October Issue

Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery Retires

Teaching and Learning Feature NexusConnecting the University community Celebrating Student Success Pupils taking part in the Challenge. Pupils Petrochallenge ‘Riding the Rapids’ Two very different high-profile events took place at in September.

Pupils from across the North-east of Around 350 S5 and S6 students participated fierce competition from other finalists pitted their wits against each in the third annual two-day event. Formerly from schools around the globe including other at Petrochallenge 2009 on 1 and known as OilSim, the 2009 challenge has the Faroe Islands, Norway, Greenland, 2 September, as they fought to become been re-launched by OPITO – The Oil & Gas Denmark, the US and Canada, in the successful oil and gas operators in Academy, in partnership with educational finals in London in January 2010. the UK heat of the major international specialist Simprentis. The event was also competition. delivered in partnership with Opito and Riding the Rapids Simprentis, with prizes including a Robert The second event took place as a Pupils from 37 secondary schools in the Gordon University knowledge prize, which result of a global research project area took part in The Oil & Gas Academy was awarded at Offshore Europe. commissioned by PSN and McGrigors PetroChallenge, an online event which LLP, by Business School, to saw pupils around the world battle it out The winning team was Aboyne Academy, examine how some companies continue as oil barons. who will go on to represent the UK in the to prosper despite these times of international final in London. They will face volatility and uncertainty. Continued on page 3

University Ventures Investment Fund finances first company

Robert Gordon University’s Ventures BI Medical Limited is the University’s Sigma Capital Group plc. Specialising in the Investment Fund LP (the RGU Fund) orthopaedics development and commercialisation of university intellectual has part-funded its first project. commercialisation spin-out company. It property, Frontier IP has committed The Fund is the first dedicated is developing a range of innovative new £300,000 to the RGU Fund, with the private equity fund for investment in orthopaedic devices based on intellectual University committing up to £800,000. intellectual property in any modern property licensed from the founding university in the UK. Thanks to institutions and has an ongoing pipeline The RGU Fund aims to help accelerate the funding from organisations including agreement giving it access to future development of commercial opportunities the RGU Fund, B1 Medical Limited has inventions. emerging from the University’s research completed a second round financing programmes, and the Fund has the first of £1.1m. The RGU Fund was established by Frontier right to fianace any spin-out company IP, a subsidiary of asset management group, across any of its faculties. THIS ISSUE RGU PEOPLE

Welcome to the October issue of the University’s magazine, Nexus. Now that the academic year is well underway there is no better time to focus on teaching and learning with pages six and seven devoted to recent activities, and a double page spread celebrating the successes of the University’s students.

Please get in touch if you have any suggestions for stories or features for the magazine. Email your ideas

to [email protected]. You can also Mrs Jennie Parry. use this address to contact us if you would like copies of any photos included in Nexus.

The deadline for articles to be included in the November issue is Head of Nursing and Friday 10 October, and Wednesday Midwifery retires 4 November for the December issue. Mrs Jennie Parry retired in July after a decade at the helm of the University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. Under her direction, the School has developed into one of the leading Gail Caie providers of undergraduate and postgraduate nurse and Senior Communications Officer midwifery education. Before joining Robert Gordon University, Jennie had extensive clinical and academic nursing experience, beginning when she was appointed as one of the youngest ward sisters at the age of 22, where she led a very busy medical and surgical unit in Liverpool. Her husband was in the Navy, which led to her taking up nursing and health related posts the length and breadth of the country.

Jennie joined the School of Nursing and Midwifery in 1994. Since being appointed Head of School, she has successfully led the School through a number of challenging transitions. Under her leadership, it has developed into one of the leading providers of high quality undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and midwifery education.

Jennie has always had a strong interest in teaching and learning, academic quality and practice development and, as a result, fostered a culture of innovative practice in teaching and learning within the School. The development of the clinical skills laboratory and volunteer patient scheme demonstrates Jennie’s long-held commitment to simulated learning, and is a tribute to her enthusiasm for creating a safe, sPECIAL features yet challenging, experiential learning environment for students. RGU PEOPLE Jennie said, “It has been a real privilege to work with so many wonderful people, and play a part in the education and nurturing 4-5 of the future generation of nurses and midwives. My career has Celebrating success been so worthwhile, and I have really enjoyed it. “I would like to thank all the staff from across the University who contributed to my going away gift. It was totally unexpected and a lovely surprise. The flowers in particular gave me a lot of 6-7 pleasure and stood in pride of place on my dining room table.” Lessons in learning

2 RGU PEOPLE Continued from page 1 The event, which took place on 1 September, was entitled ‘Riding the Rapids’. It explored the research, addressing how oil and gas industry leaders are steering and sustaining their businesses through the current global recession. A panel of industry experts including; Professor Rita Marcella, Dean of Aberdeen Business School who also delivered a presentation; Tom Smith, Head of Energy, McGrigors LLP and Alec Carstairs, Oil and Gas Partner, Ernst & Young.The event was chaired by Cheryl Paul from STV, who facilitated the quality debate.

