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After the goldCelebrating the achievements of Olympian and alumna Katherine Grainger

The science ofsporting successMeet the graduates who train top athletes

AvenueThe magazine for alumni and friends of the University of Glasgow

Issue 53 January 2013

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University of Glasgow www.glasgow.ac.uk

•Inthetop100oftheworld’suniversities,according to the QS World University Rankings2012.

•Providinganexperiencethatstudentslove–the2012InternationalStudentBarometer ranks Glasgow third in the UK for international student satisfaction.

•Creatinganinternationalcommunityby welcoming students from more than 120countriesacrosstheglobe.

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How to contact Avenue

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CathyBell,AlanMacfarlane,EmilyHowie.

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Alumni news: Development&AlumniOffice,2TheSquare Tel:+44(0)1413304951Email:alumni@glasgow.ac.uk

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WelcomeWelcome to the latest edition of Avenue, our twice-yearly magazine for alumni and friends of the University.

InthisissuewecelebrateourYoungAlumnusoftheYear2012.Thisyear’swinnerisOlympicgoldmedallistKatherineGrainger(MPhil2001)whorowedtovictoryonEtonDorneyLakeduringthissummer’sLondon2012Games.Youcanreadallabouthersportingachievementsand fond memories of Glasgow in our feature After the goldonpage8. ManyofouralumniwereinvolvedintheOlympicGames,andinThe science of sporting successonpage10wemeetsomeofourgraduateswhoseskillsandexperiencegainedduring their undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University led them to help train someoftheelitemedal-winningathletesinTeamGB. ThisautumnsawtheopeningofournewWelcomePoint(seepage14).WithinformationiPadstationsandplasmascreenstohelpvisitorsfindtheirbearings,andareceptiondeskrunbyateamoffriendlyStudents’RepresentativeCouncilstaff,youcanbesurethatwheneveryoudecidetoreturntotheUniversityyou’llreceiveawarmwelcome. NotriptoGilmorehillwouldbecompletewithoutavisittooneofourimpressivecollections.Recentlyrefurbished,TheHunterian’sArtGalleryishometosomefineartworks,fromDutchMasterstoCharlesRennieMackintosh.OurfeatureCampus collectionsonpage16revealsmanyofthestaritemsandhiddentreasuresheldinourartgallery,museum,archivesandlibraryspecialcollections. IhopeyouenjoythisissueofAvenueandcontinuetostayintouchwiththeUniversity.

Professor Anton MuscatelliPrincipalandVice-Chancellor

Half-Yearly Meeting of the General CouncilSaturday, 19 January 2013AlumniareinvitedtojointheChancellorandPrincipalattheGeneralCouncilHalf-YearlyMeetingonSaturday,19January2013at11amonthetopflooroftheFraserBuilding.Readthereportofthelastmeetingonpages26–27.

ContentsNews 2Recent activities and achievements

After the gold 8 KatherineGrainger(MPhil2001)isourYoungAlumnusoftheYear2012

The science of sporting success 10Glasgow’ssportssciencegraduateswho help train elite athletes

Hello and welcome 14IntroducingtheUniversity’snewWelcomePointforvisitors

Campus collections 16ThetreasureswithintheUniversity’sfour publicly available collections

Alumni news and events 20Clubs,reunionsandpersonalnews

Report to the General Council 26MinutesfromtheHalf-YearlyMeetingoftheGeneralCouncil,includingthePrincipal’sreport

Exhibitions and events 29What’sonatTheHunterian

Cover image:KatherineGraingercelebrateshergoldmedalattheOlympicGamesparadeinGlasgow.

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Whentraditionalimplantsarefixedintobonemarrow,themarrow’sstemcellsdonotreceivemessages from the body to differentiate intobonecells,whichwouldhelpcreateastronger bond between the implant and the bone.Instead,theyusuallydifferentiateintoabuildupofsofttissuewhich,combinedwiththe natural loss of bone density that occurs as peopleage,canweakenthebondbetweentheimplantandthebody.

However,apartnershipbetweenUniversityacademics and surgeons has found a reliable method to encourage bone cell growth aroundanewtypeofimplant,madefromanadvancedpolymerknownasPEEK-OPTIMA®.

DrMatthewDalby,oftheUniversity’sInstituteofMolecular,Cell&SystemsBiology,explains,‘Lastyear,wedevelopedaplasticsurfacewhich allowed a level of control over stem cell differentiation which was previously impossible.Thesurface,createdattheUniversity’sJamesWattNanofabricationCentre,iscoveredintinypits120nanometresacross.Whenstemcellsareplacedontothesurface,theygrowandspreadacrossthepitsin a way which ensures they differentiate into therapeuticallyusefulcells.

‘BycoveringthePEEKimplantinthissurface,we can ensure that the mesenchymal stem cellsdifferentiateintothebonecells.Thiswillhelp the implant site repair itself much more effectively than has ever been possible before and could well mean that implants will last for therestofapatient’slife.’

News

From stem cells to long-life hip implantsGlasgow scientists are developing a new type of orthopaedic implant which could be considerably stronger and more long-lived than the current generation of products.

Supporting the UK’s creative economyA pioneering initiative, run by a consortium of UK universities led by Glasgow, will examine a range of issues relating to new digital technologies with a view to meeting some of the central challenges facing the UK’s creative economy.

The UK has probably the largest creative sectorintheworldrelativetoGDP,accountingforover6%oftheoveralleconomyandcontributingaround£60bnperannum.However,buildingabusinessand cultural and regulatory infrastructure thatcansparkinnovation,capitaliseon new revenue streams and harness the potential of new and emerging technologies are challenges that face thesectorasitaimstomaintaintheUK’sgloballeadershipinthisfield.

CREATe(Creativity,Regulation,Enterprise&Technology)willaddresstheseandotherchallengesbyexploringarangeof issues such as those associated with digitisation,newintellectualpropertyissues and how best to support

relationships between the arts and technology.ProfessorRonanDeazleyoftheSchoolofLawatGlasgowisleadingtheconsortium:‘Workinginstrategicpartnerships with creative businesses and cultural organisations throughout the UK,CREATewilldeliveraninnovativeandexcitingresearchprogrammethatwillhave real impact on the creative economy as that economy continues the transition fromtheanaloguetothedigital.’

CREATe is funded by the Arts & HumanitiesResearchCouncil(AHRC),theEngineering&PhysicalSciencesResearch Council and the Economic & SocialResearchCouncil.ProfessorRickRylance,ChiefExecutiveoftheAHRC,said,‘Onbehalfofthethreeresearchcouncilsfundingthisproject,andthevariousagenciesinvolvedinit,I’dliketo welcome the launch of CREATe very warmlyindeed.Weverymuchlookforward to seeing how it develops new thinking on copyright and business potential and meets the challenges of interdisciplinaryandpartnershipworking.’

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News

Investing in particle physics technology A new £370,000 laboratory has opened at the University to help develop the next generation of the technology that found evidence of the existence of the elusive Higgs boson particle.

ParticlephysicistsatGlasgowwereinvolvedformorethan20yearsinthedevelopmentandconstruction of the semiconductor trackers in ATLAS,oneofthedetectorsattheEuropeanOrganizationforNuclearResearch’s(CERN)LargeHadronCollider(LHC)inGeneva.DatafromATLAS,whichtrackstheparticlesresulting from the proton collisions created in theLHC,playedavitalroleinthediscoveryoftheHiggsboson. FundedbytheUniversityandScottishUniversitiesPhysicsAlliance,theGlasgowLaboratoryforAdvancedDetectorDevelopment will help scientists develop novel semiconductortrackerandpixeldetectortechnologyforuseinATLASupgradesandinother applications including medical imaging andairportsecurity. The laboratory has an ultrasonic fine pitch wire bonder to fabricate interconnects in electronic chips and a probe station to investigate the functionalityofimprovedsensordesigns.OnlytheUniversityofCalifornia,USA,andtheUniversityofBonn,Germany,havethesameprobetechnology.

University welcomes first Erasmus Mundus Masters programme

SupportedbytheEuropeanCommission’sprestigiousErasmusMundusprogramme,Glasgow’sInternationalMastersinRussian,Central&EastEuropeanStudies(IMRCEES)degreehasreceived €800,000.Thiswillsupportupto20studentscholarshipsand35academicexchangevisits.

Thedoubledegreeprogramme,theonlyoneofitskindavailableataUKuniversity,isintendedforstudentswishingtopursueacareeringovernmentpolicy-making,thebusinessworld,diplomaticservice,internationalorganisationsandmedia.StudentsspendayearatGlasgowfollowedbyayearatoneoffivepartneruniversitiesinEstonia,Finland,Hungary,PolandorKazakhstan.DissertationresearchopportunitiesareavailableatassociateuniversitiesinAzerbaijan,Canada,Georgia,RussiaandUkraine.DrClareMcManus,IMRCEESAcademicDirectoratGlasgow,said,‘FewerthanoneintenapplicationsforMastersprogrammestoreceiveErasmusMundusrecognitionaresuccessful,sowe’reverypleasedthattheIMRCEESprogrammehasachievedthisrecognition.’ Glasgow rises again in world rankings

TheUniversityhasrisenfiveplacesfrom59th to54thpositioninthelatestQSWorldRankings, whichwerereleasedinSeptember.ItisfurthergoodnewsforGlasgow,whichisoneofonlythreeScottishinstitutionsinthetop100.

PrincipalandViceChancellor,ProfessorAntonMuscatelli,said,‘Iamdelightedthatourprogress in these rankings over recent years has continued and while we should always be cautiousaboutleaguetables,thisisourbestevershowing.TheQSWorldRankingsaresignificant as they confirm the reputation of Glasgowasaworld-leadingresearch-intensiveuniversity.’

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New centre offers hope for people with arthritis

A new centre taking forward the recent advances in the treatments available for people witharthritiswillopenattheUniversity.

Scotland’sfirstArthritisResearchUKExperimentalArthritisTreatmentCentrewillrecruitlocalpatientstotestnewandexistingdrugs and to find novel approaches that can predict which treatment works best in individuals.

ProfessorIainMcInnesistheprincipalinvestigator:‘Wewanttouseourexpertisetoanswersomeimportantquestions:todiscoverhow established medicines work and allow us to use them even more effectively; and to find out why people with arthritis are more disposed to developing heart attacks and strokes,andtobecomingdepressed.Aboveall,wewanttotryandunderstandwhyarthritishappensinthefirstplace.’

Rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly half a millionpeopleintheUK.Itisachronic,disablingconditioninwhichthebody’simmunesystemattacksthejoints.Althoughnewerbiologicaltreatmentssuchasanti-TNFtherapies pioneered by Arthritis Research UKhavemadeahugedifferencetopatients’lives,asignificantproportionofpatientsstilldonotrespondtosuchtreatment.

Intheteam’sfirsttrialofupto15patientsthey will investigate whether giving rheumatoid arthritis patients a particular biologic drug canchangetheircholesterolmetabolism.This could lead to a reduction in the higher than normal levels of heart disease in patientswiththecondition.

News

What your emailing style says about youResearchers at Glasgow have been examining the idiosyncratic patterns of behaviour in email users and have found they match with typical bird-like behaviours.

DrKarenRenaud,SeniorLecturerinComputingScienceatGlasgow,said,‘Emailhasrapidlybecome a vital business communication tool and a lot of people we spoke to say they would notbeabletodotheirjobswithoutit.However,manypeoplehavegripesaboutemail.Somepeoplefindthemselvescheckingemailallthetime,otherscomplainabouthowotherpeoplebehavewhenusingemail.’

Theresearchersidentified15bird-likecharacteristicsofemailusers,including:•CompulsiveWoodpecker:Can’tresistreadingemailatanytimeofthedayandnight.•HibernatingPoorwill:Readsemailonlyoccasionally,sotheycan’tbereliedupon.•Back-CoveringEmu:Sendsemailsinordertobeabletoprove,atalaterdate,thatthe informationwaspassedon.•EchoingMynah:Acknowledgesallemails.Forexample,engagesinexchange somethinglike:‘thanks’,then‘mypleasure’,then‘thanksagain’.•NightOwl:Themidnightemailerwhofailstounderstandthatothersdowishtohave ‘timeout’.

Therewasonetypeofbirdassociatedwithperfectemailmanners:therobin.Thesepeopleare admired for not allowing email to dominate their lives and making time to speak to people inpersonwhenevertheypossiblycan.

DrRenaudcontinued,‘Itislikelymostpeoplewillbeabletoidentifysomeoftheiremailcorrespondentswiththesebehavioursandperhapsevenrecognisetheirownemailstyle.

‘Whattheresearchreallyhighlightsisthatemailisagreatsourceofstressformanypeople.Toooften,emailisusedinsteadofamoresuitablemeansofcommunicationlikeactuallytalkingtosomeone.Peopleneedtothinkbeforetheysendanemail:isthisthebestwayofcommunicating?Evenifitis,stillthinkbeforeyouclick!’

Theresearch,carriedoutwithJudithRamsayattheUniversityoftheWestofScotland,hasbeen published in Interfaces,thequarterlymagazineoftheBritishComputerSociety.

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Principal’s appointment extended

TheUniversityistoextendtheappointmentofProfessorAntonMuscatelliasPrincipalandVice-ChancellorbyfiveyearsafterhiscurrenttermofofficeexpiresinSeptember2014.

The decision was taken in October as recommended by a review carried out by a representative group of University Court includingstaff,studentandlaymembers.‘Havingconcludedthisreviewthegroupunanimously recommended to Court that the Principal’sappointmentshouldbeextendedtorununtilSeptember2019.TheCourtunanimouslyendorsedthatrecommendation,believingstronglythatProfessorMuscatellihas led the University very effectively through difficulttimessincehisappointmentin2009.’

