In this issue: Celebration of Carols Making a meal of it Transforming healthcare Ancient Egypt on tour Calling time on poor pub access CONVERSATION AND NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN SUMMER 2018 UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN VOICE In this issue: 01 CALLING TIME ON POOR PUB ACCESS 02 MAKING A MEAL OF IT 04 STARS ALIGN FOR CELEBRATION OF CAROLS 06 COME HEELS OR HIGH WATER 08 RETURN TO GLORY FOR HISTORIC PAINTINGS 09 BRIGHTEST MINDS TO SHINE AT A word from the Principal NEW SCIENCE TEACHING HUB 10 LEARNING SCOTLAND’S STORY Welcome to the Summer 2018 edition of Voice magazine. HERE, ANYWHERE... As I prepare for my retirement this summer, I have the opportunity 11 CREATING OPPORTUNITIES to reflect on what has been a hugely enjoyable nine years as Principal IN QATAR and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen. 12 TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE I am very proud to be leaving the University in good shape, and our 14 STAY CONNECTED recent performance in the Complete University Guide - where we recorded the biggest rise of any of last year’s top 50 universities and 15 HONORARY GRADUATES moved into the top 30 of the main league table for the first time - 16 MAKING MEMORIES is testament to this. This achievement would not have been possible without the 18 NEWS FROM OUR CAMPUS commitment to excellence and professionalism of our staff, which is a 20 UPCOMING EVENTS hallmark of the University of Aberdeen experience that our graduates 21 ANCIENT EGYPT ON TOUR carry into their lives and careers. During my time as Principal and Vice-Chancellor I have come to appreciate the huge contribution made by you, our alumni community, not only to the University itself, but to the wider world. Editor: Robert Turbyne Recent research showed the University as being the best in Communications Officer Scotland and among the top 20 in the world for producing top-flight [email protected] company chief executives. Across a range of disciplines, our graduates Published by Communications: are making a real and valuable impact in the world, and many of these Designed by Media Services: IT Services, achievements are reflected in this latest edition of Voice. University of Aberdeen From entrepreneurship to sporting success, campaigning and Voice Photography by Media Services: fundraising, our alumni are a continual source of pride for the IT Services, University of Aberdeen University, and we value your continued support locally, nationally, VOICE Magazine, and internationally. University of Aberdeen, King’s College With that, I would like to wish you all the very best in the future as Aberdeen, Scotland AB24 3FX I bid a fond farewell to the University and welcome our new Principal, Professor George Boyne, who joins us from Cardiff University. As a native Aberdonian his appointment is very much a As part of our ongoing commitment to homecoming for Professor Boyne, and I’m sure you will join me in sustainability the University has made Voice wishing him well in his new role. magazine available in electronic format. If you would prefer to receive your copy in this way please email [email protected] Professor Sir Ian Diamond, FBA, FRSE, FAcSS Principal and Vice-Chancellor Remember you can also keep up-to-date with University news at www.abdn.ac.uk/news FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @AbdnUniAlumni ADD US TO FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ AberdeenUniversityAlumni or www.facebook.com/universityofaberdeen VOICE | 01 CALLING TIME ON POOR PUB ACCESS Over the last eight years I have campaigned on my own to get this through, and I’m pleased that eventually my hard work and persistence has paid off. Mark Cooper, Image by Mchael Boyd/boydpics.com For University of Aberdeen “The initial campaign period only lasted 13 months before the law was passed, but it graduate Mark Cooper, a night was held up because the government had That incident, he explained, was the spur he out on the town has long other priorities,” he explained. “Over the last needed to finally take action on a problem eight years I have campaigned on my own that had dogged him all the way back to his brought added complications to get this through, and I’m pleased that days as a student. that most people never have eventually my hard work and persistence Now that the law has been enacted, to contend with. has paid off.” he can take pride in a job well done while As well as focusing licensees’ minds continuing to campaign for better access. As a wheelchair user, 33-year-old Mark’s on the importance of providing disabled “My hope is that when the law is more social life has been regularly dictated by access, the amendment to the Criminal established, disabled