Edinburgh Development Trust charitable body registered in Scotland, with registration number SC004307. PUBLISHED BY: White Light Media www.whitelightmedia.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHERS: David Anderson, Cert no. TT-COC-002190 Nick Callaghan, Matt Davis, Graham Jepson, Rob McDougall, Douglas Robertson, Allan Shedlock 2 . EDINBURGH friends contents Dear friends, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of Edinburgh Friends, after what has been a truly significant period for philanthropic fundraising at the University. J.K. Rowling’s gift of £10m to fund a centre dedicated to research into regenerative neurology at Edinburgh – named in memory of her late mother – is an exceptional example of how one person’s generosity will affect not only the vital work we do here, but also the global understanding of related diseases and their prevention. This magazine also shows how generous gifts from our alumni, friends and partner institutions continue to support other areas across the University, from combating climate change to preserving the heritage of the University’s historical areas. It has also been a strong year for student support, at a time when Higher Education funding in the United Kingdom has never been more uncertain. In the last issue of Edinburgh Friends, I commented on the University’s commitment to increasing the number of scholarships and bursaries offered to the most capable students who wish to study here. I have been overwhelmed by the rallying spirit of the many donors who responded to the initiative, and I’m delighted to report that we have been able to increase the number of awards to over 400 scholarships and over 200 bursaries – an impressive step towards ensuring the brightest minds never feel unable to accept their place at this institution. As the University of Edinburgh Campaign enters its final phase – with a current total of £313m – I ask you to take a moment to appreciate the sheer number of names in the list of supporters (page 32). Each one represents a lasting difference to Edinburgh, and, with this magazine, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your continued efforts in enhancing the University’s global reputation of success. YOUNG P DAWKINS III, VICE PRINCIPAL EDINBURGH friends . 3 It has been an eventful NEW LOOK FOR year, with BUSINESS SCHOOL The University of Edinburgh many exciting Business School has moved to new premises, in keeping with developments its aspirations to become one and innovative of Europe’s leading centres for business excellence. research The School’s new home will be in the former Adam Ferguson projects Building, on the south side of George Square. The building, taking which has undergone a complete place at the internal renovation and has been extended onto Buccleuch Place, University. includes 18 lecture theatres, 18 syndicate rooms, an expanded HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, In addition to library space, a dedicated Chancellor of the University, at the meeting space for staff and opening of the Clinical Research the projects students, and wireless internet Imaging Centre in October and events throughout. Blending the best of traditional and innovative featured later teaching methods, its features NEW IMAGING include didactic lecture theatres, CENTRE OPENS in Edinburgh computer suites and a ‘mock’ trading floor. This year saw the opening of a Friends, here The creation of the new unique research imaging facility is a round-up building was made possible which will help researchers and thanks to a combination of doctors improve diagnosis and of some other University commitment and treatments for a range donations by alumni and friends. of illnesses. highlights of The £20 million Clinical Research Imaging Centre the past 12 The newly-renovated Business (CRIC) is a collaboration months. School provides flexible, light between the University and and functional space NHS Lothian. The first fully- integrated imaging facility of its kind in the UK, it enables achievements research into illnesses including multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, cancer and heart disease, without the need for invasive procedures. The Centre has been helped in particular by a very generous gift of £1.26 million by Mr Ronald Storey, who was left the life savings of his lifelong friend Dr George Birtwhistle. Mr Storey said Dr Birtwhistle would be “thrilled” to know his money was going to his alma mater. 2010 SPORTS CENTRE REVAMP £4.5 million has been invested in the University’s Centre for Sport and Exercise, to build an extension that provides an additional 1,900 square metres of activity space. Unveiled in August, the new facilities include a designated performance gym, unique body conditioning gym and spacious dance studio, as well as extensions to the An artist’s impression of the King’s Fitness Assessment and The Jeanne Marchig Centre will Buildings’ new library and resource Sports Injuries Centre. provide a platform for debating centre, to be constructed in 2011 The renovation has also important ethical issues transformed the building’s previously unused underground vaults into a KING’S BUILDINGS spectacular free weights NEW CENTRE FOR UPGRADE gym, and creates a new ANIMAL WELFARE rowing gym, which has been The King’s Buildings campus is named in honour of Olympic An innovative new centre benefiting from two important star and Edinburgh alumna dedicated to leading debate enhancements to ensure it Katherine Grainger. about animal welfare is the latest can continue to promote and new addition to the Royal (Dick) produce world-leading scientific School of Veterinary Studies. research and funding. The Jeanne Marchig The first stage of works saw International Centre for Animal a new learning and teaching Welfare Education will create a cluster opened to students The impressive free weights gym, focal centre for animal welfare at the end of the 2009/2010 housed in the revamped Centre for education across the globe, academic year, incorporating a Sport and Exercise engaging with politicians and state-of-the art teaching studio; governments, and strengthening group study rooms equipped the current provision of animal with smart boards; and flexible, welfare and ethics in veterinary catered common rooms. education. The second stage of The Centre, which will be improvements will see run by a newly-created post of construction begin in January Centre Director, is being set up 2011 on a new library and with a £2 million donation from resource centre, specially the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust. designed for collaborative It will be based on the first floor learning. Located at the heart of of a new £42 million teaching the King’s Buildings campus, the building for the Dick Vet, which centre will house an accessible, is due to open next year. up-to-date teaching collection. For more information on supporting the King’s Buildings development, contact Rachel Love on 0131 650 2788. EDINBURGH friends . 5 The Edinburgh Fund is generated by alumni and friends from around the world. It ensures talent is able to thrive at the University by donating grants, scholarships and bursaries that support entrepreneurial research and improve the University’s facilities. We take a look at some of the highlights of the past year INNOVATION INITIATIVE GRANTS Innovation Initiative Grants allocate money from the Edinburgh Fund to assist original and valuable projects across the University EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY HILL WALKING CLUB issues, from landlord and tenant disputes to family law.