EDINBURGH 2013 5 INSIDE GLOBAL ACADEMIES A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS THE REBIRTH OF EDINBURGH GENOMICS OUR FRIENDS A pathway to success 4 The story of Megan McGregor, a fourth year student who has received the support of a Pathways to the Professions bursary Contents Words of support 6 Derek and Maureen Moss tell us what motivates the support that has led to them receiving University Benefactor status Getting involved 6 Cover feature: How charity events can help vital research into serious diseases EDINBURGH The University’s 2013 5 Global Academies A step forward for the Dick Vet 7 A new appeal aims to equip the Vet School with are offering a new life-saving equipment way for researchers from disparate The rebirth of Edinburgh Genomics 8 disciplines to How a new genetic sequencing facility at King’s Buildings will play a part in the Edinburgh genomics revolution INSIDE work together on GLOBAL ACADEMIES A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS THE REBIRTH OF EDINBURGH GENOMICS OUR FRIENDS worldwide issues. Preserving the past for the future 12 A visit to the treasures of the University’s Special Cover illustration Collections, a focus for determined conservation efforts For the first time in its history, the cover of Edinburgh Friends has been illustrated by one of the University’s students. A competition was held which saw Q & A: Safety first 14 fourth year students on the Edinburgh College of Art’s Illustration programme Dr Rory Hadden answers questions about the future compete to win the commission to interpret our cover story as an illustration. The of fire safety research at the University of Edinburgh winning student, Laura Griffin, explains the inspiration behind her drawing: “The competition was a great way for me to feel engaged with the Global Academies 16 University as a whole. It was also a challenging brief to interpret. The problem of healthcare provision in India is being I broke down all the components of the cover story into the main themes represented – health, development, justice and environment – and addressed by the University’s new multi-disciplinary academies simplified them into easily identifiable symbols. I focused on the concept of interdisciplinary research, visualising a cover that associated a variety of Space for solutions 20 ideas together as an interconnected structure of unity, research, education and the city of Edinburgh itself. I wanted to convey the idea of this High School Yards is given a new lease of life as the structure being supported by collaboration to reach a future ambition.” Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation moves in Scholarships 22 Would you like to share your own story about why you One company’s efforts to give back to the community, support the University? Visit our website to find out and a look at the University’s hopefuls for the Glasgow 2014 how you can: www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/yournews Commonwealth Games Published by Development & Alumni Engagement The year in numbers 23 The University of Edinburgh, Charles Stewart House, Where do our donors come from and just how much 9–16 Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1HT, UK do they give? T: +44 (0)131 650 2240 E: [email protected] www.ed.ac.uk/alumni Ready for their close up 24 A new documentary tells the story of alumni who received Editor: Brian Campbell [email protected] financial support as students. We talk to two of them Contributors: Cameron Conant, Lisa Drysdale, Catherine Lichten Cover illustration: Laura Griffin lauragriffinillustration.com Design: Hookson hookson.com A legacy of support 26 Photographers: Nick Callaghan, Douglas Robertson How Mary Mackenzie’s legacy will support the special Print: Allander allander.com projects of students and researchers The University of Edinburgh, Registered Charity No SC005336. Our friends 28 The University of Edinburgh Development Our way of saying thank you: a list of our donors and Trust Registered Charity No SC004307. pledgers in the last academic year 2 EDINBURGH FRIENDS STORY TITLEINTRODUCTION PLACED HERE Note to friends The University of Edinburgh has had a remarkable year. Not only did we rise to 17th place in the highly-regarded QS World Rankings, but Professor Peter Higgs, one of our most accomplished academics, also received the Nobel Prize in Physics. Our students and researchers continue to thrive. Over 30% of undergraduates and 50% of postgraduates are now from an international background, figures that reflect our global aspirations, and research income has reached an all-time high of £300 million. On top of this, we continue to receive the support of our many alumni and friends. An encouraging trend to note this year is that we have seen an increase in the number of donors who are not alumni. These supporters, from all walks of life, are attracted to the amazing research carried out here, the potential