students can just go the availability - or otherwise - of accessible Justice and Licensing Act now helps people out like any other student would, without disabled facilities in pubs and clubs. like Mark find accessible venues more easily. having to be so concerned about access But instead of accepting this situation Mark’s background as a Politics and issues. as the status quo, he has campaigned to International Relations graduate provided a “Now that license applications have to bring about a change in the law that now firm grounding in parliamentary procedure, include information on disabled access, my requires publicans to declare how accessible which along with his tenacious personality hope is that people will be able to go online their premises are for disabled users in their stood him in good stead when it came to and find all of the relevant information they application for a drinks license. campaigning for change. need, such as which pubs and clubs have For Mark, who started his Barred! He now hopes the new rules will help floor-level access, or a large print menu. campaign in 2009, it has been a long road to others who may find themselves in a similar “Ultimately that is what I want the reach his destination. situation to the one he found himself in change to be - I want people to have access Even though the Scottish Government back in 2009, when a night out in Edinburgh to this information, so all they need to do is changed the law in 2010, it only came into was disrupted when he discovered the only choose where to go, instead of having that effect on March 30th this year. toilets in a pub were down a flight of stairs. uncertainty in the first place.” UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN VOICE | 02 It hasn’t been an easy journey but we’ve held true to our love of bringing people together and we’re delighted with what we’ve achieved. Top L/R: Sandy McKinnon, Laura Poppe and Stuart Ross VOICE | 03 Making a meal of it Aberdeen has seen an “I’ve always been interested in film and “The degree programme I completed radio and we even did a Dr Who podcast, provided me with the basic skills and explosion of independent which at one point was the number one knowledge that I needed to start my own cafés and restaurants in Dr Who podcast in the world!” business - I just wasn’t sure what that Despite his interest in the world of would be! recent years and University entertainment, Sandy wanted to run his “I used to walk past an empty café of Aberdeen graduates have own business and after graduation in 2008 every day on the way to uni and began to played a key role in the city’s he took the first steps on his Foodstory imagine how I could bring it back to life.” journey. That empty café in Old Aberdeen would culinary renaissance, setting As is the case in all good stories, there prove to be the first Grub restaurant, up their own businesses have been a few twists and turns and situated in a prime location to cater for Sandy’s first taste of running his own students on their way to and from lectures. to cater for the growing business was a bitter one. “As a hungry student, I craved appetite for fresh food The money he and best friend Lara wholesome food at an affordable price saved to buy the business was lost due and I consider this our core principle at with a difference. Here we to a misleading investment opportunity, Grub,” Stuart said. find out more about their and their remaining savings were used to “I loved my time at uni, and although journeys to food heaven… buy premises that turned out to be sub- I had to brave the bitter Aberdeen wind let, leaving them with nothing more than on the walk to lectures, it gave me the a name. opportunity to dream!” Foodstory Despite these setbacks, the optimistic A near-catastrophic business deal, a last- duo set up a crowdfunding campaign Bagels & Stuff ditch crowdfunding appeal and a large and within little more than a month had Laura Poppe took an unconventional route helping of enthusiasm have all been key managed to raise the money needed to to running her own business when she ingredients in the success of Foodstory - make the business their own. embarked upon a sociology degree. Aberdeen’s first veggie/vegan focused café. The result is a vibrant, unique, quirky While working hard on her studies, Laura For owners Sandy McKinnon and Lara café that is bursting with a mixture of kept up her part-time job at Highland Bishop, business ideas grow as organically diners looking to sample the huge range Cuisine in Inverurie, where she worked as as the produce they serve up at the quirky of organic, locally-sourced and largely (but an events manager after completing her Thistle Street establishment, and a new not exclusively) vegan dishes cooked fresh degree.