PrincipalMuscatellisaid,‘Iamextremelygrateful to the University Court for its strong messageofsupport.Ilookforwardtodevelopingourexcitingplansforthefuture.’

News

Uncovering Scotland’s lost Latin pastAnewresearchprojectentitled‘BridgingtheContinentalDivide’hasbeenawardedover£400,000fromtheArts&HumanitiesResearchCounciltotranslatepartsofScotland’sonlyanthologyofneo-LatinRenaissancepoetry.

Thestudy,ledbyhistoriansandclassicistsatGlasgow,willinvestigateexactlywhatroleLatinplayedintheseverecultureofProtestantmoralandsocialdisciplineinJacobeanScotland.Academics hope it will lead to new insights into early17th-centuryScottishcultureandsociety.

The Delitiae Poetarum Scotorum is a compilation ofreligious,politicalandculturaltextsfromtheJacobeanperiod,andisconsideredoneofthemostimportantLatinbooksScotlandhaseverproduced.Publishedin1637inAmsterdam,itrepresentsthehighpointofScottishneo-LatinRenaissancecultureandoffersauniqueviewofScottishpolitics,religionandsociety.

ScottishHistoriansattheUniversitywillpainstakinglyscanandtranslatejustoverathirdofthe1,272-pageanthologytoproducea free online resource that will be fully searchablebyscholars.Theteamwillalsoproduce a website where both specialist and ‘lay’audiencescanlearnmoreabouttherolethatLatinplayedinScottishsociety,andplana series of public readings around Scotland of theLatintextandtranslations.

Glasgow student reaches The Great British Bake Off final

JamesMorton,anundergraduateatGlasgow’sSchoolofMedicine,madeittothefinaloftheBBC’sThe Great British Bake Off,whichairedinOctober.

James,21,fromHillswickintheShetlandIslands,spenthissummerfilmingfortheshowinSomerset,and entered the final having avoided being knocked outfornineconsecutiveweeks.

Takingascientificapproachtobaking,Jamesearnedareputationforuniqueculinarycreationsincludingachouxpastrybicycleandaderelictgingerbreadbarn.HehasalsodevelopedaloyalfollowingduetohisquirkydresssenseandpenchantforFairIsleknittedjumpers.

Jamesnarrowlymissedoutonwinningthecompetition,butwasstillrightlythrilledtomakeittothefinalthree:‘It’samazingtohavegotthisfarinthecompetition.Settingout,Ididn’tthinkthiswouldeverhappen.’

PrincipalMuscatellisaid,‘IwouldliketocongratulateJamesonhisprogressinthisyear’sThe Great British Bake Off.Itisyetanotherexampleofthediverse range of talents our students and graduates possess and which allows so many of them to go on toexcelinawiderangeoffieldsacrosstheartsandinpublicservice,theprofessionsandbusiness.’

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News

New electron microscope sheds light on the atomScientists at the University have acquired a world-leading electron microscope, which will allow them to scrutinise individual atoms and probe their chemical, magnetic and electronic properties with unprecedented detail.

The£2.65mMagTEMmicroscopeisoneof a select number worldwide and is the latestadditiontotheUniversity’sKelvinNanocharacterisationCentre,whichishometoarangeofequipmentthatallowsresearchersfrom across the physical sciences and engineeringdisciplinestocreateandexaminematerialsontheatomicscale.Researchfromthe centre has contributed to the development ofawiderangeofproducts,particularlyinmicroelectronicanddata-storageapplications.

Unliketraditionalmicroscopes,whichusevisiblelighttomagnifyobjectsforexamination,electron microscopes use a concentrated beamofelectronstoproducetheirimages.Electrons have a much shorter wavelength than the photons which comprise visible light,makingitpossibletoresolveimagesatmuchgreatermagnification.Modernelectron microscopes also allow scientists to examineotherpropertiesofmaterialsincludingtheirstructure,composition,chemistryandmagnetism.

TheGlasgowteamexpecttousetheMagTEMmicroscope to help commercial partners develop and refine technologies including stronger forms of steel for the automotive industry,sensorsystemsandharddisks.TheMagTEM’smagneticimagingcapabilitieswill allow it to image the operation of magnetic devices such as hard disks below thedimensionsofindividualstoragebits,aprocess which no other electron microscope in theworldiscurrentlycapableofdoing.

A hub for environment and culture studiesThe University has launched a new interdisciplinary research centre at its Dumfries campus that seeks to bring the study of environment and culture together.

The Solway Centre for Environment & Culture is the first of its kind in the UK and will see naturalscientistsandculturalspecialistsworktogether,creatingtrulyinterdisciplinarycoursesandstrongcollaboration,aswellasworkingcloselywithlocalpartnersandthecommunity.

InitialprojectsincludeastudyoftheimpactofaspateofwildfiresacrosstheUKinthespringof2011andaprojectencouragingthelocalcommunitytofindoutmoreabouthiddenlocalarchaeology.Thecentreisalsokeentoestablishitselfasanationalcentreforenvironmentalart.

ValentinaBold,DirectoroftheSolwayCentre,said,‘Itseemsfittingthatthecentreisopenedinthepartoftheworldwheretheword“environment”wascreatedbyCarlylein1826andwhich has sustained creativity from the “ploughman poet” Burns to modern land artists JencksandGoldsworthy.Weareveryexcitedabouttheopportunitiesforcross-collaborationthatthenewcentrewillbringtousallhereinDumfries.’

Theteamofacademicsbasedinthenewcentrewillinitiallyfocusonthreeresearchareas:rurallandscapemanagement;sustainableruraltourism;andlandscape,placeandmemory.

Formoreinformation,seewww.glasgow.ac.uk/solwaycentre.

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Scots get knitting Academics at Glasgow brought knitting professionals, experts and enthusiastic amateurs from across Scotland together in October for a public study day at the Lighthouse in Glasgow.

Thestudyday,called‘ReinventingScotland’sWoollenTraditions’,playedhosttotalksexploringthehistoryofoneofthenation’smosticonicindustries,lookingattheimpactsthatitsnew-foundpopularityishavingonScotland’screativeindustriestoday.TheUniversity also hosted a workshop entitled ‘EconomiesofCultureandDesign’,fundedbytheRoyalSocietyofEdinburgh,attractingexpertsfromtheheritage,artanddesignsectorstoexaminethehistoryofknittedtextilecraftsandthewaythatthisheritageinfluencescontemporaryartanddesign.

HistoryProfessorLynnAbramsatGlasgow,whocoordinatedtheevents,said,‘Inrecentyearsinterestinknittinghasreallyboomed,andthisisbeingreflectedinfashionandpopularculturetoday.Itisincreasinglyappealing to a younger demographic who areengagingwiththeideaofexpressingthemselvesthroughknittingasacreativeart.The advance of the internet and social media has also been key to the emergence of new close-knitcommunities.’

Alumnus is new ASOS chairmanGraduate and University General Council Assessor Brian McBride has been appointed ChairmanofonlineretailgiantASOS.

Brian,whohasanMA(Hons)inEconomic&SocialHistoryfromGlasgow,willadvisethepopularretaileronitsstrategytohita£1bnsalestargetandexpanditsinternationaldivision.Priortotakinguptherole,hewasManagingDirectoratAmazonUKforsixyears.TheUniversitywelcomestheskillsandexperienceBrian is bringing to his role as a General Council Assessor to the University of Glasgow Court,thegoverningbodyoftheUniversity.

All Glasgow students become members of the General Council after graduation and can play a valuable role in shaping the future oftheUniversity.Formoreinformationseewww.glasgow.ac.uk/generalcouncil.

TheScholarshipFundwaslaunchedin2007andthemoney,raisedwiththesupportofalumniandfriendsoftheUniversity,hashelped provide opportunities to undergraduate students facing financial hardship and to attract thebestpostgraduatestudentsinternationally.

One of the scholarship recipients is mature studentMarkAlexander:‘Withoutthescholarship,Iwouldhavehadtoworklongerhoursinmypart-timejobwhichwouldhaverestrictedmytimetostudyand,ultimately,wouldhaveimpactedonmyresults.Beingawarded a scholarship could make the difference between students passing their degree or dropping out due to financial pressures.’

Over £5.2m donated to University’s Scholarships Fund

Glasgow offers a wide range of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.TheUniversityisplanningtoestablish a new scholarship to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of the famous explorerandGlasgowalumnusDavidLivingstone(1813–73).

TheDavidLivingstoneScholarshipwillenablea student from the developing world to pursue aPhDattheUniversity,gainingthenecessaryskills to address some of the most pressing health and environmental issues in their home country.TosupporttheScholarshipsFundplease contact the Development & Alumni Office,tel:+44(0)1413304951oremail:campaign@glasgow.ac.uk.

News

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The University has announced the winner of the Young Alumnus of the Year Award 2012 as Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger MBE (MPhil 2001).

Theroaringjubilationofcountlesswell-wishersstillhasn’tquitefadedfromtheearsofKatherineGrainger.Severalmonthsafterwinning gold in the double skulls final with rowing teammate Anna Watkins at the Olympic Games,Katherineisstillonahigh.AndbeingnamedastheUniversity’sYoungAlumnusoftheYearhasonlyaddedtothefeeling.

‘It’sincredible,’shesays.‘IfeltthebigfocusformeforthisyearwouldbetheOlympics,andwinningitwaseverythingIwantedittobe.ButthenwhenIgotwordfromGlasgow,itwasahugesurprise.IkindofthoughtI’dwoneverythingIcouldwin,sotobeawardedthisontopmakestheyearevenmorespecial.’

KatherineisBritain’smostsuccessfulfemalerower.BeforeLondon2012,shehadalreadyachievedsixWorldChampionshiptitles and silver medals at three successive OlympicGames.Butdespiteambitionsandexpectationsinthecoxlesspairsandquadruplescullsoveratimespanof12years,the prize of an Olympic gold had proved elusive.KatherinehadbeendisappointedatlosingnarrowlytotheChineseteaminBeijing,especially after her boat had taken the lead for someoftherace.Afterwards,itwasamatterof picking herself up for another four yearsoftraining.

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HerunwaveringhardworkpaidoffinAugust;infrontofanexpectantcrowdatEtonDorney,sheachievedherdream.InSeptember,Glasgow crowds were delighted to celebrate with her and the rest of the Scottish Olympic andParalympicathletesduringahugelypopularhomecomingparade.

‘Itwasunbelievable,’shesays.‘Youalwayshaveasmallinsecurity,thinking:whatifnotmany people turn up? Because the Olympics andtheParalympicsarethemostincredibleevents,youwonderifpeoplemighthavegone back to real life and might not want to reliveit.SoitwaslovelyinGeorgeSquare,seeingpeoplewithflagsandhugesmilesontheirfaces.’

Although Katherine may have travelled the worldasshe’spursuedhersportingcareer,herstorybeganinGlasgow.Borninthecityin1975,shechosetostudyforaMastersinMedicalLawattheUniversityofGlasgowaftercompleting her undergraduate law degree in Edinburgh.It’sperhapsnotsurprising,then,thatshe’sstillveryfondofthecity.

‘Idon’tgettocomebacktoGlasgowasmuchasIwouldliketo,butIwasbornandbredhere,Ilivedhereforeighteenyearsandasastudentaswell.WhenIarriveIfeelveryathome,’shesays.

One of the particularly impressive aspects ofKatherine’scareerhasbeenherabilitytocombinesportingandacademicsuccess.Currently,she’sclosetocompletingaPhDatKing’sCollegeLondon,andshe’sconvincedthat the studying and training aspects of her lifehavebeencomplementarytoeachother.

‘Ifanything,myMasterswasprobablyoneofthemostinterestingthingsI’vedonefromanacademicpointofview,’shesays.‘Iwouldn’thavedoneaPhDifithadn’tbeenfortheMastersatGlasgow.Itwasperfect,time-wise,becauseitwaswhenIfirstgotintotheBritishRowingTeam.Mycoach,Hamish,wasinEdinburghsoIwasbasedthereandcomingthrough to Glasgow once a week to do the course.IusedtoreallylookforwardtoseeingthepeopleinmyclasswhomIabsolutelylovedtoworkwith.

‘Irememberthemallbeinghugelysupportive.EverytimeIcameinhavingarace,theywouldallbewatching.Itfeltlikeasafeenvironment.Timemanagementisverychallenging,butI’vealwaysfoundthatIcandoboth.WhenIcanget outside it gets me awake and alert and thenreadytogoanddosomethinking.SoactuallyIdofindthatthey’reagoodbalanceforeachother.Thekeythingistoknowwhentoprioritiseeachone.’

Deciding on future priorities is something that Katherine is finding impossible while still in thegripofherpost-Olympicwhirlwind,butone plan she is certain of is looking forward to the arrival of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgowin2014.

‘I’vebeeninvolvedinthebiddingprocessandI’veseenatfirsthandwhatagreatsportingeventcandotoahostcity.Thewonderfulthingifyou’vehadasummerlikewe’vejusthad is that it gives people a real hunger for sport.I’vebeenuptoGlasgowafewtimessinceandthatexcitementisstillthere.Ithinkthere’llbeaveryenthusiasticaudienceintwoyears’time,wantingtogoandseeallthebignamesthey’veseenattheOlympicsagain.I’lldefinitelybethereinsomecapacity.’

‘I was born and bred in Glasgow, I lived here for eighteen years and as a student as well. When I arrive I feel very at home.’

‘It was a huge surprise. I kind of thought I’d won everything I could win, so to be awarded Young Alumnus on top makes the year even more special.’

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The science ofsporting successAvenue talks to several of our sports science graduates who have supported elite athletes on their quest for victory in major sporting events such as the Olympics.