The Aberdeen event was one of a series of four international events in Calgary, Houston and Abu Dhabi, and was sponsored by Ernst & Young, Aberdeen.

(Left to right) Cheryl Paul and Professor Rita Marcella with the expert panel. Robert Gordon University Gray’s School of Art duo short-listed to ‘Take the and Dundee College sign Mrs Jennie Parry. Lead’ in £500,000 project agreement to forge closer links In August a signing ceremony took place to reinforce and extend Robert Gordon University and Dundee College’s formal commitment to providing greater opportunities for students in Tayside.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding took place with Christina Potter, Principal of Dundee College, and Robert Gordon University Principal, Professor Mike Pittilo. The agreement means that students completing many of Dundee College’s HND programmes can matriculate directly into the third year of numerous Robert Gordon University degree programmes, much like the 2+2 arrangement the University has with several other Scottish Colleges.

Professor Pittilo said, “I’m delighted that we are able to collaborate with Dundee College on an initiative that will benefit both institutions and prospective students in the Tayside region. The University is very keen to widen participation and we believe that Two Gray’s School of Art Research Fellows have been this link will be an effective way of achieving this.” short-listed for one of the most ambitious and wide- ranging arts events in the UK. Visual artists Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan are responsible for one of five short-listed ideas in the running to secure a grant of £460,000 from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund.

If successful, the duo’s idea of creating four sculptural objects which would travel across Scotland to take up temporary residence at a number of locations would become a reality as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Inspired by London 2012 and the Olympic spirit, the pieces would provide possibilities for engagement and direct interaction with communities.

In Scotland, the short-list was selected by an expert panel of judges made up of artists and arts specialists. The short-listed artists will each receive a development grant of £5,000 to turn their initial proposals into comprehensive plans. They presented these to the artist panels in September and the final commissions will be

Christina Potter and Professor Mike Pittilo signing Mike Pittilo and Professor Christina Potter the Memorandum of Understanding. announced on 22 October.

Speaking on behalf of the team at Gray’s, Joanne explained: “We are Christina Potter added: “For many students, studying for an HNC or delighted to be short-listed for this prestigious project. Researchers HND at college is an attractive way to enter higher education - they at Gray’s have a great track record of collaborating with external can then transfer to a degree programme and build on their initial organisations and we are very excited about this opportunity to studies.” work with London 2012 Olympics.” 3 LESSONS IN LEARNING (left to right) Professor Mike Pittilo with Professor Tim Wilson. Testing the pallet: international artists to provide lessons in Aberdeen A host of high-profile international artists are set to visit Aberdeen next summer as Gray’s School of Art launches its first ever Printmaking Summer School.

North-east creatives, as well as those drawn to the events from across the globe, will be able to benefit from attending a series of workshops to gain expertise from innovators in printmaking. As a pilot to this, New York artist and educator Dan Welden, provided a taster session at Peacock Visual Arts, Castle Street, last month.

Hertfordshire Vice-Chancellor delivers seminar on business interaction

Professor Tim Wilson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, addressed over 40 staff from across the University in a seminar entitled ‘Creating a Business Facing University – The University of Hertfordshire Experience’, on 20 August.

The University has developed a ‘Business Interaction Strategy’ to contribute to the quality of teaching, research and student­ Dan Welden at Peacock Visual Arts. experience as well as supporting financial sustainability, by increased interaction with both the private and public sectors. Dan, who utilises sunlight to create images on a printable matrix, is sharing his knowledge of ‘Solarplate’, a method of printmaking he Deans and staff from all faculties and support departments joined brought to the US. The planned Summer School will cover a range to hear Professor Wilson share his experiences from Hertfordshire, of methods and processes, centring on innovations in printmaking where he embarked on a business interaction strategy and focused practice, so Dan’s class provides a very apt preview. the University to be unambiguously ‘business facing’. A number of other leading artists have already agreed to take part Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Pittilo said: “As we in the Summer School next year, including Don Messec, director move forward, it is important to connect with those who have of Makingartsafely in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Elspeth Lamb, a embarked on a similar journey, so that we can share experiences Scottish artist who works with papermaking and traditional Japanese and learn from each other. Professor Wilson’s visit was extremely woodblock printing. It is estimated that each week-long workshop beneficial, highlighting the challenges and rewards of interacting will cost around £300. with industry.” For more information contact Lennox Dunbar on 01224 263694.

