Latest news with #AbertayUniversity
The Independent
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Interim head appointed at university after damning report into financial crisis
A new interim principal has been appointed at the University of Dundee less than 24 hours after a damning report prompted his predecessor's resignation. Professor Nigel Seaton will take on the role on a short-term basis after Professor Shane O'Neill and two other senior officials at the university stepped down on Thursday. Prof O'Neill's departure was hastened by a report into the financial crisis facing the institution, which is struggling with a £35 million black hole. The report found management had 'failed' to 'properly respond to the worsening situation'. It identified Prof O'Neill, former principal Professor Iain Gillespie and ex-chief operating officer Jim McGeorge as a 'triumvirate' at the top of the institution who were believed by other staff to be making 'key university decisions'. In his resignation statement, Prof O'Neill said it was important for the university to be able to 'move on'. Prof Seaton – who served as principal and vice-chancellor of Abertay University between 2012 and 2022 – was previously the interim provost at Dundee University before taking the top job. He said he is 'honoured' to take up the position, adding: 'The university faces considerable challenges in its recovery from a difficult financial position, and from what I know has been a very difficult period for staff. 'I am ready to work with my colleagues and with the university court to set the university on its way to a sustainable and successful future. 'In all this, we should not lose sight of the things that make this university such a great place. 'Prime among those is graduation, and I look forward to playing a part in the ceremonies next week to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful graduates.' Dr Ian Mair, the deputy chairman of the university court, said he is 'grateful' Prof Seaton is willing to 'lend us stability at this challenging time'.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Interim head appointed at university after damning report into financial crisis
A new interim principal has been appointed at the University of Dundee less than 24 hours after a damning report prompted his predecessor's resignation. Professor Nigel Seaton will take on the role on a short-term basis after Professor Shane O'Neill and two other senior officials at the university stepped down on Thursday. Prof O'Neill's departure was hastened by a report into the financial crisis facing the institution, which is struggling with a £35 million black hole. The report found management had 'failed' to 'properly respond to the worsening situation'. It identified Prof O'Neill, former principal Professor Iain Gillespie and ex-chief operating officer Jim McGeorge as a 'triumvirate' at the top of the institution who were believed by other staff to be making 'key university decisions'. In his resignation statement, Prof O'Neill said it was important for the university to be able to 'move on'. Prof Seaton – who served as principal and vice-chancellor of Abertay University between 2012 and 2022 – was previously the interim provost at Dundee University before taking the top job. He said he is 'honoured' to take up the position, adding: 'The university faces considerable challenges in its recovery from a difficult financial position, and from what I know has been a very difficult period for staff. 'I am ready to work with my colleagues and with the university court to set the university on its way to a sustainable and successful future. 'In all this, we should not lose sight of the things that make this university such a great place. 'Prime among those is graduation, and I look forward to playing a part in the ceremonies next week to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful graduates.' Dr Ian Mair, the deputy chairman of the university court, said he is 'grateful' Prof Seaton is willing to 'lend us stability at this challenging time'.
The Courier
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Fancy a cuppa? Dundee scientists need you to help probe tea health benefits
People have long used a good cup of tea to turn a bad day around. Now, researchers from Abertay University are exploring whether tea can be used to offset the health challenges faced by postmenopausal women. If proved that it can, the project may be a breakthrough for postmenopausal health – an area that is still understudied. Lead researcher Dr Sarah Cottin of Abertay University's Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences said: 'The symptoms of menopause are varied and impact life at many levels, including work and relationships. 'Many women are unaware that their symptoms may be related to menopause.' The university is working with women's health innovation company Oshun Labs on the project. Together, they are particularly interested in whether the English breakfast tea – which has been designed so it is rich in antioxidants – can impact the women's chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is deadly. It kills twice as many women as breast cancer and is especially prevalent in postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, oestrogen mitigates how much fat is deposited on artery walls. This reduces the risk of somebody developing atherosclerosis. Due to their naturally lower oestrogen levels, postmenopausal women are at a much greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is where the antioxidant-rich tea comes in. Antioxidants have previously been shown to help prevent cardiovascular disease, especially by slowing down the development of atherosclerosis. However, it remains to be seen whether the antioxidant rich tea is effective. 'More research is required to better understand the links between nutrition, menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular health, and the risk of potentially serious health conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, heart failure, stroke or heart attack,' Sarah said. 'We know the UK is a nation of tea drinkers so there is really positive potential for using a cuppa as the delivery vehicle for additional nutrients,' Sarah noted. People can be very particular about their tea. Because of this the team at Abertay University have ensured that, although they've packed as many antioxidants into the English breakfast tea as possible, they have not sacrificed its taste, colour or aroma. This should ensure that the tea is appealing as possible. The team are currently recruiting people for the study. If you are a non-smoker aged between 45-74 and have no problem with drinking a cup of tea every day for eight weeks, this might be the study for you. Participants will receive a lot of data about their health. They will also be compensated for their time. If taking part sounds like your cup of tea, you can learn more by visiting the project's website.