of our gifted students, and the way we care for our invaluable buildings and collections. Along with our alumni and staff, these friends are crucial to our on-going success. Choosing the key events and successes of the year is difficult but I believe the selection in this edition of Friends, reflects the variety and impact of our activities. Student bursaries, for example, make a huge difference to the lives of individuals who receive them. One such student tells her story on page 4. Support for research is also crucial, showcased here with our feature on a new lectureship in Fire Safety Investigation, an area that is critical to the safety of everyone living and working in the built environment. Science remains a vital area of research for the University of Edinburgh and our focus on developments in biological sciences and the opening of the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation show our commitment to research in emerging disciplines. We are embracing a multi-disciplinary approach to world problems, too. Read about our Global Academies on page 16. Edinburgh Friends and its inspiring stories reflect your continued support, for which I am grateful. Without you we would not be able to deliver the novel, innovative interdisciplinary work that really does make a difference to people around the world. Professor Mary Bownes Senior Vice-Principal, External Engagement EDINBURGH FRIENDS 3 “What you get to see in your Megan McGregor day as a medical student is so amazing,” she enthuses. “You see people in vulnerable parts of their life and happy parts of their life, and it’s such a privilege to be involved and get to be a part of it before you’re even working.” University has given Megan A pathway exciting opportunities to continue the volunteering she did as a teenager and at the same time broaden her horizons. At the start of her first year, Megan signed up to to success the First Aid Africa Society and also the Swahili Society (among many other clubs). Having trained in first aid to STUDENT BURSARIES CONTINUE TO OFFER VITAL SUPPORT TO OUR Red Cross level during term- GIFTED UNDERGRADUATES, AS LISA DRYSDALE (SOCIOLOGY 1999) FOUND time, Megan took to the African continent for six weeks over OUT WHEN SHE SPOKE TO A FOURTH YEAR MEDIC. the summer to teach the same skills to teenagers in a school. hen Megan aimed at offering advice for a bus pass at £40 a month is “You would see people with McGregor to local state school pupils less of a worry. simple cuts and grazes that had decided to interested in studying got infected using traditional set her sights Medicine, Law, Veterinary Most significantly, the additional ways of cleaning them, with onW a career as a doctor, she had Medicine or Architecture, and funds helped Megan to make grass and mud, which was some idea of the competition for it was through this that Megan the decision to squeeze in an just making it worse,” Megan medical school places. learned about the possibility of intercalated year in Reproductive explains. “It was nice to be able applying for a bursary. Although Biology between her second and to just teach simple skills that But with no doctors in the Megan still manages sporadic third years of Medicine. It was you knew would be effective and family and little by way of shifts at the pottery where a move that should give Megan you felt that you were perfectly careers advice offered at her she worked while at school, career advantages in future and qualified to teach. I’d love to go Edinburgh school, she didn’t her annual award of £1,000 it’s paying dividends already. to Africa again – but once I’m fully appreciate what lay ahead. is an invaluable supplement qualified and have more skills Until, that is, she took up the to her student loan. The “I was a bit doubtful about that would be useful.” invitation to join the Pathways to money has allowed Megan to applying initially because it’s a the Professions programme. purchase useful textbooks she’d whole extra year of expenses, It’s clear from speaking to otherwise have gone without as but knowing that you have the Megan that the combined “I think that Pathways provides well as buy a laptop that means bursary funding for each year can impact of Pathways and the you with the kind of support her work can travel with her to encourage you to take up these bursary has been profound. that independent schools peripheral attachments. opportunities,” she says. “I’m She is now involved with give to students applying to really glad I did because I’m keen Pathways from the other side, Medicine,” she says. “I heard Now in the clinical years, to do obstetrics and I gained so sharing her past experiences of at school that Medicine was Megan’s bursary is proving many skills in the research and the programme and her life as a competitive and you had to especially useful in paying for science side of things, an area student – and making sure that work hard in your exams.