Measuring up Anthropometry is the science of acquiring dimensional measurements of the human body, and standardising the way this is done ensures reliability and enables health, nutrition and sports professionals to be effective in their jobs.

The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry Relating surface locations to the skeletal structure underneath, or (ISAK) runs training and examination courses in over 40 countries, “landmarking”, together with precise techniques which underpin and Robert Gordon University has hosted these since 2005. accurate measuring, are fundamental elements of anthropometry, and all candidates passed their practical exam. The course also Dr Arthur Stewart, Deputy Director of The Centre for Obesity provided CORE with an opportunity to showcase its facilities for Research and Epidemiology (CORE), and Vice-President of ISAK, body image analysis, body composition using the BODPOD system, ran a four day course at St Andrew Street in June for health and the 3D whole body laser scanner. professionals from across the UK, and as far afield as Kazakhstan.

4 LESSONS IN LEARNING Three new Teaching Fellows has produced with the help of system at School Computing. Professor John McCall and Janie Sinclair show off the painting appointed in the School of Computing Dr Garry Brindley, Dr Roger McDermott and Mr Gordon Eccleston have been appointed as Teaching Fellows in the University’s School of Computing.

The School has a well deserved reputation for developing and promoting innovative teaching and learning activities. The three Teaching Fellows have taken a lead on radically changing the School’s foundation year and pioneering technology-based teaching activities such as the use of social networking tools to support reflection and student contributions to teaching.

University-supported project The first year experience has been noteworthy in its student feedback and the external recognition. The team have been active sees school pupil ‘painting by in promoting the lessons from the project across the university and numbers’ externally via HEA workshops. Dedicated Alford Academy pupil Janie Sinclair has (left to right) Dr Garry Brindley, Dr spent her summer break completing a six-week Roger McDermott and Mr Gordon project at Robert Gordon University. Eccleston from the University’s School of Computing Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, a charitable trust that has supported innovative research and development in education for over 50 years, Janie, who has just begun her final year at school, has been looking into the possibilities of computer generated art.

Under the supervision of Professor John McCall of the University’s School of Computing, Janie has come up with an interactive system that can produce fractal scribbles. Far from setting loose the Da Vinci of the computer world, Janie’s system could be a useful compositional tool for abstract artists.

Professor McCall explained: “Janie’s system could be of benefit to the art world, supporting, rather than replacing, the creative process. It has been a pleasure to work with someone so young who is so enthusiastic and I am really pleased with the end result.”

Meet the scientist at Aberdeen’s Satrosphere Scientists from Aberdeen’s two universities took part in a free event at Satrosphere Science Centre in August, which celebrated Scotland’s great scientific minds.

Created to mark Scotland’s year of Homecoming, highlights for Dr Owen said: “As our technological prowess has advanced in the visitors included the opportunity to meet Dr Alan Owen, Director last 150 years, western societies have largely forgotten that humans of the University’s Centre for Understanding Sustainable are part of the Earth’s natural systems. Energy resources are already Practice, and Dr Beth Scott from the University of Aberdeen, facing significant challenges.” who are working together on research into renewable energy systems. Dr Scott is a marine ecologist who uses a combination of human observers and underwater equipment to understand how fish and As a mechanical engineering specialist in renewable energy, seabirds use changes in tides to help them capture their food. Dr Owen is heavily involved in progressing the University’s sustainability strategy. He not only lectures in renewable She said: “Engineers need to know how tidal flows ‘behave’ in the energy, but also has a great deal of experience in leading real world and seabirds very visibly change their behaviours when a waste conscious lifestyle. He lived on a completely self there are even just subtle changes in the tidal flows. Combining our sufficient croft for three years in the 1990s and has reduced approaches will help speed up the process of discovering where the his domestic heating energy consumption by 68% in the last best locations are for high rewards in renewable energy extraction five years. and low risk of endangering marine animals.”

5 CELEBRATING SUCCESS Alison Ho Award-winning Life is just a game Gray’s graduate for Design for launches special Digital Media exhibition in graduate Aberdeen An award-winning Design for Award-winning artist and designer, Digital Media graduate has Libby Day, who graduated from seen his third computer game Gray’s School of Art last year, is hit the market place, and is now seeing her career go from strength working as part of a cutting- to strength after winning a Craft edge team developing games Makers Award from Aberdeenshire for the i-Phone. Council and the Scottish Art Council.