TheLondon2012OlympicGamesprovedtobeastunningexampleofhumanstrengthand endurance with numerous personal bestsandworldrecordsbroken.Thehostnation too found its medal tally considerably boosted,butitwasmorethanjustahomecrowd that pushed British athletes to winning performances.Asoundunderstandingofthesciencebehindsportsandexerciseisattheheartofanyeliteathlete’strainingandisincreasingly important for any country bent on sportingsuccess.

Three recent graduates from the University of Glasgow had particular reasons to cheer on TeamGBathletes–theyhelpedtrainthem.BarryFudge,LiamKilduffandMattParkerallhadahandinhelpingsomeoftheUK’sbest-knownathleteswingoldinLondon.

Barry,fromFortWilliam,graduatedin2004withadegreeinPhysiology&SportsSciencebefore completing a University of Glasgow scholarshipfundedPhDinExercisePhysiologyin2007withDrYannisPitsiladisoftheInstituteofCardiovascular&MedicalSciences.

Afteraone-yearspellwiththeScottishInstituteofSport,henowworksasanexercisephysiologistwiththeEnglishInstituteofSportsupporting the British athletics team and was thankedpersonallyonTVbythe5,000metresand10,000metresgoldmedallistMoFarahforhispartinhelpingtherunnertovictory.

‘The role of a physiologist changes throughout theyear,butit’salwaysaboutunderstandingwhatmakesathletestick,what’sgoodforthem,what’sbadforthemandmakingthembetter,’explainsBarry.

‘There’sabigprogrammeatUKAthleticsaroundaltitudetraining.WehavelotsofathletestraininginFranceandKenyathroughouttheyear.Myrolewithinthe

programme is to support coaches and athletes andmonitortheirprogress.Altitudetrainingis,ofcourse,aboutincreasingaerobiccapacitybutultimatelyit’salsoaboutacceleratingthedevelopment of our athletes so that they are readyforcompetitionsliketheOlympics.

‘The performance across the whole team at theOlympicswasfantastic,wayabovewhatmostpeoplewould’vethoughtpossiblefiveyearsago.Abigpartofthatwasthewaythecountrygotbehindtheathletes.Itcreatedan amazing environment for them and the spectators.

‘The facilities were also fantastic and the organisationwassecondtonone.Theinvestment that has comes in from various places–NationalLottery,thegovernment,etc – has helped to fund coaches and athletes toworkfull-timeandtofundthemedicineandsciencebehindit,andhasshownthatinvestmentreallydoesequalsuccess.However,whileyoucanthrowmoneyatthings,you’vealsogottodoitwell,andtheset-upintheUKisprobablythebestintheworld.

‘It’sanamazingjob,workingwithtalentedandinspiringpeople–100%rewarding.ButIhadn’treallyplannedthisasacareerwhenIstarteduniversity,’continuesBarry.‘IactuallycametoGlasgowtodomaths.Whenitcametodecidingwhichsubjectstospecialisein,Ichosebiologyandsportsscience.Sportssciencedoesinvolvemathstoo,asmyjobisall about data and graphs and understanding complexrelationships.

‘The undergraduate degree programme at Glasgow was different to other sports science coursesinthecountry.It’sbasedmorearoundphysiologyandscienceratherthanjustsport.What Glasgow in particular gives you is a good scientificunderstanding.’

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AnotheralumnushelpingtheEnglishInstituteofSport,throughhisroleasaseniorlecturerinSports&ExerciseScienceatSwanseaUniversity,isLiamKildufffromCountyOffaly intheRepublicofIreland.HecompletedaPhDin2003,alsounderthesupervisionofDrYannisPitsiladis,whichlookedattheeffects of creatine supplementation in elite athletes and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease.

Through his role supervising his students as they worked with some of the sports stars ofTeamGB,healsohadahandintheUK’ssuperbmedalhaul.

‘I’dalwaysbeeninterestedinsportsandexerciseasI’dbeenaverykeenathletegrowingup,althoughIdidn’tmakeitasaprofessional,’saysLiam.

‘IcametoGlasgowtodoaPhDunderDrPitsiladisasI’dknownhimfrommytimeatLondonSouthBankUniversity.Ireallylovedmy three years at the University of Glasgow andthecity.Icouldn’tspeakhighlyenoughofitandIstillhaveongoingcollaborativeworkwithDrPitsiladis.

‘WhenImovedtoSwanseawedidn’thavemuchsportsscienceprovisionforathletes,soIsetupasupportserviceforathletesand sports organisations in the area that evolved into me leading on a number of

sportsactivities.ItalsoledtomeplacingPhDstudentsintothesesportsandhavingamentoring role which led to my involvement withanumberofsportsintheOlympicGames.

‘With Team GB athletes we looked a lot at warm-upstrategiesandbasicallyhelpedintheirpre-conditioningfortheGames.AlthoughIdidn’tgotoLondon,itwasveryenjoyableto watch at home and the performances in cyclingwereexceptional,astheywereinmanyoftheothersports.

‘Ithinksomeofthesuccesswasdowntothehomeadvantage,thegoodweatherandthe fact there were no altitude or pollution problems.Buttheverywell-structuredprogrammeledbyUKSports,supportedbyareallystrongnetworkofsportsscientists,sportsmedicsandcoaches,playedahugepart.Wehaveaverystrongset-upintheUKtohelpathletesreachtheiroptimumlevel.’

MattParkerisalsoanexercisephysiologist,who supported the performances of cyclists BradleyWiggins,ChrisHoyandVictoriaPendletonatBritishCycling.NowlivinginDerbyshire,MattgraduatedinPhysiology&SportsScienceatGlasgowin1996.

‘Sciencehasalwaysinterestedme;Ihavealways been curious about how things work orhaveevolved.Sport,orperhapsmoreaccuratelyelitehumanperformance,isa

subjectthathasneverbeendifficulttobeenthusiasticabout.Ihavebeenveryprivilegedto witness athletes achieve remarkable feats of performance,’hesays.

‘IwasfortunatetobetutoredbythelikesofProfessorNeilSpurway,DrRonBaxendaleandDrNiallMacfarlane.It’snotlostonmehowfortunateIwastoreceiveaneducationfromsuchhigh-qualitypeopleatGlasgow.

‘EvennowIcanstillrememberthelecturesandlabs.Backthentheclasssizewas22.Itmadethewholeexperiencememorable.Itmakesyoufeellikeyouwerepartofsomething.ProfessorSpurway’slecturesonthephilosophyofsciencewerespecial.IadmitIdidn’tunderstandthemthatwellatthetimebutthecontentstuckwithmeandI’vegrownwiththesubjectovertime.TheteachingsarefundamentaltohowIapproachmyworknowandI’mgratefulforhavingtheopportunityto have been touched by his passion for the topic.’

Cyclingwasoneofthebigmedal-winnersattheLondonOlympicsandMattplayedakeypart in that success as a member of British Cycling’smarginalgainsstrategyteam.‘The British Cycling marginal gains strategy aims to gain a performance advantageacross all cycling disciplines through the systematicapplicationofleading-edgescience and technology to all aspects of

Right: Olympic 5,000metresand10,000metresgoldmedallistMoFarahBelow: Olympiccycling gold medallistSirChrisHoy

© Maxisport/Shutterstock.com

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performance.Themarginalgainsteamcomprises13specialistsinthefieldsofphysiology,biomechanics,medicine,physiotherapy,performanceanalysis,strengthandconditioning,nutrition,psychiatryandengineering,’heexplains.

‘We have continued to improve performances atthelastthreeOlympics.Ibelievethisisduetothreesimplethings.Wesettheathletesveryhighperformanceobjectives,surroundedthemwithqualitypeopleandpursuedourobjectivesrelentlessly.

‘To be involved with the programmes you either have to be regarded as one of the top tier of practitioners in the world in your field orconsistentlyshowtheambitiontobethere.There is a large sign on entering the office whichsays“Winningisourbusiness”.Itsaysalotabouttheenvironmentweworkin;it’sbothexcitingandintense.

‘IwasfortunatetocoachBradleyWigginsforfouryearsinpreparationforboththeBeijingOlympicsandtheTourdeFrance.Duringthattimeweimprovedthemen’steampursuitperformancebyeightsecondsin18months.That set the foundation for me for much of my workinpreparationforLondon,’continuesMatt.

‘Imainlyworkwiththecoachesandsupportstaff to develop the performance plans for the riders.Iwasalsopartoftheteamthatmadeallthekit-bikes,helmets,skinsuits,etc,forthelikesofSirChrisHoytouseattheGames.Ialsocleanedhistoiletaspartofaninfectioncontrolprogramme!

‘WhenIfirststartedworkinginelitesportten years ago there used to be a number of sports scientists whose responsibilities weremoregenericacrosstraining,nutrition,monitoring,coachsupportandsoon.Nowitis increasingly common for sports at the top leveltoemploydisciplinespecialists:peoplewithworld-leadingexpertisethatcangenuinelyimpactonperformances.

‘Insteadofonesportsscientistwenowhave14specialists.Thisisgreatbecauseitdemonstrates that support really makes a difference.Thechallengeforthosestartingoutontheirstudiesisthattoreachthetop,ina

sportlikemine,youreallyneedtobeexcellentatwhatyoudo.Ifyou’reaphysiologistit’snotenough to be passionate about working in sport,youneedtobethebestphysiologistyoucanbe.That’swhatweaskfromtheathletesandit’sonlyrightthatweexpectthesamefromourselves.

‘IliketolearnandIgettomeetsomeexceptionalpeopletolearnfrom–coaches,scientists,athletesandindustryleaders.Thejobcontinuallychallengesyou;tosurviveyouhavetohaveinnerdrivetokeepimproving.Myfavouritethingistheambitionoftheprojectswe’reinvolvedin;totakeonthechallengeofwinningaTourdeFranceoratanOlympicGames.It’snothardtogetoutofbedfor.’

All three graduates have been lucky enough totaketheskillsandqualificationsgainedatGlasgow to work at the very top of their chosen field and be involved in sports competition at thehighestlevel.Butwhethergraduatesendupsupportingeliteathletes’performance,or simply promoting the benefits of physical activity in health clubs and community leisure centres,astrongunderstandingofthetheoreticalandpracticalaspectsofexercisephysiology allows every student interested in thisareatoexcelinresearchorapplicationoftheory,saysseniorUniversityteacherNiallMacfarlane.

‘Sports&ExerciseScienceattheUniversityprovides undergraduate and postgraduate students with a substantial biological underpinningtotheirstudies.Thefocusonunderstanding the biology of the adaptive process allows graduates to work across sporting disciplines – from archery to wrestling – and make important contributions to athlete development without needing direct experienceofthespecificsport,’saysNiall.

‘The skills our graduates learn enable them to develop a leading role in a multidisciplinary team approachtorehabilitationofcardiovascular,metabolic,psychologicalandrespiratoryconditions that all benefit from structured exerciseprogrammes.Barry,LiamandMatthavereallyexcelledintheirfieldandhavemademajorcontributionstoBritishsports.They are fine ambassadors of the University of Glasgowandwe’reveryproudofthem.’

Left:London2012RoadRacetestRight: The Olympic stadium and symbolic rings and torchAll three images © London 2012

‘The undergraduate degree programme at Glasgow is based more around physiology and science rather than just sport. What Glasgow in particular gives you is a good scientific understanding.’

Barry Fudge, graduate

Hello and welcomeGlasgow’s reputation for down-to-earth friendliness is about to become even stronger, with the launch of a fresh new space to welcome visitors to our campus.

Anyone planning on making a visit to Gilmorehillcanexpectanenhancedexperience,withtheopeningofthenewreceptionareaonthegroundflooroftheJohnMcIntyrebuilding.Basedastone’sthrowfromtheUniversity’smaingate,it’scalledtheWelcomePoint,anditsaimistohelpstudentsandvisitorswithanyenquiriesandtoofferaccess to a number of services offered by the UniversityandtheStudents’RepresentativeCouncil(SRC).

As well as a waiting area with information about the latest University news and events deliveredviawall-mountedinformationscreensandiPadstations,therenovatedspacealsohostsareceptiondeskmannedbystudents.And,accordingtoBobHay,PermanentSecretarytotheSRC,movingthereceptionareafromthetopfloorofthebuildingdowntoground level is a development that will have benefitsforeveryoneinvolved.

‘The University wanted to have a highly visible point that would be attractive to students and visitorsarrivingoncampus,sowereachedanagreement that we would develop a reception solutiontogether,’hesays.‘Duetothepartnershipworkingthat’sbeenundertakenbetween the University and the SRC over the lastfewyears,wefeelpositiveaboutworkinglikethistooptimiseresources.

‘TheSRCisrunbystudentsforstudents,sothelargemajorityofourfrontlinestaffareundergraduatesandpostgraduates.Theyhaveawealthofknowledge,bothaboutthecampusandabouttheservicesonoffer,whichmeansthat when people come in with everyday questions,they’reverygoodatknowinghowtoanswerthem.’

The SRC has long held a reputation as a key provider of opportunities and advice for students,soit’sperhapsnosurprisetohearfromtwocurrentemployees,AdamCampbellandMarkeeCardwell-Rambo,thatthey’repleasedaboutthechancesthey’rebeingoffered to develop their graduate attributes andcommunicationskills.

‘Wedealwithalotofdifferentthings:meetings,receptionstaffing,phoneandemailenquiries,’Adamsays.‘It’sgreattogetthosekindsof

experiencesbecauseI’verecentlygraduatedandamcurrentlylookingforwork.HavinghadadiverserolehereisusefulwhenIgotointerviewsbecauseIcantalkaboutquitealotofdifferentaspectsofit.’

ForMarkee,whocametotheUniversityfromCalifornia to study for a Masters in Theatre Studies and has stayed to study for a second Mastersdegree,workingattheSRChasalsobeenanextremelypositiveexperience.