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Best pictures from Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2025
The Abertay Digital Graduate Show returned for another year this weekend as Dundonians were treated to a spectacle of talent. This year's event features over 140 honours projects spanning a broad range of digital themes, including concept art, character design and animation. The showcase began on Thursday and will run until Saturday. The show is being held over two floors at the Kydd Building – home to Abertay University's National Centre for Excellence in Games Education. VIP guests from across the UK games industry are also in attendance, engaging with students and viewing their innovative projects. Doors are open between 12pm to 4pm. .
The Courier
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Inside the weird and wonderful World Haggis Championships in Perth
I'm quite partial to a bit of haggis. I've even been known to eat it when it's not Burns Night. But did you ever come face to face with 56 cold haggises, all plated up and waiting for your verdict? That's the sight that drained the colour from my sonsie face at Perth's Dewars Centre on Sunday. But it's not every day you're asked to help select a new World Haggis Champion. So what's a glutton to do but roll up her sleeves, pull on her apron and get stuck in? The contest happens every two years and there's fierce competition to be crowned THE great chieftain of the pudding race. Fortunately I've been paired with head judge Jon Wilkin, and by the time I arrive at Dewars, the Scottish Craft Butchers fair is in full swing and he's making short work of the field. Jon's a reader in food innovation at Abertay University, and he's devised a scoring system that marks each haggis according to its uncooked and cooked appearance, aroma, texture and taste. The first thing that strikes this rank amateur is how different they all look. Some are in plastic wrapping. Most are in the traditional sheep's stomach lining. And they vary in shape and size from butcher's fist to child's rugby ball. 'You want a firm covering,' explains Jon. 'But not so thick that you can't see what's inside.' We pick up a decent-looking contender and slice through it with a sharp knife. John reels back, grimacing. 'Oh that's a bit peely-wally,' he tells me. 'It looks like pate. I don't have a good feeling about this.' The proof of the pudding is in the eating though. So we whack it in the microwave for 30 seconds and set at it with our wooden forks. First the aroma. You're looking for a 'robust, meaty scent with distinct notes of black pepper and other secret spices'. Taste-wise you want a crumbly, mealy texture that is somehow slightly dry, yet moist. Think rich, meaty, spicy and savoury with slightly metallic undertones. This one's more claggy and bland. So we mark it accordingly and move on. Around us, the six other judges, including Fife food ambassador Wendy Barrie and Louise Harley from sponsors Grampian Oat Products, are buzzing back and forward between tables and microwave, slicing, sniffing, tasting and awarding marks out of 25 until each region has a winner and we're onto the finalists. The differences aren't just in appearance. If you think you don't like haggis, I'd suggest you just haven't met the right one. Colour, texture, smell and taste vary widely across the finalists' table. But there can be only one winner. And in the end it's a close run thing between it and the runner-up. One is mealier and saltier. The other ticks every box on the score sheet. It's a thing of beauty inside and out; meaty, moist and coarse with a lingering kick of spicy pepper. Only afterwards do we discover it's the work of butcher Nigel Ovens. And the World Haggis Champion title caps a remarkable weekend for him. The third-generation owner of McCaskie's Butchers at Wemyss Bay scooped the World Scotch Pie Championship with his Pirie Pie 24 hours earlier. It's made from the recipe that won Alan Pirie the World Scotch Pie Championship five times before the Newtyle butcher decided to hang up his apron. Nigel's haggis formula is also a closely-guarded secret and the culmination of a lifetime's work. 'I've spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others,' he said. 'It's a dream come true.' Delighted to have been a part of it Nigel. It's a tough job, but somebody had to do it.