The Award has given Libby the opportunity to create a collection of metal vessels entitled ‘Surfacing Complexity, Surfacing Simplicity’, which was on display at Media graduate on Aberdeen’s Art Centre in August. Libby’s lighting, furniture, interiors and Far East odyssey jewellery designs are inspired by natural structures in comparison to urbanism. Recent Media Studies graduate, Using a combination of her individual sketches and models, she converts them Alison Ho, has jetted off to the into computerised drawings similar to Far East to explore her Chinese those of engineering technologists in heritage as part of the Study order to turn the intricate patterns of her China Programme 2009. imagination into designs. Having graduated from Gray’s School of Alison, a former pupil of Peterhead Art with a First Class Honours degree in Academy, fought off stiff competition to Three Dimensional Design, and with a be one of only 30 candidates in Scotland commendation award from BP, Libby has to be selected for the prestigious Rory Fraser who now works in Dundee to now had five major exhibitions based in Programme. Funded by the Department pursue his love of developing computer for Innovation, Universities and Skills London, and , one of games, graduated with a First Class (DIUS) and the Scottish Government, which was Grand Designs, London. Honours degree from Gray’s School of Art and managed by the University of last year. Manchester’s Centre for Chinese Studies, the Programme offers students an Having embarked on a work placement opportunity to engage with the Chinese with Dynamo Games during his university language, culture and burgeoning studies, Rory was employed part-time by economy. the company while he finished his degree and was offered a full-time position upon Alison explained that her major motivation his successful completion of the course. for applying for the Programme was her Chinese background. “The Chinese Football Tycoon is the third game Rory has culture has always been of interest to me, seen hit the market place since he began obviously because it is in my nature. For his professional career, and he hopes this example, for my final year dissertation, will be just as successful as the last. The I researched the effects media Crystal Maze hit the number one spot consumption can have on cultural identity on the mobile games chart and stuck within the Chinese community.” there for a staggering five weeks, while Championship Manager won a Scottish Alison set off on her travels in August. She BAFTA for ‘Best Interactive Game’. spent three weeks studying at Shandong University in Jinan, during which time Rory explained, “It feels really good seeing she met Chinese students, learn about your game out on the market place and Confucianism, Qilu culture and calligraphy, it is great to get feedback from people as well as visit local families and heritage who have actually bought the game. All sites such as the Yellow River and Confucius the reviews so far seem positive. Now I’m Temple. After the Programme, Alison also working on games for the i-Phone - it is travelled further afield in China, visiting fantastic designing for such an innovative Beijing and Shanghai. platform!”

6 CELEBRATING SUCCESS CELEBRATING SUCCESS Scottish competitor is Pony Club Fraser Reid at his exhibit. Fraser champion, even without a horse! Robert Gordon University sports scholar Rebecca Stephen from Whiterashes, Aberdeenshire, came top of the Pony Club Championships, which were held in Derbyshire in August.

Rebecca has enjoyed an outstanding year in her sport so far, with her British universities team triumphing at the national competition and going on to achieve third place at the International University Equestrian Federation’s Student Riders Nations Cup in July. In addition, Rebecca’s International University Equestrian Federation team was ranked World Number 1 for dressage at another international event at the beginning of the year.

At Pony Club Championships in August, Rebecca won against all the odds. She had qualified to take part in the Open Eventing Mastering the art of making but when her horse Maggie became seriously ill the night before, Rebecca was devastated. Help was at hand, however, tacky materials appealing when fellow team-mate Harriet Baird offered to lend Rebecca her second horse, Fingal, which she’d brought down to take The Gray’s School of Art Postgraduate Degree Show took part in another discipline.

place last month. One design student exhibiting was Fraser Rebecca added: “I had a quick practice the Reid, who became a master of making tacky materials more night before and decided to go for it. The standard of competition was higher than I appealing. had previously competed at and I knew I was going to be especially nervous. Fingal did a good dressage test, went clear cross- Entitled ‘Tales of the Absurd’, Fraser’s unusual take on ‘Big Brother’ as part country and only had one pole down in the project was all about using cheap and of her exhibit. Forget people though, show jumping. It was quite surreal and just tacky materials for different uses. Due to Deborah is concerned with the brilliant that I ended up winning my arena!” the current state of the economy, a lot of surveillance of nature. She found a pond design art has ground to a halt because near her house on the Drum Castle it usually uses high end materials. Fraser Estate to be a hive of activity and just one was trying to prove that you can change example of all the little pockets of nature the materials used for designs which can that she feels should be watched, cared still be really effective. for and sustained.