‘A lot of what we do is walking people through theservicestheSRCoffers.Wehaveouradvicecentre,freeminibusesforstudents,trainingforstudentrepresentatives,andopportunitiestogetinvolvedinvolunteering.Sowehelppeoplefigureoutwhat’sthebestservicetouse.Ithinkeveryoneintheofficehasadesiretohelppeople.Weneverturnanyoneaway.

‘Thecampusisbeautiful.It’sprobablyoneofthenicestworkenvironmentsI’vebeenin.I’vedonealotofjobs,butthere’sarealsenseofteamworkandsupportherethatIhaven’thadpreviously.I’mexcitedaboutbeingpartoftheWelcomePointteam.’

A lot of work has been done to make the newWelcomePointanattractiveplacetobrowseUniversityinformation.AvideowallisdedicatedtofourLCDscreensdisplaying University and SRC events and announcements,whileeightiPadsofferanotherportalforaccessinginformation.Inaddition,UniversityArchivistLesleyRichmondhas developed a beautiful brass timeline that winds its way around the walls of the reception area,displayingimportanteventsacrosstheUniversity’s561-yearhistory.

‘The idea is that while people are waiting for a tour,orperhapstomeetaparticularmemberofUniversitystaff,theywillhaveanopportunityto find out a bit more about the University if they’dlike,’Bobexplains.

‘Ithinkthisisagreatopportunitytoenhancethe reputation of the University as well as raisingtheprofileoftheSRC.Ithinkthatalotofpeoplewalkpastourwindowwhenit’sbusy,butIhopethatthenewspacewillencouragepeopletowaitandhaveachatwithus.’

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1. MarkeearrivesattheWelcomePoint2, 3, 7, 9. Students and visitors on campus4.Adam(right)offeringadviceatreception5.OneofeightiPadinformationdocks6.TheWelcomePointinterior8.Partofthebrasstimeline

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Campus collectionsThe Hunterian’s Art Gallery has recently reopened and is just one of four publicly available collections on campus. Common to all is the power to tell a story and inspire connections.

Followingalabour-intensive,nine-monthrefurbishment,TheHunterian’sArtGalleryreopenedinSeptember2012.AlthoughtheUniversity’sinvestmentfocusedchieflyonconservingthefabricofthebuilding,TheHunterianteamusedtheopportunitytoreconfigureallinternalscreensandwalls.Theresultisa50%increaseinthenumberofworksondisplay.

A new take on an Old MasterAnexhibitionbasedontheEntombment SketchbyRembrandt(1606–69)wasthefirsttofeatureinthenewspecialexhibitiongalleryupstairs.Whereanationalgallerymightputonaretrospective,Glasgow’sworkasauniversitymuseum and gallery is very much research driven.

‘Whatwe’reverygoodatisfocusingonaparticular work to tell the whole back story and thehistoryofitsproductionanditsmeaning,’saysProfessorDavidGaimster,DirectorofTheHunterian.‘OurfounderWilliamHunterwasthefirstpersoninBritaintoownaRembrandt,and this was the first time that the Rembrandt Passionstoryhadbeentold.

‘We can apply modern technology from the University to understand the manufacture of apicturemoreclearly.WiththeEntombment Sketch,paintedintwophasesover20to30years,weusedX-rayandinfraredtechnologyto reveal the first version of the painting underneath.’

Strategic acquisitionsAmong several new spaces in the gallery isanareatohighlightnewacquisitions.Given pride of place is a copper and enamel candlestickbyMargaretMacdonald,wifeofCharlesRennieMackintosh,andhersisterFrancesMacdonald.Veryfeworiginalworksbythesiblingsappearonthemarket,sotheteamwas delighted to bring the candlestick home to Glasgow–particularlyasitreunitedtheobjectwiththeoriginaldrawingsforitsdesign.

WhilemanyareawareofTheHunterian’sMackintoshcollection(themostextensiveofanyinstitution),EnlightenmentportraitureandworkoftheGlasgowBoys,itsotherartcollectionsarelesswellknown.WilliamHunterdidn’tfocussolelyonacquiringhistoricalartworks.ThecollectionshebequeathedtotheUniversityin1783alongwithmoneytobuildamuseum included a range of contemporary art ofthetime,includingA Lady Taking Tea(1735)byJean-SiméonChardin.

Hunterboughtthework–amongthemostimportant18th-centuryFrenchpaintings–directlyfromtheartist.ItnowhangsinaspecialroomdedicatedtoTheHunterian’sfounderandhisartcollection.Elsewhereinthegallery,anothernewareahasbeensetasidetodisplayourpresent-daycontemporaryartacquisitions.ToensurethesubjectofHistoryofArtatGlasgowmaintainsitwidelyrecognisedsuccessintheUK,it’svitaltocontinuallydevelopourcollections.

Interpreting our pastAcrosstheroad,TheHunterian’sMuseumhasbeenenjoyingitsownnewlook–andopeninghours – since its refurbishment completed in September2011.Apermanentnewexhibitionreveals for the first time the Roman treasures acquiredbytheUniversitysincethe17thcentury.‘TheAntonineWall:Rome’sFinalFrontier’showcasestheexceptionalcollectionof sculpture from what was probably the most decoratedofalltheRomanEmpirefrontiers.

‘TheinvestmentinartreflectsthefactthattheAntonine Wall was designed to be a piece ofpoliticalpropaganda,’explainsProfessorGaimster.‘AlloftheartworkfacesintotheRomanEmpire,soitwasdesignedforinternalpolitics.AntoninusPiushadbecomeEmperor,but his lack of a military track record was thoughttobeaterrificweakness.Sohemovedthe northern frontier a few hundred kilometres furthernorth,thencreatedamonumentalartwork along the wall to celebrate this great victory – over a population that was already living very much within the culture of the RomanEmpire.’

Main:TheHunterian’sArtGalleryTop:Jean-SiméonChardin,A Lady Taking Tea,1735Bottom:AdisplayofRomansculptureinTheHunterian’sAntonineWall:Rome’sFinalFrontiergallery

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Contemporary relevanceAnavidcoincollector,Hunteramassedaselection that at the time was considered secondonlytothatoftheKingofFrance.AlongsidetheGoldNobleofDavidIIandtheCharlesICoronationmedal,sitsa£12coin minted in support of the Darien scheme of1698,Scotland’scolonisationprojectinPanama.It’sareminderthattheartefactsintheUniversity’scollectionsofferaltogethermore than simply a window on the past; the lessonslearnedindaysgonebycanbejustasrelevanttoday.

The attempt to establish a colony in Central AmericafortheScotswasadisaster.Panamawasanexceptionallyhostileenvironmentandmanywhojourneyedtheresooptimisticallydiedtragically.ThefailureoftheNewCaledonia settlement effectively bankrupted thecountry,andScotlandturnedtoEnglandforhelp.‘TheUnionoftheParliamentscameaboutbecauseofeconomicreasons,andtheissue remains relevant to current discussions aroundindependence,’saysProfessorGaimster.‘Scotlandcouldn’tsustainitselfasanindependentnationin1707;thechallengefor some politicians is to demonstrate that it candosonow.’

International linksTheHunterian’s1.3millionobjectscomefromallovertheworld,offeringourinternationalstudents and wider community valuable links totheirhomecountries.Occasionallyanitem’sreputationprecedesit,asisthecasewith

FerdinandVerbiest’sMap of the Whole World. MadeintheForbiddenPalace,Pekinginthe17thcentury,thiseminentexampleofearlyglobal cartography is easily recognisable to Chinesevisitors.

‘The map was commissioned by the Emperor fromasmallcommunityofJesuitswhowantedto chart and map a new mission from around theworld,’saysProfessorGaimster.‘Soit’san interesting cultural hybrid of European map projectionandChineseunderstandingandphilosophysuperimposedonsmalltextboxesandcartouches.’

Inthepipelineisanexhibitionontheisotope,to mark the centenary of its discovery at GlasgowbychemistandlecturerFrederickSoddy(1877–1956).Forthis,TheHunterianwillcollaboratecloselywiththeUniversity’sArchive Services and Special Collections touncoverthefullextentofGlasgow’sresourcesonSoddyandhismajorscientificbreakthrough.Soddywentontodemonstratetheroleofisotopesinmeasuringgeologicage,leadingtothedevelopingofcarbondating.In1921hewontheNobelPrizeinChemistryforhiscontributiontotheworld’sunderstandingofradioactivesubstances.

Thesecollections,housedintheUniversity’sArchivesatThursoStreetandonthe12thflooroftheUniversityLibraryrespectively,arealsoopentothepublic;itemscanberequestedforconsultationintheirreadingrooms.

A modern-day resourceArchives holds papers relating to the University’sfoundationin1451andfurtherbackstill.AlongsidesitstheScottishBusinessArchive,establishedin1959byforward-thinking academics dedicated to preserving theheritageofScotland’sdecliningindustry.The15kmofmaterialinArchiveServicesand Special Collections is used not only for historical research but also as creative inspiration,includingforthelikesofTurnerPrize2012nomineeLukeFowler,whocreateda film based around the Archives collection on ScottishpsychiatristRDLaing.

In2012,membersofadivingexpeditioncoordinatedbyMicrosoftco-founderPaulGAllenapproachedArchivesforhelp.SetonrecoveringthebellfromthewreckofHMSHood,theyneededtoaccesstheship’splanstoascertainitslikelywhereabouts.TheNationalArchivesofScotlandhadinthe1970sentrustedtheUniversitywithavastquantityofClydeshipyardplans,someofwhicharemorethanthreemetreslongunfurled.

SeniorArchivistMoiraRankinsays,‘Realisticallywecan’tkeepeverydrawingofeveryship.Everythingnumberedwith736relates to the QE2–that’smorethan1,000drawingsofoneshipalone.TherearealsomanyplansfortheconstructionofHMSHood, whichwedigitisedtoaidtheexpedition.Eachwould have taken hours of painstaking work tocreateasthey’redrawn,measuredandcolouredentirelybyhand.’

Far right:FerdinandVerbiest’sMap of the Whole WorldTop right: Margaret Macdonald andFrancesMacdonald,Candlestick,mid-1890sBottom right: The QE2shipbuilding plans can be foundintheUniversity’sArchives

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Celebrating our storyGlasgowisthefourth-oldestuniversityintheEnglish-speakingworld,afactthat’simpossible to overlook when you consider the incredible student records available at Thurso Street.Theshelvesareheavywithrecordsstretchingbackto1858whenmatriculationbecamecompulsory,andArchiveServicesknows of almost every student who has ever studiedattheUniversity.

‘It’shelpedustocreateresourcesliketheUniversity of Glasgow Story website (www.universitystory.glasgow.ac.uk),whichshares the stories of the people who have built theUniversityandcontributedtotheworld.One of the famous matriculation records belongstoJohnLogieBaird,inventorofthetelevision,whoseattendanceattheUniversity,whichwasinterruptedbyWWI,wasthe“onesensiblething”hedidinhisstudies,accordingtohismemoir.’

Another celebrated scientist who features stronglyintheArchivesisGuidoPontecorvo (nicknamedPonte).In1955,theItalianrefugeebecametheUniversity’sfirstProfessorofGenetics,adegreesubjectthathasgoneontoreceivea100%satisfactionratingintheNationalStudentSurvey2012.

‘Crick and Watson and all sorts of other internationalfiguresappearinthepapers,’saysMoira.‘Pontewassocharismaticthatpeople would come from all over the world to talktohimabouthisresearch.ElvisPresleystoppedoffatPrestwickAirporttorefuel;otherswhodidthesamecametoseePonte.’HeleftasetofscrapbooksfilledwithphotosofthemanyprominentscientistsandNobelPrizewinnerswhovisitedhimatGlasgow.

Paper trailsSpecialCollectionsishometoaround300,000manuscriptitemsand200,000earlyprintedbooks – the very first of which are the focus of theGlasgowIncunabulaProject.Thisongoingprojectaimstocreateastand-alone,digitalcatalogueandup-to-daterecordofthemorethan1,000incunabula–booksprintedpre-1501inEurope–heldbytheUniversity.AnespeciallyinterestingexampleisthecopyoftheBreviary,madeinVenicein1478byFrenchprinterNicolausJenson.Hemadejustafewvellumcopiesofthereligioustext,andresearchindicatesthatthisonehadbeenaspecialgift.

Caption

‘Most manuscripts were made with vellumbut making a book like this would probably requirearound200sheep,soit’sunusualfor aprintedwork,’explainsJulieGardham,SeniorLibrarian,SpecialCollections.

‘WhatIlikemostisthatalthoughit’sareligioustext,thepeoplewhofeatureinthelavishilluminatedborderslookjustlikeVenetiansofthetime;intheirstripedtrousers,they’renotOldTestamentpeople.Whilewe’reinterestedintheactualtext,whatwe’remoreinterestedinisthebook’shistoryanditsownstoryasanartefact.’

Aroundtwo-thirdsoftheUniversity’sincunabula are now catalogued; once all are available online they will become yet another invaluableteachingandresearchresource.

Also currently being catalogued is the vast range of papers belonging to the recently deceasedEdwinMorgan(1920–2010).TheUniversitywasbequeathedmuchofthismaterialdirectlybytheformerPoetLaureateandGlasgowgraduateandlecturer.

Morgan’sbequestaugmentsprevious,smalleracquisitionsofhiswork.Amongtheseare16scrapbooksthathebegancompilingasachildandcontinuedintohisforties.It’sthoughtthat the poet had hoped that his collections ofstrangelyjuxtaposedpressclippingsandpoetryexcerptswouldeventuallybepublished;fornow,adigitisedselectionofthescrapbooksisavailableonline.