Using a combination of loft insulation Her installation included a film showing and polystyrene sheets, Fraser made an of the pond on six TV screens, as well unusual sofa, as well as some chairs that as light boxes highlighting photos of have been re-upholstered to become the pond’s animals and insects, and bubbly-looking, colourful and shiny. a separate area which was set up as a Using wood glue and raw merino wool, makeshift laboratory. The laboratory he also experimented with designs for an further underlines Deborah’s idea of unusual, large lightshade. examining nature, and even included a fume cupboard which aimed to reflect Another exhibitor was Deborah Wickham the importance of keeping people safe (37), a sculptor who showcased her from pollution.

7 Gray’s Professor exhibits in Hungary Professor Lennox Dunbar from Gray’s School of Art Fine Art Department, currently has a solo exhibition at the Municipal Museum of Art in Gyor, Hungary. This exhibition was the consequence of winning a major award at ‘MATRICES’ an exhibition of contemporary Printmaking, which was held in Hungary in 2007.

The 30 new works are digital prints and RGU:UNION refurbishment were created specifically for this exhibition. They will be published in a catalogue which On Tuesday 11 August, Principal Mike Pittilo ‘cut the red ribbon’, to accompanies the exhibit. officially declare the newly refurbished Student Association open. The exhibition runs until 15 November. It is hoped that the exhibition will tour various Students at the University are now able to enjoy the improved facilities offered by RGU: galleries in the UK on its return. Union, after a two month refurbishment project.

The theme and layout of the building has been redesigned to enhance the experiences of students and staff. The first floor café kitchen has been remodelled and fitted with top of the range equipment to give greater catering facilities, and the menu has also been given a makeover with new low-fat and healthier options.

The second floor bar has also benefitted from a complete rebuild, with improved accessibility and a bar service area which has doubled in size.

Other changes to the building have been designed to help students get the best from group work areas, social spaces and free wireless internet access.

Student President Ross Murchison said, “At a cost of over a quarter of a million pounds, this project is a vital investment by the University, highlighting its commitment to provide a modern Union for current and future students, maximising the student experience. The refurbishment has been a long time in the planning and implementation, and would not have been successful without the commitment of Christine Buchanan, Dean of Students, and Union General Manager, Michelle Collie.”

One of Professor Dunbar’s artworks.

Student nurse exchange reinforces Grampian-Houston link A special reception was held at the University in August to welcome two student nurses from Houston to Aberdeen as part of an ongoing exchange programme.

Now in its 14th year, the Grampian-Houston Student Nurse Exchange Programme involves a reciprocal two-week exchange between the University and the Houston Baptist University (HBU), Texas. HBU students visit Aberdeen for two weeks before the selected RGU students venture to Houston in October.

During the visits, students experience a variety of different clinical placements, as well as spending time in the host university attending classes and getting to know the local students. The exchange allows the students involved to compare and contrast the health and educational systems of the countries involved.

(From left to right): Darien Ruiz, a student nurse from Houston Baptist University; Dr Ruth Taylor, Associate Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery; Gillian McRobie, student nurse; Jennie Parry, former Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery; Mr Stephen O’Brien, Associate Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery; Jane McNicol, a student nurse, all from RGU, and Ana Mendez, a visiting student nurse from Houston Baptist University.