This parting gift from Edwin Morgan speaks volumes both about the ties that bind students totheUniversitylongaftergraduation,andthe strong human connections that each of thecollectionshasthepowertoevoke.ItalsobringsusbackfullcircletoWilliamHunter,whoset a precedent that is clearly honoured to this day.Longmaythiscontinue,sothatthemanystar attractions and hidden treasures that have accumulated and been carefully preserved in theUniversity’scampuscollectionsoverthecenturiesmaybeenjoyedbyourstudents,staff,alumniandvisitorsforyearstocome.

Far left: One of the manyscrapbooksbyGlasgow’sfirstProfessorofGeneticsGuidoPontecorvoTop left: The Darien Scheme coin,PistoleofWilliamII1701Bottom left:DetailfromNicolausJenson’sBreviaryheldintheUniversityLibrary’sSpecialCollections

To find out more about theUniversity’s collections, seewww.glasgow.ac.uk/hunterian,www.glasgow.ac.uk/archivesand www.glasgow.ac.uk/specialcollections.

International alumni eventsAlumni all over the world have been getting together to celebrate their association with the UniversityofGlasgow.RepresentativesfromtheUniversityhaveenjoyedmeetinggraduatesandprospectivestudentsatarangeofsocialeventsandencouragingGlasgow’sesteemednetworkofformer,currentandfuturestudents.www.glasgow.ac.uk/alumni/events

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Shanghai dinner

InMarch,alumni,staffandprospectivestudents met in the Renaissance Shanghai YuGardenHotel.MrChrisColes,DirectorofTaughtPostgraduateDegreeProgrammes,Accounting&Finance,welcomedguests.ProfessorJaneDuckett,DirectoroftheUniversity’sConfuciusInstitute,followedwithaspeechabouttheinstitute,whichteachesChineselanguage,promotesChinesecultureand provides support for businesses in ScotlandhopingtooperateinChina.GuestswerealsotreatedtoanexcellentpresentationbyMissSumiaoZhang(MAcc2010)whospokeaboutherexperienceofGlasgowandhercareersincegraduation.

Kuala Lumpur dinner

TheEquatorialHotelwasthe2012venuefortheannualalumnidinnerinKualaLumpurinMarch.Thedinnerwasenjoyablewithprospectivestudents,alumni,staffandVIPguests getting to know each other over a banquetmeal.ThePrincipalgaveanupdateon current activities at the University and Mr ChowHengChoo(BSc1978)providedanostalgic presentation on his time as a student fromMalaysiastudyinginGlasgow.

Houston

TexasalumniwereinvitedtotheHoustonBackyardBashinJune.SpecialthanksmustgotoChristinePucillo(MA1972)forallofherhard work in putting the gathering together andforopeningupherlovelyhomeandpool.ThanksarealsoduetoHelenMann(MA1967)forallofherassistanceintherun-uptotheevent.Theeveningwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthem!GuestswerejoinedbyProfessorDavidFearn,InternationalDeanfortheAmericas,andcolleaguesfromtheRecruitment&InternationalOffice.

Vancouver

The Glasgow University Alumni Association of British Columbia hosted their tenth Annual GatheringinMayatCheersRestaurant,NorthVancouver.Theeventwasattendedby28guests,whoweredelightedtowelcomeProfessorChrisBerryFRSEasguestspeaker;histalkwasentitled‘ThestateScotlandisin:somemusings’.AwarmwelcomewasmadetonewlyelectedPresident,PeterRichards(BSc1971),andSecretary,SheilaAnderson(LLB1969).SpecialthanksmustgotoEdwardMornin(MA1961)andPeterWaddell(BSc1956)whotirelesslyledthegroupforover a decade and supported the University in theirrespectiveformerrolesasPresidentandSecretaryoftheAssociation.

Singapore Raffles reception

The2012SingaporealumnieventreturnedtotheiconicRafflesHotel.Thereceptionandbuffet dinner marked a celebration of the University’sgrowinglinkswithSingaporeandpartnershipwiththeSingaporeInstituteofTechnology.Itwasanopportunitytomeetupwithfriendsandmakenewacquaintances.ThePrincipalandProfessorJohnChapman,HeadoftheCollegeofScience&Engineering,spokeaboutGlasgowandexcitingdevelopmentsinSingapore.

Taipei dinner

InMarchtheTaiwanAlumniAssociationwerejoinedbyUniversitystaff,fellowgraduates,friends and prospective students at the SheratonTaipeiHotel.MsHsing-HuaChang(MLitt2009)gaveapresentationonhertimeatGlasgow.IanThomson,HeadofInternationalRecruitment,providedanupdateoncurrentactivities at the University and invited all alumni tostayintouch.TheAssociationPresident,ProfessorChiung-MeiChen(PhD2002)warmlyinvitednewmemberstojointhegroupfortheirannualprogrammeofactivities.

Chengdu dinner

GraduatesandfriendsjoinedUniversitystafffor the second alumni event in Chengdu in March.ThebuffetdinnerattheprestigiousShangri-LaHotelprovidedanexcellentsettingfornetworkingandmeetingnewfriends.ProfessorAndreaNolan,SeniorVice-PrincipalandDeputyVice-Chancellor,broughtnewsfromGlasgow.MrHaiweiHan(LLM2006),AlumniAssociationcontactforChengdu,gavean informative and poignant presentation on whatGlasgowmeanttohim.

Austin

AlumnaRitaReilly(MA1961)invitedgraduatesandfriendstojoinherforabarbecueincelebrationofGlasgowinMarch.Rita’sdaughterLauraWielandverykindlyopenedup her wonderful home for the occasion and warmly welcomed guests of all ages andacademicinterests.GuestswatchedapersonalvideomessagefromthePrincipalwhospokeabouttheUniversity’sforward-lookingplans.Thiswasfollowedbyaquickdiscussion during which everybody shared aspectsoftheirownGlasgowstory.Manyguests said how much they look forward to anotherget-together.

Calgary

The first meeting of alumni in Calgary took place inMayattheJamesJoycePubandwasagreatsuccess.ProfessorChrisBerrywasdelighted to host this event and thoroughly enjoyedmeetingallwhoattended.Thegathering was an informal opportunity for alumniintheareatomeetwithfellowgraduates.Many guests were keen to stay in touch with theUniversityandeachother,andfollowingtheeventcontactdetailswereexchanged.

Alumni news

Glasgow alumna Emily Maguire representedGreatBritainattheLondon2012OlympicGamesthissummerandwaspartofthebronzemedalwinningWomen’sHockeyTeam.

Emily began her hockey career at the tender ageoffive,playingforKelburneHockeyClubinPaisley.EmilystudiedMathematicsatGlasgow,graduatingin2009,beforemoving to England where she plays club hockeyforReadingalongsideherfull-timetrainingwiththeGreatBritainsquad.

AnotherGlasgowalumna,AbiWalker,whograduatedin2006,wasreservegoalkeeperforTeamGBduringtheGames.HavingpreviouslyplayedforGlasgowWestern,Abi now plays club hockey for Canterbury intheInvestecWomen’sHockeyLeague,balancing this alongside her career as a surgeonatStGeorge’sHospitalinLondonandtrainingwiththeGreatBritainsquad.

EmilyMaguireattheLondon2012Olympics

Olympic success for Glasgow graduates in women’s hockey

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Emerging Investigator Lectureship Award given to Alumnus of the Year DrPatrickGunning(ourYoungAlumnusoftheYear2010)istherecipientoftheinauguralMedChemCommEmergingInvestigatorLectureshipAward.

ProducedbytheRoyalSocietyofEngineering,the MedChemCommjournal’smissionistopublishandpromoteresearch,whichpushesthe boundaries of what is thought possible inmedicinalchemistry,openingupnewavenuesofresearch.ThecommitteefeltDrGunning to be an outstanding candidate for thelectureship,withhisprominentworkintothe investigation and manipulation of protein functionexemplifyingthejournal’smission.Dr Gunning will deliver the lecture at an internationalconferenceinthenextyear.

Prestigious Fulbright Award for alumnus DrRobertLawson(MAEnglishLanguageandLinguistics,2004,MPhil(Distinction),PhD)hasreceivedaScottishStudiesFulbrightAwardto enable him to research at the University of Pittsburghononeofthemostprestigiousandselective scholarship programmes operating worldwide.Robertsaid,‘Theawardisaonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunitytodevelopmyresearchonurbanadolescentlanguageuse,to learn from some of the international leaders in sociolinguistics and to build links between institutionsinScotland,EnglandandAmerica.’

How to contact alumni newsAlumninewsiseditedbyEmilyHowie.Senddetailsofnewsandreunionsto:Development & Alumni Office 2TheSquare,UniversityofGlasgowGlasgowG128QQ.Tel:+44(0)1413304951Email:alumni@glasgow.ac.uk

GUES Annual General MeetingThe Glasgow University Engineering Society (GUES)helditsAGMinJune.Anewcommittee was elected and new ways of workingusingsocialmediawerediscussed.

AshorttalkwasgivenbyProfessorJohnMarsh,HeadoftheUniversity’sSchoolofEngineering,aboutthescopeofengineeringteachingtodayandJaneWeir,DirectorofCareersServices,spokeabouttheUniversity’saim to work with the alumni community to supportandenhancestudentemployability.Representatives of the committee met with the engineering school to select the winner of the EngineeringSocietymedal.

ToregisteryourinterestintheGUES,pleaseemail:alumni@glasgow.ac.uk.

Glasgow’s link to ICE presidents past and present FormerInstitutionofCivilEngineers(ICE)vice-presidentDavidHutchison(BSc1975),andformerICEpresidentsRichardCoackley(BSc1975)andQuentinLeiper(BSc1975)stand beneath the imposing portrait of JamesWalker,attheICE’sheadquartersinWestminster(picturedlefttoright).Allfour began their engineering careers after graduatingfromGlasgow.

Walker,theICE’ssecondpresident,graduatedfromtheUniversityin1794,aged13,studyingLatinandGreek,LogicandNaturalPhilosophyduringhisfouryearshere.Heembarkedona60-yearcareerandbecamebestknownforprojectssuchasLondon’sCommercialRoad,theironarchdesignofVauxhallBridge,VictoriaBridgeinGlasgowandnumerouslighthouses.2012markedthe150thanniversaryofWalker’sdeathin1862.

RichardCoackleysaid,‘ThestronglinkbetweentheUniversityandtheICEpresidents,bothpastandpresent,isfascinating.Myself,David and Quentin began our engineering paths in Glasgow in the footsteps of one of the engineering greats and each of us has alsohadtheprivilegeofservingtheICEpresidentialteam.DespitebeingmanyyearsafterJamesWalker,andduringverydifferenttimes,wehopewehaveupheldthetraditionsoftheICE,honouredtheexcellentworkdonebyJamesandmaintainedlong-termlinkswiththeUniversity.’

Apology: incorrectly published obituariesSincereapologiestoDrFrankKennedyInnes(MBChB1979)whoisaliveandwell,workinginHongKong.Also,toDavidLawrieThomson(BL1964).

© England Hockey

22

Alumni news

Glasgow engineers inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering ProfessorHerbertIHSaravanamuttoo(BSc1955)andAndrewHWilson(BSc1949)havebeen inducted into the Canadian Academy ofEngineering(CAE)in2011and2012respectively.TheCAEcomprisesCanada’smost distinguished engineers and provides adviceonmattersofnationalimportance.

Inthe1980sProfessorSaravanamuttoowasPresidentoftheCanadianAeronauticsandSpaceInstitute,andDrewWilsonwasPresidentof the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering.MrWilsonwasalsothefirstGlasgowgraduatetobeelectedPresidentoftheEngineeringInstituteofCanada,Canada’soldestsuchsociety,establishedin1887.

ProfessorSaravanamuttoohasover55yearsofexperienceinthefieldofgasturbineengines and his teaching and writing have influencedthedevelopmentofmoreefficientturbinesaroundtheworld.Atthe2012AnnualGeneral Meeting of the CAE he delivered thekeynoteaddress,entitled‘AftertheAvroArrow–lessonslearned’,apresentationonthesubsequentdevelopmentofaircraftdesignandproductioninCanada.MrWilsonservedformanyyearsinagenciesofthePublicServiceofCanada.Sinceheretiredhehascontributed significantly to the recording of the historyofengineeringinCanadaandabroad.

The impact of ideasTheUniversity’sCollegeofArtshasfundedabooklet entitled The Impact of Ideas: Glasgow Moral Philosophy in the 18th Century, in whichAlexanderBroadie,EmeritusProfessorofLogicandRhetoric,andRobinDownie,EmeritusProfessorofMoralPhilosophy,outline the international impact of the ideas of three early occupants of the Chair of Moral PhilosophyatGlasgowUniversity:FrancisHutcheson,AdamSmithandThomasReid.

ThewiderinfluenceoftheseimportantGlasgow thinkers and other contemporaries is notedinanintroductionbyProfessorMurrayPittock,BradleyProfessorofEnglishLiterature,Vice-PrincipalandHeadoftheCollegeofArtsattheUniversity.

Foralumniandothervisitorstothecampuswho wish to read more about the international impact of Glasgow philosophical ideas in the 18thcentury,theillustratedbookletisavailableintheVisitorCentre(Tel:+44(0)1413305511oremail:hilda.degroot@glasgow.ac.uk).

Our international storyTheUniversity’sArchiveServicesisdocumenting the achievements of alumni aroundtheglobesince1451.Theprojectwill create an online resource of profiles of prominent international graduates and their contributionstotheworld.

Archives would like to hear from anyone with new information about eminent international alumni.Email:moira.rankin@glasgow.ac.uk.

Business boostKennethFraser(BAcc2004)hasgraduatedwith an MBA with Distinction as an Edward Tuck Scholar from the Tuck School of Business atDartmouthCollegeintheUnitedStates.HewasrecognisedwiththeJamesAandSabraMHamiltonAwardinAdministration(forbestoverall performance in strategy and general management)andtheJuliaStellAwardfor outstanding contribution to the school community.Foundedin1900,theIvyLeague’sTuckSchoolofBusinessistheworld’soldestgraduatebusinessschool.

AftergraduatingfromGlasgow,KennethjoinedPricewaterhouseCoopersasatraineeChartered Accountant and was named a Top40EmergingEuropeanMergersandAcquisitionsDealmakerbytheFinancial Times Groupatage25.Thisautumn,hewilljoinBain&CompanyinBoston,Massachusetts.Kennethsaid,‘I’mdelightedwithhowmytimeatbusinessschoolworkedout.Theserecognitionsreflecttheworld-classeducationIwasfortunatetoreceiveatGlasgow,whichtaught me how to think effectively about complexissuesandaskgoodquestions.’

Helptraintomorrow’sdoctorsThe School of Medicine is looking for members of the public to act as ‘simulatedpatients’initsVolunteerPatientProgramme.

Simulated patients do not need to have an ongoing medical problem and help toofferhigh-qualitycommunicationand clinical skills teaching to medical students.

Tofindoutmore,email:med-sch-simulatedpatients@glasgow.ac.uk.

InJune,ChorusDirectorIanRobertson(BMus1971)waspresentedwiththeSanFranciscoOperaMedal,thehighesthonourawarded by the company to an artistic professional,byGeneralDirectorDavidGockley.ThepresentationwasmadeonstageattheWarMemorialOperaHousefollowingaperformanceofGiuseppeVerdi’sAttila.AlsopresentwasSanFranciscoOpera Music Director and Attila conductor NicolaLuisotti,thecastofAttila, and the San

Graduate awarded coveted medal by San Francisco Opera

FranciscoOperaChorus.IanRobertsonnowjoinstheranksofpasthonoureesPlacidoDomingo,DameJoanSutherlandandSirGeraintEvans.

DavidGockleysaid,‘IanRobertsoncelebrateshis25thanniversarywithSanFranciscoOperathisyear,andoverthecourse of his distinguished tenure he has ledtheacclaimedSanFranciscoOperaChorusinmorethan300productions.Hehas brought great artistry not only to the lifeofthiscompany,buttothemusicalfabric of the Bay area through his work with theSanFranciscoBoysChorusandotherinstitutions.HeisatreasuredmemberoftheartisticleadershipofSanFranciscoOpera,and it is very fitting that we recognise him in thisway.’

Shaping the future of GilmorehillAttheJanuary2013Half-YearlyMeetingoftheGeneralCouncil,AnnAllen,DirectorofEstatesandBuildings,willupdateusontheUniversity’sGilmorehillcampusstrategy.

TheUniversityhasacquiredtenacresoftheWesternInfirmarysiteandhopestotakeovertheremainingfouracresshortly,enablingittocreateamoderncampus–forward-looking,whilerespectingandenhancingthecharacteroftheexistinghistoricbuildings.

Thisinteractivepresentationwillgiveyou,theGeneralCouncilmembers,anopportunitytoparticipateintheconsultation.Ifyouareinterestedincontributingtothedebate,pleasecomealongtothemeetingonSaturday,19January2013at11am,toplevel,theFraserBuilding.

FindoutmoreabouttheGeneralCouncilatwww.glasgow.ac.uk/generalcouncil.

General Council meetings are now being recorded to allow those members unable to attend toviewtheproceedings.Thefirstrecordingwasofthe4July2012GeneralCouncilmeeting.To view this and future webcasts see www.alumni.gla.ac.uk.

23

Alumni news

Frozen food researcher honoured InJulyProfessorDavidReid(BSc1963,PhD1967)waspresentedwiththethirdannualFrozenFoodFoundationFreezingResearchAwardbytheInternationalAssociationforFoodProtection.Hewasselectedforhisinnovative research that has helped shape the understanding of the fundamental basis of foodfreezing.

ProfessorReidalsoservesonthescientificadvisory committees for both the American FrozenFoodInstitute(AFFI)andtheGlobalColdChainAlliance.HeisafellowoftheInstituteofFoodTechnologistsandtheInternationalAcademyofFoodScienceandTechnology,andwaspresentedwithaCareerLeadershipAwardbyAFFIin2007.ProfessorReidhasservedaseditor-in-chiefoftheJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture since1999.

Double award for geologist DuncanKeppie(BSc1964,PhD)isthe2012recipientoftheGesnerMedal–theDistinguished Scientist Award from the Atlantic GeoscienceSociety.Theawardismadetoanindividual who has developed and promoted the advancement of geoscience in the Atlantic Regioninanyfieldofgeology.Acelebratedgeologist,Duncan’scareerwithgeologicalsurveysanduniversitiesinZambia,NovaScotiaandMexicospans45years.

GeologyisnotDuncan’sonlyareaofexpertise.BothheandhiswifeMaggie(pictured)wererecentlyannouncedastherecipientsofDanceNovaScotia’sDanceInspirationAward.Theyareknownandrespectedprovince-widefortheirknowledgeofScottishdanceandmusic,notonlyofthesteps,butalsothehistoryandcontext.

Above:MaggieandDuncanKeppie,Kentville Advertiser

Making music that mattersAccomplished guitarist and Glasgow graduate JeffGunn(MLittinColonialandPostcolonialStudies2007)istouringwithworld-recognisedhip-hopartistandhumanrightsadvocateEmmanuelJal.

After travelling through Africa and doing researchforaPhDonchildsoldierautobiographies,JeffwaskeentomeettheSouthSudanesechildsoldierturnedmusician:‘Iemailedhimandwemetfordinner–Ithenlanded the gig as his guitarist and have been recordingandtouringwithhimeversince.’

JeffisalsotheauthoroftheguitarbookseriesHidden Sounds Vol 1–4andiscompletinghisPhDatYorkUniversityinTorontoinAfricanHistory.HehopeshiscareerwillinspireotherGlasgowgraduates:‘Setyourgoalsashighasyourwildest dreams and make them a reality throughhardwork,risk-takingandpersistence.’

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2012DrAnneReginaDouglas(MA1979,MAppSci,DClinPsy)wasappointedOBEforservicestothehealthofasylumseekersandrefugees.

ProfessorJamesStewartForsyth(MBChB1973,MD),whowasChairmanoftheNeonatalAdvisoryGroup,wasappointedOBEforservicestochildren’shealthinScotland.

WingCommanderAndrewKeithJohnstone(MSc1988),wasappointedOBEforservicestotheRoyalAirForce.

DrSheenaMaberly(BSc1985,PhD)wasappointedMBE,asManagerE,HMPrisonKirklevingtonGrange,forservicestoHerMajesty’sPrisonService.

ProfessorIanAlexanderShanks(BSc1970,DEng)wasappointedOBEasChairman,ScienceAdvisoryGroupfortheNationalPhysicalLaboratory,forservicestoinnovation.

DrKennethDavidSkeldon(BSc1991,PhD)wasappointedMBE,asHeadofPublicEngagementwithResearch,UniversityofAberdeen,forservicestoscienceengagement.

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Reunion reports

1968 Engineering

Thegroup,accompaniedbytheirwives,spent a very pleasant social weekend in PitlochryattheendofApril.Amongtopicsofconversation were the Engineering Society andtheGUEng68Trust,whichhassupporteda number of undergraduates over the last fewyears.Theweekendconcludedwithaguided tour of the newly reopened Stirling Castlebya’68graduate,HughO’Neill,whoisnowaBlueBadgeguide.A45threunionofgraduationisplannedforautumn2013.Formoreinformation,pleasecontacttheUniversityDevelopment&AlumniOffice.

1970–75 Music

Atotalof17graduatesmetinSeptemberintheTurnbullRoom.MostwereBMusgraduatesfrom1970–75,buttherewerealsosomejointhonoursgraduates.Manyofushadnotseeneachotherforaround40yearsandinsomecaseswedidn’tinitiallyremembereachother,but as the chat developed memories came back.Updatesfromthosewhocouldn’tattendwereprovidedfromSouthAfrica,California,FloridaandArizona,aswellasfromnearertohome.Itwasfascinatingtohearwhatpeoplehad been doing and how their careers had developed.

BDS 72 Summit Club

InMay,memberstogetherwithspousesandpartners,35inall,metintheBlythswoodSquareHotel,Glasgow,tocelebrateour40threunion.MostarestillresidentinScotlandand while unfortunately none of the Australian contingentwasabletojoinus,Svein&LailacamefromNorway,David&IrisfromCanada,andseveralfromsouthoftheborder.Weallenjoyedagreateveningofgoodfoodandcompany.Followingdinnerwewereamused/confrontedbyphotographsandquotationsfromourYearBook,afterwhichNortongavea presentation on the work of the Mercy Ships inSierraLeone.Itwasasuccessfulreunionand many suggested that we should not wait anothertenyearstoholdthenextone.

1972 Psychology

The40thanniversaryreuniontookplaceatGlasgow’sUbiquitousChipinMayandwasattendedby14classmatesandstaffmembers.Amostsuccessfulandamusingnightwasenjoyedbyallandplansareafootforthe45threunionin2017.

1962 Class of Mathematics & Natural Philosophy

InJune,21classmemberspluspartnersreturned to Gilmorehill to meet old friends and renewacquaintances.Ourdaybeganwithaninformal lunch in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and intheafternoontheStudents’RepresentativeCouncil organised a tour of the campus to enableustoseethechangesovertheyears.Later,wemetintheMelvilleandTurnbullSuiteforpre-dinnercocktails,followedbyanexcellentdinnerorganisedbytheUniversityHospitalityServices.Thereweretwolight-heartedspeeches,onereflectingonhowtheworldhaschangedinthepast50yearsand the other doing some crystal ball gazing tolooktothefuture.Wedepartedwithoursouvenir brochure of old class photos and individual photos of us all – then and now – togetherwithsummariesofourlives.

The financial arrangements for the day worked outwellwithathree-figuresumunspent.Itwasagreed unanimously that the money would bebestusedifhandedtotheUniversity’sChancellor’sFund.

1962 Modern Languages

InJune,theclassheldalunchintheUniversitytocelebratethe50thanniversaryoftheirgraduation.With13memberspluspartners,thegatheringnumbered24.Followingadeliciousmeal,thegroupmadeanostalgicvisittotheRandolphHallandtheButeHallforphotographs.Afterwards,therewastimeforreminiscence and conversation to round off a veryenjoyableoccasion.

1972 BVMS

InJune,a40-yearreunionwasheldintheCrownePlazaHotel,Glasgow.Areunionyearbook was produced for everyone and a copy has been deposited at the Vet School forposterity.SarahHunterandGerardMcLauchlanoftheSchoolgaveatouroftheSmallAnimalHospitalontheSaturday.Adonationofover£500wasmadebytheyeargrouptotheJamesHerriotScholarshipFund.

1962 Notre Dame

This50-yearreunionwasheldatTurnbullHallinSeptember.MasswascelebratedforusbyFatherJohnBollan,andwasfollowedbyalongenjoyablelunchandareconnectionoflong-lostfriends.Amemorabledayandallarelookingforwardtothenextone,possiblyfiveyearshence!

1972 Notre Dame

The40threuniontookplaceinTurnbullHallattheUniversityinSeptember.Over70peopleattended.FatherBollancelebratedMassandthiswasfollowedbyabuffetlunch.ThedaywasroundedoffinÒranMór.Itwaslovelytosee everyone after so many years and a great timewashadbyall.

The Alexandrian Society’s 125th Anniversary Celebrations

InMay,adinnerandceilidhwereheldtocelebratetheanniversary.Theeventwasagreatsuccesswith85guestsincludinga representative from every decade going backtothe1950s.Thefinalnumberswereroughly split evenly between past and present students.Asmallmagazineofcreationsby Classics students over the years was produced as a souvenir and there were speechesfromAlexanderBradley-SmithasoutgoingPresidentandDrRonaldKnoxtheSociety’sHonoraryPresident.

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Reunion notices1948–1953/4/5 Gamma Club13 June 2013, Marriott Hotel, GlasgowThose medical graduates who started in 1948andgraduatedin1953/4/5plantomeetfordinner,followedbyabuffetlunchattheUniversitythenextday.Formoreinformation,email:laura.morton@glasgow.ac.uk;tel:+44(0)1413303878orJohnDall,email:johndall@me.comortel:+44(0)1415857585.

1958 Beta Club12–14 September 2013, Grosvenor Hotel, GlasgowTheclubwillcelebrateits55threunion.Formoreinformation,contactStuartParker,email:stuartparker1@me.comortel:+44(0)1698882724/+44(0)7973186096.

1960 Delta Club7 September 2013, 1A The Square, University of GlasgowFollowingasuccessfulthree-dayreunioninJunetomarkour52ndanniversarywith70attendees,weplantomeetforlunchatGilmorehill.Ifyouhave not already received information about this event and would like to attend please contactAnneLoudon,tel:+44(0)1416394195oremail:AnneEPL@aol.com.

1963 Natural Philosphy/Maths Advance notice – June 2013, GlasgowA50thanniversaryreunionisplanned,provisionally on two days around University CommemorationDayon12June.Ifyouwouldbeinterestedincoming,andifyou know contact details for other class members,pleasecontactGeraldRatzer,email:gerald.ratzer@mcgill.caorRobertSmith,email:r.c.smith@sussex.ac.ukorDepartmentofPhysics&Astronomy,UniversityofSussex,BrightonBN19QH.

1963 Honours Chemistry class 12–14 June 2013, University of GlasgowAgoldenreunionisplanned.WehopetheclasswilljoinintheUniversity’sCommemorationDaycelebrationson12June.OntheThursdaythere will be a tour of the School of Chemistry andthecampusfollowedbyourclassdinner.ApossibleextensionintotheFridaywillinvolve visits within Glasgow and district and aceilidh.ContactAlanCameron,tel:+44(0)1358720130;email:aicameron21@gmail.com.