8 Engineering. his placement at Schoolhill Hydraulic MEng student Saurabh Kaushal at

Taking on engineering placement students is a ‘win-win’ situation for companies

For any engineering student a lack of 80 of engineering student placements each practical experience can often seem an year. She said: “I often hear employers to our summer projects we interviewed insurmountable hurdle when seeking referring to the placement experience them to find out what subjects they are that first graduate job. Likewise, for as a ‘win-win situation’. The benefits studying to obtain the best fit for our three oil and gas employers, the search for to students are self-evident but for month projects. The students work over a work-ready graduate can prove a organisations, the contribution made by the summer months has proved to be an frustrating one. these highly motivated team members who excellent resource for us. quickly adapt, often bringing fresh insights Work placements aim to bridge the gap and solutions to age-old problems can “The Engineering Placement Programme between education and employment, giving prove invaluable. allows us to assess the students’ ability to students a valuable opportunity to put their ascertain whether they could be potential learning into practice while giving employers successful candidates in our annual “The two placements are ideally carried access to the innovative ideas and up-to-date graduate recruitment programme. Over the out with the same organisation. In between skills of tomorrow’s professionals. years, we have been continually impressed these placements in their fourth year, the by the calibre of the students we have student carries out a real life project which Taking on a placement student can bring employed as a result of the University’s is set by the placement organisation. This on board a plethora of advantages to placement programme.” means that if the organisation is happy any organisation. While enhancing the with the student, they can have the benefit company profile by engaging future This year ICS Triplex has taken on Robert of their work for eighteen months over a graduates, organisations will gain young Gordon University students for the first three three year period, and have built up and dynamic team players with extensive time. Julie Downie, ICS’s HR Adviser, said: enough of a relationship to know if they vocational training in their chosen field. “When we attended recruitment fairs last would be right for their organisation - year we found that final year students getting first choice of the new graduates.” The School of Engineering operate a had already secured graduate jobs with unique fast-track undergraduate Masters companies they had previously carried out programme where students complete Placement Programmes establish a reliable placements with. We felt we were missing their degree over a four year period, rather and cost-effective recruiting ground for out on a wealth of new talent so began a than five years, which is the norm at most many organisations. The University’s placement partnership with the University Scottish universities. To enable students engineering placement partnerships and took on three of their students. to obtain the academic requirements in include Dril-Quip, Matrikon, Aker this time frame, students are required to Solutions, ICS Triplex, Sonomatic, Hallin “The student gets the opportunity to complete two paid industrial placements, Marine, Talisman, AMEC, AGR, FMC work both in our Aberdeen office and our one at the end of third year, and one at the Technology, Bureau Veritas, KCA Deutag. Head Office in Maldon, Essex. They are end of fourth year, each for a minimum of All are eager to take on budding young able to take on the responsibility of junior ten weeks. engineers who can quickly adapt and management and their placements rotate contribute at a favourable cost. through the life cycle of a project from At the end of their second placement, sales to quotation, assembly, packing and students will be able to demonstrate skills Aker Solutions have participated in the shipping, installation and commission or in project planning, team work, technical, University’s placement programme for research and development. professional and personal development, several years. Morven Spalding, HR communication and staff relations. They Adviser for Organisational Development, “We are finding these placements should be equipped to apply the theories, said: “Aker Solutions normally take on extremely beneficial as we will be able models, concepts and principals learned mechanical engineering students for to build up a relationship with students through their academic study in the our subsea tree systems department, who, on graduating, become prospective workplace and recognise and appraise their which focuses on the technology and employees and we have access to the strengths and weaknesses as a potential hardware at the heart of oil and gas subsea cream of the crop.” Chartered Engineer / Engineering Manager. production systems.This year we have expanded our placement opportunities For further information contact Val Val Cheetham, Placement Office Manager which now include electrical and electronic Cheetham on 01224 262344 or for the Faculty of Design and Technology engineering students. To match the [email protected] is responsible for organising approximately students current skills set and know-how

9 and bookable studios. The building’s corrugated metal exterior is influenced by local industry and the use of exposed structural timber panels for all wall, roof and floor elements lends the interiors an equally strong material presence. The relationship between an inventively connected suite of rooms and the views over the Moray Firth is particularly compelling.

Greig said, “The Centre aims to subtly shift the way the community approaches learning by integrating flexible IT spaces, an educational library and bookable classroom/ studio spaces with various community facilities. The centre sits on the coastal edge offering romantic views north across the Architecture student commended for Moray Firth, its form reminiscent of quartzite stone formations found along the north east Buckie project coast of Scotland.”

Graeme Paterson, Architecture Course Scott Sutherland School architecture student Greig Penny has Leader at the School, said, “This is a tremendous achievement for Greig and his had his design for a Community and Learning Resource Centre in tutor, Louise Hunter, of Acanthus Douglas Buckie commended by the prestigious architects’ weekly publication Forrest Architects in Huntly.” Building Design Magazine’s ‘ Class of 2009: Top Six Graduating Four of the six students selected were from Diploma Students’. London schools of architecture, the fifth from Sheffield, making Greig the sole representative Developed in response to an assessment of the real needs of a small community in the north from the five Scottish architecture schools for of Scotland, Greig’s project accommodates a library, café, IT facilities, start-up office space this prestigious award.

Charity donation accelerates research into genetic disease Research into a rare genetic disease which can cause kidney failure if left untreated will soon be taking a step forward at the University thanks to a significant donation of £5400 by the Cystinosis Foundation UK.

The charity funded a refrigerated “A number of prodrugs have now been to be prepared at low temperatures centrifuge for the University’s School of made and tested for their ability to deplete for analysis, and will speed up the Pharmacy and Life Sciences to enable cells of cystine. We are now working to development of future prodrugs. researchers there to accelerate their make our drugs even more potent and to research into treatments for cystinosis. investigate whether the prodrugs are active The centrifuge was handed over by in animal models of the disease. Medical Aberdeenshire family Roy, Vicky and Cystinosis is characterised by a build-up of research of this type is expensive and we Lena Forsyth. Roy and Vicky have the amino acid cystine, in all the tissues of are grateful to Cystinosis Foundation-UK become active members of the Cystinosis the body, which can cause crystals to form, for continued research funding.” Foundation UK since their daughter Lena resulting in widespread organ damage. If , (7) was diagnosed with cystinosis when untreated, those affected by the disease The centrifuge will allow biological she was just seven months old. face death at a young age. The only drug samples, such as cultured cystinotic cells, treatment available is cysteamine, which must be taken every six hours for life. Unfortunately, it has a number of very serious side effects, as well as possessing (left to right) Vicky, Lena, Roy Forsyth and Professor an extremely unpleasant taste and smell, Don Cairns, handing over the centrifuge from the Cystinosis Foundation UK to Professor Donald Cairns, so much so that many patients do not take Associate Head of the School of Pharmacy and Life their medication. Sciences.

The team of researchers – Professor Donald Cairns, Dr Graeme Kay, Dr Rachel Knott, Dr Alberto di Salvo, Dr Ziad Omran and Ms Barbara Buchan – have been carrying out research into cysteamine in an attempt to decrease the unpleasant taste and smell of the drug. As Professor Cairns explains, “We are making prodrugs of cysteamine. These are pharmacologically inactive molecules which are taken into the body and then activated to release the active agent. In this way we can ‘chemically camouflage’ the taste and smell, and make it much more palatable for patients.

10 Enweazu Ajiduah, who is originally from Delta State, Nigeria, and has been leading plans for the book, explained: “Robert Gordon University offers a nice environment with friendly people. Each one of us on the course has completed an industry placement and it was really this that gave us inspiration to find a way to target these organisations, explaining what we could offer.”

Unlike a year book you might expect to pick up from a secondary school, the students’ Awam James, Ajiduah publication is very formal and has been Enweazu and Obienu Nnamdi. produced to a very high spec. Hot off the press, the publication is now ready for distribution. Students sell themselves sharp Fellow student Nnamdi Obienu from Anambra State, also in Nigeria, added: “We have a lot to offer employers. Members Nearly one hundred students studying for a postgraduate qualification in of our cohort were awarded the Project Project Management at Aberdeen Business School have produced a year Management Award by the Association of book that they plan to use to market themselves to prospective employers. Project Management this year, coming up trumps against their counterparts from across the UK. Many of those involved are international This is a novel achievement as it is the first students and also see the year book as a great project of its kind to be initiated and executed “I believe placements are the best way to way to keep in touch, as well as using it as by students themselves. further the knowledge you gain at University a supplement to their CV and a tool to help and it was definitely a selling point of the promote the University they think so highly of. They have dedicated a section of the course for me. I spent eight weeks working publication to every participating student, for Wood Group and was challenged use my During the second semester of their giving each an opportunity to sell lengthy notes in practical applications. year-long course, the Aberdeen Business themselves in a similar format to a CV. School students came up with the idea for The group has also included a number of “Robert Gordon University was recommended the book and enlisted the support of the pages on the Robert Gordon University to me by friends and when I discovered University’s in-house Gatehouse Design and experience, describing what they have the course was designed for industry, Print Consultancy, as well as Professor Rita enjoyed about studying, both at the professionally accredited and boasted modern Marcella, Dean of their School, and lecturers. University and in the city of Aberdeen. facilities, there was no other option.” University singing group celebrates Research Centre album, gigs and hunt for a master! knits well with A group of students, support staff and lecturers are working in harmony together to take their shared love of singing to new places. fabric supplier An innovative collaboration between the University’s Advanced Materials and Biomaterials Research Centre, and leading global textile supplier Replin Fabrics, has recently reached a successful culmination.