1963 Civil Engineering Advance notice, April 2013JamesLivingstonandDiarmidTroupareplanninga50threunion.Ifyouwereamember of this class and would like to get intouchwiththem,pleasecontactJames,email:jayliv538@talktalk.net.

BDS 1963 Golden Jubilee celebrationAdvance notice, June 2013, Glasgow A50thanniversaryreunionisproposed,planned around University Commemoration DayonWednesday,12JunewithadinnerontheTuesdayevening.Atthisstagethepriorityistocontactasmanyofyouaspossible.

Ifyouareabletojoinus,pleasecontactNormanRoback,email:rbnrm9@aol.comorRichardDay,email:rm.day@virgin.net.Pleasespreadthewordto any of our classmates with whom you havekeptintouch.

1963 Beta Club6–8 September 2013, GlasgowTheclubisholdinga50threunion.FormoreinformationpleasecontactJJBoyd,email:jjboyd@shaw.caorRSThomson,email:rbtscottayr@aol.com.

MacBrayne Hall reunion Advance notice, September 2013, GlasgowIfyouwerearesidentherebetween1964/65and1968/69andwouldbeinterestedinattendingareunion,provisionallyon14September,pleasecontactJohnFarmer,email:J.G.Farmer@ed.ac.uk.

1968 Chemistry 21 September 2013, Millennium Hotel, GlasgowA45thanniversaryreuniondinnerisplanned.Finaldetailsofcost,etc,willbeavailableinJune2013.Pleaseemail:dmilne1956@yahoo.co.ukifyouhavenotalreadyreceivedanemailfrommeasIamseekingabout15classmembersnotyetlocated.

1968 Engineers 19 October 2013, University of GlasgowThe45thanniversaryreunionwillbeginwithadrinksreceptionintheMelvilleRoom,followedbydinnerintheRandolphHall.ContactJimUrquhart,email:theurquharts@hotmail.co.uktoregisterinterestorfindoutmoreinformation.

1974 Gamma Club Advance notice – 2014The club is delighted to announce the launch of its website at www.gammaglasgow74.org.uk.Wearecurrentlyplanningournextreunion.Pleasegetintouchifyouwouldliketoattend. 1978 Electronic Engineers (Blown Fuse Society)Advance notice – September 2013, GlasgowOurplanistohavea35-yearreunion(provisionally27/28September)withthemain event on a Saturday evening but with optionalweekendevents,ifenoughinterest.Our aim is to make this event bigger than the30threunion.ContactKenMacPherson,email:kenneth.macpherson@selexgalileo.comortel:+44(0)7801714163.

1983 BDS 22 June 2013, Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow Alyson,Viv,AnnibaleandDavidareorganisinganinformal30threunion.Weareplanning to precede this evening with an ice-breakerinaWestEndbarontheFriday.Ifanyonehasbeenmissedinadvertentlyandwouldliketobeincluded,pleaseemailAnnibale:aneebos@aol.com.

1987 Civil Engineering

Ourspecial25yearsreunionbuffet/drinksevening was held in the beautiful traditional surroundingsoftheUniversity’sMelvilleRoominSeptember2012.Around28ofusparticipated,includingsixofourlecturers.Itwasasuperoccasiontocatchuptogether,theconversationsflowedonandon,andtheUniversitycateredforusextremelywell.Wemissedthoseworkingoverseasonthenight,andtheSouthEastAsiaclassmatecontingent,towhomphotosoftheeventwillbecirculated.

We plan another reunion in the coming few years.PleasekeepincontactwithKarenDinardo,email:k.dinardo@dinardo.co.uk.

Vet School 150th anniversary banquet (included reunion class groups ’2 and ’7)

During2012theSchoolofVeterinaryMedicinehasbeencelebrating150yearssinceitsfoundationbyJamesMcCallin1862.Thefocalpoint of the anniversary took place in October withamagnificentgalabanquetintheHunterHallsattheUniversity,followedbyaceilidhintheButeHall.Over350alumniattendedfromboththeUKandoverseas,includingAustralia,SouthAfricaandtheUnitedStates.

Commemoration Day 2012

Graduates from all disciplines met to celebratetheirjubileeyearsincegraduationatCommemorationDayinJune2012attheUniversity.Induecoursewewillbeinviting1963graduatestothe2013CommemorationDayon12June2013.

Full-time MBA 2001–02 tenth year reunion

InMay,theUniversitywelcomedBusinessSchoolalumnifromaroundtheworld.Thethree-dayeventincludedatouroftheUniversity facilities and a dinner reception intheTurnbullRoom.AlumniattendedfromGlasgow,China,Taiwan,Germany,IrelandandSwitzerland.TimewasalsospentrevisitingtheoldhauntsofAshtonLane.AbigthankstoPamCastledineforhersupportinorganising.

26

The General CouncilBusiness news and reports. Prepared and supplied for the General Council by Robert Marshall, Clerk to the General Council. Email: clerkgc@glasgow.ac.uk

Papers for consideration at the Half-Yearly Meeting of the General Council, 19 January 2013:1. Minutes of the Meeting of the General Council held on 23 June 2012 (see below).2. Paper A. Report by the Principal on the work and activities of the University (see page 28).3. Other papers for consideration can be found at www.glasgow.ac.uk/alumni/getinvolved/generalcouncil.

Alumni participationTheDevelopment&AlumniOffice(DAO)advised that it did not see a strong case for holding General Council meetings outside Glasgow; or integrating the meetings into their events.TheysuggestedaninitialweekdayeventinGlasgow,heldafterworkonacampuslocation associated with a school or college providing a keynote speaker; students could be invited to mingle with General Council members.TheConvenerinvitedthosepresenttocompleteaquestionnaireontheissue:theirresponses would be taken into account in continuingDAOdiscussions.ItisplannedthatakeynotespeakerwilladdresstheJanuary2013GeneralCouncilmeeting.

Onincreasedalumniparticipation,theConvener thanked the web cam sub-committeeforasuccessfultrialrecordingoftheJanuary2012meeting;aprofessionalvideo recording was being made of the current meeting,withaviewtomountingtherecordingontheUniversitywebsite.Theultimateintentionislivescreeningofmeetings.Itwashoped that progress would soon be made on better communication with General Council membersviaemail.

TheConvenerexpressedhisgratitudetotheeditorial board of Avenue for the advertisement intheJune2012edition,encouragingreadersto become involved with the General Council anditsBusinessCommittee.

Business Committee mattersThe General Council Standing Orders need to bebroughtuptodate;asub-committeehasbeen established to bring recommendations totheJanuary2013meetingforconsiderationandadoption.

At the regular meeting of the four ancient ScottishUniversitiesbusinesscommittees,mattersunderdiscussionincluded:substitution of postal elections by online elections; the Scottish Government higher education governance reforms; a paper Putting learners at the centre – delivering ambitions for post-16 education; student fees; andholdingGeneralCouncilmeetingsoff-site.

The Business Committee will hold longer meetingstodealwithincreasedbusiness.InMarchProfessorAndreaNolan,SeniorVice-Principal,providedanupdateonthenewcollegestructure,togetherwithamid-termreviewoftheUniversity’sinternationalisationstrategy,aimedatenhancingitsglobalreachandreputation.ProfessorMassimoPignatelli,HeadoftheSchoolofMedicine,gave a presentation on school activities

anddevelopments,including:changesintheproblem-basedlearningundergraduatecourse;andtheschool’spresenceinthenewSouthernGeneralHospital.InJuly,theCommittee meeting will take a tour of the UniversityLibraryandhearapresentationfromtheUniversityLibrarian,MsHelenDurndell.

The Convener thanked the Clerk to the General Councilforhishelp.

Duringcommentsandquestions,MrHarryAdams reminded the meeting that General Council Assessors used to hold meetings with Senate Assessors and the University managementteambeforeCourt.TheConvener replied that the Business Committee was aware of the need for communication with academic staff and that a meeting with HeadsofCollegeandschoolisplannedforthenewsession.ABusinessCommitteemember(DrBobbyLogan)welcomedtheregular attendance at committee meetings ofthePrincipalandtheSecretaryofCourt.TheConvenerofCourt(MrDavidRoss)alsoexplainedthatSenateAssessorsmeetinformallywithlayCourtmembers.ThePrincipaladdedthatseniorUniversitymanagement always tried to respond to mattersraisedbylaymembersofCourt.

Mr Alan Brown reviewed the history of determining the day of the General Council meetings,pointingoutthatvariousdayshadbeentried.

Inresponsetoacommentthatthosenotatthe meeting could not complete the paper questionnaire,theConvenernotedthattheCommittee would be working with DAO and otherstoestablishelectroniccommunication,therebyfacilitatingopinionsurveys.MrsIrisAdams stated that the General Council used tohaveastandatgraduationsexplainingwhatthe General Council did; and that there used tobealunchafterthemeetings.TheConvenerwas unsure how well attended such lunches mightbe.

Election of General Council Business Committee member Onenomination,dulyproposedandseconded,wasreceivedforapersontobeelected to serve as a member of the General CouncilBusinessCommittee.ThenomineeisMrMichaelScott.Councilresolvedtoelectthe nominee mentioned to be a member of the GeneralCouncilBusinessCommittee.

26

Minutes of the General Council Half-Yearly Meeting held on 23 June 2012 in the Wolfson Medical School BuildingTheChancellor,ProfessorSirKennethCalman,took the chair and welcomed those present to themeeting.

Election of General Council Assessors to serve on the University CourtThe Chancellor asked the General Council to notethatthreenominations,dulyproposedandseconded,hadbeenreceivedforpersonsto be elected to serve as General Council AssessorsoftheUniversityCourt:MrDavidRoss,MrDavidAndersonandMrBrianMcBride.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2012 TheminutesofthemeetingheldonSaturday,21January2012,printedinAvenueissue52,(June2012)wereapproved.Therewerenomattersarising.

The Chancellor suggested that it would be valuableforHeadsofCollegeordelegatestoattendtheGeneralCouncilmeetings,ifavailable; and that they could be invited to speakasanagendaitem.

Report of the Convener of the Business Committee, Mr George Tait The Convener reported that since the last GeneralCouncilmeeting:

Modernisation and communicationThe Business Committee had focused on the modernising recommendations mentioned in hispreviousreport,relatingtotheCommittee’sroleandpurpose.Moreinformationisnowbeing received from University management through advance briefings with the Secretary of Court,withadedicatedagendaitemtowhichthePrincipalorSecretaryofCourtspeaks.The Committee still has room for use as a sounding board by University management on appropriatecontemporaryissues.

Discussions have taken place with the General Council Assessors on Court about Business Committeecontributions,aswellastakingviewsfromGeneralCouncilmembers.Theseviews should preferably be received before decisionsaremade.TheBusinessCommitteeis informed of Court matters through an assessorexpandingontheCourtConvener’sReport.

League tablesThe University does not measure its success throughleaguetables;however,ithasenjoyedarise(toapositionbetween14thand22nd)inthethreemainnationalleaguetables:theComplete University Guide; The Guardian; and The Times.IftheUniversitycandobetterintheResearchAssessmentExercise,itcouldrankfifthorsixthintheUK.

Budget and financial forecast ThePrincipalstressedthatitwasvitaltogettheUniversity’sfinancialpositionright.Theforecastsurplusin2012–13is£5.5mand the forecast range of outcomes up to 2015–16isalsopositive.Mostofthegrowthisteaching-led,asfundingcouncilsarecuttingbackonresearchbudgets.Thereareriskstothisforecast,includingevenlowerresearchfunding,pensioncharges,higherwageinflationandslowergrowthinstudentfees.

Investments The surpluses will be used in part to invest inacademicstaff:researchfellowships,researchleaders,enhanceddowries,arangeof senior lecturers and lecturer posts across allfourcolleges.Forexample,twochairshaverecentlybeenfilledinmodernlanguages,aswellasalecturerpostinPortuguese.

Therearealsomajorthematicstrategicinvestmentsacrossthefourcolleges,coveringalltheschooldisciplines,e.g.syntheticbiology,sensorsystems,publicpolicyandScottishstudies.TheUniversityistheUK’sleadinginstitutioninScottishstudies.

With1,300postgraduatestudents,theAdamSmith Business School is second only to LondonBusinessSchoolintermsofstudentnumbers.Thesurplusfundproducedbythese additional students is being invested acrosstheUniversity,includingsupportfortheResearchExcellenceFramework.

TheStudentRecruitment&InternationalOfficeisreceivinginvestment,asisthefundraisingactivity provided by DAO; hitherto fundraising wasproject-focusedbutactivitywillnowbebroadened to support all the colleges with scholarships,fellowshipsandotherfundraisingobjects.

Research Excellence Framework (REF)ThePrincipalpaidtributetohiscolleaguesinallpartsoftheUniversityfortheirREFpreparationwork,includingimpactstudiesoftheeffectsofresearch,includingoutputsinnon-traditionalareassuchasthearts.

Physical environmentThePrincipaldescribedfourgreatmomentsoftheUniversity’shistoricaldevelopment:thePapalBullfoundingtheUniversity;movingfromtheGlasgowCathedralcryptin1460,bymeansofagiftfromLordHamiltonforlandintheHighStreet,wheretheUniversityremainedfor400years;followingtheopeningofasubscriptionlist,thebuildingoftheoldCollegeinthe1690s,largelybydonation;themovein1870totheGilbertScottbuildinginGilmorehill,fundedbydonationsof£150mintoday’sterms,theremainderfundedbygovernment.

ThefifthphaseistherecentacquisitionoftenacresoftheWesternInfirmarysite.Theremainingfouracresareundernegotiation.Very few universities have a complete city campuslikeGlasgow’s.TheUniversityintendsinthenext20–30yearstoinvestover£400minthesite.