Recognising that academic assistance (Left to right) Judith Logan, Kathleen Scott, Julia Kennedy, Frieda Morrison, would help them understand and diversify Joyce Clark, Lindsey Watson and Linzi Boyle into the latest key trends in smart textiles, the company contacted Interface – the knowledge connection for business. After Formed less than a year ago with the The singers’ mission is to raise money undertaking a search to locate relevant backing of Frieda Morrison, one of for various charities. They are currently expertise across Scotland, Interface went Scotland’s best loved broadcasters, the preparing for a number of charity events, on to broker links between Professor Bob RGU: Singers are thriving. As well as hoping to take part in as many as possible Bradley and Replin. having a number of gigs lined up, the and raise as much cash as time allows. group also ventured into the recording Professor Bradley then assisted in recruiting studio recently to provide the backing Group administrator, Julia Kennedy Dr John Muri to join the company, who vocals for Frieda’s new album. They were explained: “We just enjoy singing and brought with him the necessary expertise in also crowned ‘Best New Society’ at a it’s great to do what you love for a good textile engineering and production. recent University awards ceremony. cause. It is also brilliant to be part of such a successful group and wonderful for both David Breckenridge, Managing Director of Their latest quest, though, is to find a choir myself and Frieda to receive recognition Replin Fabrics, professed his delight with master who can help them to achieve new from the University for our efforts in the result, saying, “Through working with goals and prepare for forthcoming events. leading and administering the society.” Professor Bradley on an ‘expert opinion’ As well as conducting, they are looking for basis, the process was a great deal more someone who can play keyboard and For more information, or to book the focused on our requirements.” support them in action. And most of all, group for your special occasion, contact they have to have a sense of humour! Julia Kennedy on 01224 262160.

11 Local midwives and ‘You’re Fired!’ Chance to investigate educators welcome Researchers propose returning to learning President of the Royal alternative models for College of Midwives to A Postgraduate and Part-time Open entrepreneurship Evening took place at the University at Aberdeen the end of August. Dr Rob Smith, a lecturer in business Liz Stephens, President of the Royal and management at Aberdeen Members of the public took advantage College of Midwives (RCM), visited Business School, is looking to change of the informal drop-in session to find out colleagues from the School of Nursing the way we think about entrepreneurs, more about what the University has to and Midwifery, as well as those from in light of the current economic crisis. offer and how straightforward it can be to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital in August. continue or return to learning, boost career Dr Smith is co-editing a special edition prospects or find success in a new field. of a prestigious international journal in collaboration with Dr Lorraine Warren of The event took place at the Faculty of Southampton University. For their part Health and Social Care Building, and each in David Boje’s Tamara Journal, they are of the University’s three faculties were inviting contributions that consider how represented. alternative accounts of entrepreneurship may shape or be shaped by a changing economic order.

There is a long tradition in the Western media of valorising entrepreneurs as mavericks. For some entrepreneurs, this brings an acceptance of what might otherwise be deemed brutal behaviour, Midwifery students Lesley-Anne Burgess and Monica were it not for the magic cloak of Wilton (far left and right) show off their presentation entrepreneurial licence. For example, Alan on a recent trip to Ethiopia to Gillian Smith, Director of the RCM UK Board for Scotland, and Liz Stephens, Sugar’s catchphrase ‘You’re Fired!’ has President of the Royal College of Midwives. become part of the lexicon in the UK.

Liz was accompanied by Gillian Smith, Together with Dr Warren, Dr Smith Director of the RCM UK Board for Scotland is looking at the issue of ‘Restoring and both had the opportunity to meet entrepreneurship in a changing world’, student midwives as well as experienced and focusing on values-driven enterprise, professionals, before taking a tour of facilities instead of the kind of practice that is Original FM DJ Martin Ingram broadcasting live from at both the University and the Hospital, and increasingly associated with the reckless the Open Evening. enjoyed lunch with her hosts. behaviour that has caused the current economic crisis. Jenny McNicol, Acting Head of Midwifery at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, sees the visit Contribution topics may include EVENTS DIARY 2009 as helping to further enhance the profile of globalisation, technological change, For further information on all events, visit: the midwifery profession in order to deliver expressions of humour and cultural www.rgu.ac.uk/news/eventsdiary a first class service to women, babies and movements. families. OCTOBER For more information, please contact 6 Professorial Lecture Susan Gibb, a Senior Lecturer in Midwifery, Dr Smith, lecturer in policy leadership and Professor Paul Spicker explained: “This is a brilliant opportunity for management, on 01224 263922 or via us to showcase the excellent facilities that we [email protected]. have here. The state-of-the-art Clinical Skills 7 Open Day Centre at the University allows our students to develop their skills in a real life setting and working closely with healthcare professionals 21 Careers Fair at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital ensures our NOVEMBER graduates are well prepared to deliver the best care possible.” 7 Open Day 9 - 13 ABS International Week 2009 12 Leadership Lecture - Lord David Trimble DECEMBER 3-4 Winter Graduation Ceremonies at the Music Hall 11- 13 MacMillan Art Exhibition 16 Christmas Carol Service The Robert Gordon University, a Scottish charity registered under charity number SCO13781 Designed and printed by The Gatehouse The Robert Gordon University, a Scottish charity registered under number SCO13781 Designed and

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