Questions and commentsA member congratulated the University on its wideningstudentaccesspolicy.ThePrincipalexplainedthattheUniversityperformsbestamongtheScottishancientuniversities,attracting10%oftheMD20students(MultipleDeprivation,lowest20%).MrRonaldSingletonwondered whether attracting these groups compromisesacademicstandards.ThePrincipalexplainedthatmaturestudentsinthese groups received considerable support beforetheyenterUniversity.IftheUniversitycancarryoutduediligence,managethestudents’accommodationneedsandgetthemthroughYear1,theoutcomesintermsofHonoursclassificationsarejustasgoodasotherstudents.

Mr Duncan Marley referred to government effortstolimitnon-EUstudents.ThePrincipalnoted that the Scottish Government has no say inthematter.99%ofoverseasgraduatesdonotwanttoremainintheUK.

Mr George Tait stated that the Business Committee would meet the new Estates & BuildingsDirector,MsAnnAllen.MsRuthSharpfeltthatthenewWesternInfirmarysiteofferedwonderfularchitecturalopportunities.

Closure of the meetingThe Chancellor thanked all those present for theirattendance.HeinformedthemeetingthatthenextmeetingwouldbeheldonSaturday,19January2013at11amonthetopflooroftheFraserBuilding.

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Principal’s Report, given by the Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anton Muscatelli TheChancellorinvitedthePrincipaltoaddressthemeeting.

Progress on fulfilling 2020 – a global vision ThePrincipalhighlightedsomeofthe20KeyPerformanceIndicators(KPIs)usedbytheCourt and University management to measure Universityprogressandsuccess.Themainacademicindicatorsarea)researchb)studentexperienceandc)internationalisationi.e.enhancingglobalreachandreputation.

The picture overall is one of improvement against benchmarks in research income and thenumberofstaffholdingresearchgrants.There is room for improvement in research outputquality,measuredindependentlyevery5–7yearsbytheRAE(ResearchAssessmentExercise);andin2014bytheREF(ResearchExcellenceFramework).Betweentheseformalexercises,theUniversitycarriesoutinternalmeasurementswhichshowimprovement,although there are methodological problems in covering all the research carried out in the University.ThereareimprovementsinthenumberofPhDstudents;andthesestudentsaremoresatisfiedthaninthepast.

Instudentexperience,theUniversityistryingto reduce the number of home undergraduate students in line with Scottish Government targets.Thenumberofinternationalpostgraduate taught students is growing veryrapidly.TheUniversityisjointthirdintheRussellGroupforstudentsatisfaction,afterOxfordandCambridge.Studentretentionisalsoimproving,i.e.studentsaredroppingoutlessfrequently.Theirjobprospectsarealsoimproving.

The University is becoming more of a selecting institutioninallsubjects:greaternumbersofbetterqualifiedstudentsareapplyinginallareas(notjustMedicineandLaw),agreatimprovementoverpastyears.TheUniversityhasoneofthecountry’sbestwideningparticipationschemes.

InternationalisationThe University is increasing its proportion of(non-EU)internationalstudentsto24%ofthepopulation,closingthegaponotherinstitutionsandofferingadiversecommunity.Thisisamajorsuccessstory.Intermsofstudentexperience,theUniversityistopintheUKandthirdintheworld,accordingtothe2011InternationalStudentBarometer.Theincreaseinfull-timeinternationalstudentsisrapidlyclosingthegapwiththeRussellGroupaverage.

The General Council was set up by Act ofParliamenttogivevoicetotheviewsofthe graduates and teaching staff on the regulationandwellbeingoftheUniversity.All graduates and teaching staff are entitledtoattendmeetings.

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The General Council Paper A: Report by the PrincipalAt the time of writing we are just coming through the registration period and it’s good to report that our undergraduate (UG) registrations remain strong, with international UG numbers ahead of target. Our postgraduate taught numbers have increased too, with a 7% year on year growth in international students. As we look forward, we know that competition for Rest-of-UK (RUK) UG recruitment will increase in future as many English universities fell well short of their recruitment targets. The University is therefore looking at a range of strategies to improve our RUK recruitment.

One of the strands of our overall recruitment strategy is our commitment to widening access.OurREACHprogramme,forexample,has been established to encourage potential studentsfromnon-traditionalbackgroundstothink about applying to a degree programme inoneofthefourprofessions(Medicine,Dentistry,LawandVeterinaryMedicine).Injustovertwoyearswehaveputinplaceanannualprogrammecovering92schools,around1,500pupils,acrosstheagespanofS4toS6.There’sevidencethattheschemeisalready bearing fruit and this is a tribute to the magnificentsupportandpartnershipenjoyedacrossourwideningparticipationteam,thefourprofessions,allthelocalauthoritiesinvolved and the participating secondary schools.Thisisjustoneexampleofaraftofwideningaccessinitiativeswerun.TheseincludetheTop-UpProgrammestartedin1999,whichworkswithover40schoolsandengageswitharound1,200S5andS6pupils,ourSummerSchool,whichhasbeenrunningsince1985,theUniversityTasterWeeksandourAccesstoPrimaryEducationProgrammewhichhasrunfor12years.

All of these programmes in their differentways aim to encourage young people who might not have traditionally considered higher educationtoseeitasarealoptionforthem.These schemes are also supported by our TalentScholarships,whichwerelaunchedin2007/08,and50newscholarshipsworth£1,000perannumareawardedannuallytosupport high achievement applicants who might otherwise struggle to attend university duetofinancialhardship.

While seeking to attract talented students from allbackgrounds,it’salsovitalthatweprovidethebeststudentexperiencewecan.InthemostrecentUK-wideNationalStudentSurvey2012,wescoredanoverallstudentsatisfactionratingof89%–4%higherthantheaveragefor the higher education institution sector and werefirst,orjointfirst,ineightsubjects,acrosstheUK.

Inaddition,theUniversityhasenjoyedsomevery encouraging results across a range of leaguetables.Werosefiveplacesfrom59thto54thinthelatestQSWorldRankings(2012).InUKleaguetableswerosesevenplacesto14thintheGuardiantable,sevenplacesto15thinTheTimesGoodUniversityGuide,fourplacesto17thintheCompleteUniversity

Guideandoneplaceto19thintheSundayTimesUniversityGuide.WhilethelatestTimesHigherRankings(released2012)offeredmorechallengingoutcomes,westillremainoneoffourScottishuniversitiesinthetop200intheworld,andareranked19thoutofallUKinstitutions.

However,asI’verepeatedlystressed,wearenot driven by league tables but by our strategy as contained in Glasgow 2020: A global vision. Pursuingexcellenceinthestudentexperienceisoneofourstrategicgoals.Pursuingexcellenceinourresearchisanotherandtwosignificanteventsillustratethepoint.

InSeptemberwecelebratedthelaunchofThePeopleofMedievalScotlandproject,officiallyopenedbyCabinetSecretaryMikeRussell.ThiscollaborativeprojectledbyGlasgowhascataloguedandputonlinesome8,600documentswrittenbetween1093and1314,so making them available to scholars and the public.Itstandsasasignificantachievement,one that will be of lasting value for years to come. AlsoinSeptember,IhadtheprivilegeoflaunchingGlasgowPolyomics.GlasgowPolyomics,basedwithintheCollegeofMedical,Veterinary&LifeSciences,isbuiltaroundtheconceptofourresearchinstitutes,whichaimtoharnessandthriveoninter/multidisciplinarywork.Theresourceenhancestheprovisionavailableinthe‘omics’strandsinGlasgow–genomics,proteomicsandmetabolomics – which underpin medical andlifesciences.Withstate-of-the-arttechnologies,skilledtechnologistsandtalentedbio-informaticians,itisaversatileresource,readytorespondtoarapidlychangingworldofdata,andimportantcollaborations are already in place with electronicengineers,computerscientists,statisticiansandchemists,allofwhomcanbenefitfrompolyomics.

Butsuchinitiatives,andthesuccessesweenjoy,aredowntoourpeople.That’swhyourcurrent investment plans are firmly focused ontwostrands:attractingresearchleadersat professorial level and new talent fellowship opportunities.AndaswepreparefortheResearchExcellenceFrameworkin2014,it’sdoublyvitalthatweattract,andretain,theverybest.

The third key area of our strategy is internationalisation.Welcominginternationalstudents to our campus is one strand of thisstrategy,butitalsoinvolvesmakingconnections with universities and friends aroundtheworld.SincemylastreportinJune,Ihave,forexample,hadthepleasureofwelcomingtheVice-PresidentofMalagaUniversityandthePresidentoftheUniversityofMainztotheUniversity,bothimportantconnectionsparticularlyforourCollegeofArts.I’vehosteddinnersformedicalcolleaguesfromColumbiaUniversity,oneofourkeypartnersintheUSA,whowereattendingacardiovascularsymposium,andadelegationfromSunYat-SenUniversity,oneoftheleadinguniversitiesinthePeople’sRepublicofChina.DuringOctoberIvisitedtheUSAandCanadaandattendedvariousalumnievents,andIwillalsobetravellingtoSingaporeandBeijinginDecember.

Such trips are in part about building academic collaborations,buttheyarealsoaboutcementing our alumni links and meeting with ournetworkoffriendsandsupporters.Andithas been a great year to celebrate our alumni andstudents,symbolisedintheachievementsofsinger/songwriterEmeliSandé,runner-upintheBBC’sThe Great British Bake OffJamesMorton,andOlympicrowinggoldmedallistKatherine Grainger who features in this edition of Avenue.Theyofferproof,ifproofwereneeded,ofthediverserangeoftalentsourstudents and graduates possess and which enablesthemtogoontoexcelinawiderangeoffields.It’sgoodforustoremembertheexcellentthingstheUniversitydoesandproduces,andthegreatresponsibilityandprivilegewehaveasaconsequence,toensureitcontinuestodosoforyearstocome.

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What’s on @ The Hunterian

1. Allan Ramsay, Lady Anne Campbell, Countess of Strafford, 1743.2. The interior of the old Hunterian Museum3. The Antonine Wall display

All © The Hunterian, University of Glasgow 2012

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This Unrivalled Collection: The Hunterian’s first catalogue15 February–11 August 2013Hunterian Art Gallery (Admissionfree)

In1813,CaptainJamesLaskey(c1760–1829)published his General Account of the Hunterian Museum.ThecomprehensivevolumedescribedalltheobjectsintheoldHunterianMuseum,creatingthefirsteverHunteriancatalogueandvisitorguide.TheexhibitioncelebratesLaskey’sgreatendeavourandhighlightsthelonghistoryofTheHunterianandthebreadthofitscollections.Theexhibitionbringstogethervariousobjectsfromacrossthecollections which were displayed together in theoldHunterianMuseum,includingthecastoftheRosettaStone,aRenaissanceshield,insectcabinets,worksofartandcoinsandmedals.

Allan Ramsay13 September 2013–5 January 2014Hunterian Art Gallery (Admissioncharge)

ThismajornewexhibitionisdedicatedtoAllanRamsay(1713–84),oneofBritain’smostaccomplished18th-centurypainters.BorninEdinburgh,hiscareertookhimfromasmallScottishclienteletotheHanoveriancourtofKingGeorgeIII.TheexhibitioncentresonaselectionofportraitsfromRamsay’s30yearsasapainterandalsofeaturesdrawings,watercolours,publishedbooks,pamphlets,letters and other materials which demonstrate Ramsay’sfascinatingplaceintheintellectual

andculturallifeofEdinburgh,London,ParisandRomeinthemid-18thcentury.TheexhibitionalsoincludeskeyloansfromUK public and private collections and new research,examiningtheintellectualcontextinwhich Ramsay painted a number of his most importantportraits,includingthatofHunterianfounderDrWilliamHunter.

The Antonine Wall: Rome’s Final FrontierHunterian Museum (Admissionfree)

Thisspectaculargalleryexploresthebiographyof one of the most important monuments of RomanBritainandshowcasestheuniquecollection of monumental sculpture and other Roman artefacts recovered from the Antonine Wall.‘TheAntonineWall:Rome’sFinalFrontier‘alsoreflectsthestoryofoverthreecenturiesof collecting and research by the University on theWorldHeritageSite.

The Hunterian FriendsTheHunterianFriendsschemeoffersmembersarangeofexclusivebenefits.HunterianFriendsgivevitalsupportandmakeadirectcontributiontowardsnewexhibitionsandgalleries,oureducationandconservationwork,andtonewacquisitions.BenefitsincludefreeadmissiontoHunterianspecialexhibitionsand a special programme of member eventsledbyHunteriancurators.Forfurtherinformation,visitourwebsite.

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About The Hunterian

TheHunterianisoneofScotland’smostimportantculturalassets.Foundedin1807,itisScotland’soldestpublicmuseumandhome to one of the largest collections outsidetheNationalMuseums.

OpenonSundays!TheHunterianisopenfromTuesdaytoSaturday10am–5pmandSunday11am–4pm.

FreeadmissiontotheMuseum,ArtGalleryandTheMackintoshHouse.Admissionchargeforsomeexhibitions(freetoUniversity of Glasgow staff and students withvalidstaff/registrationcard).

Hunterian Art Gallery, 82HillheadStreet,UniversityofGlasgow,GlasgowG128QQ.

Hunterian Museum,MainBuilding,UniversityofGlasgow,GlasgowG128QQ.

Tel:+44(0)1413304221

Forupdatesonprogrammesandevents,see www.glasgow.ac.uk/hunterian.

30University of Glasgow GlasgowG128QQ Scotland,UKGeneral switchboard tel: +44 (0)141 330 2000www.glasgow.ac.uk

TheUniversityofGlasgow,charitynumberSC004401