Communitay

September 2021

Campus Highlights

University Principal announces plans to step down in 2022

Professor Nigel Seaton is to move on after a decade at Abertay. 

He joined Abertay in 2012 and next year will mark a decade at the helm of the University, making him one of Scotland’s longest serving Principals.

During his tenure, Abertay has grown its reputation for teaching excellence and research quality, while building a series of important collaborations with industry and forging international partnerships.

Professor Seaton said: “It is a privilege to be Principal of this great University. It’s the best job I have ever had, or ever will have."

Learn more

Male wearing suit and red neck tie - Abertay University is printed on a wall in the background

Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor recognised as a teaching fellow

Abertay's Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Liz bacon has been announced as a teaching Fellow from Advance HE.

The Advance HE scheme celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes in the teaching profession in Higher Education.

Professor Bacon was recognised for her initiatives to transform the student experience at Abertay, which have resulted in the university receiving top scores in the National Student Survey. 

Professor Liz Bacon said: “I believe in offering students the best experience we can whilst at university so they can flourish and go on to excel in their chosen career."

Learn more

Profile picture of professor Liz Bacon

Abertay University receives second Race Equality Charter award

Abertay University has become the first institution in Scotland to receive the Race Equality Charter award for a second time.

The Race Equality Charter is awarded by Advance HE and provides the UK higher education sector with a framework allowing universities to critically reflect and act on institutional barriers and other race-related issues faced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students.

Professor Nigel Seaton said: “Abertay University is delighted to be recognised for its efforts to promote racial equality with its second Race Equality Charter Bronze award."

 

Learn More

Race Equality Charter Bronze Award

First tenant of Abertay University’s new cybersecurity R&D centre revealed

NHS Scotland’s cybersecurity agency is the first tenant to be confirmed for the new cyberQuarter research and development hub at Abertay University in Dundee.

Bringing around 30 highly skilled cybersecurity jobs to the city, the team from NHS NSS (National Services Scotland) will take up office accommodation in the cyberQuarter when the building on Abertay University’s Bell Street campus opens early next year, providing cybersecurity operations to cover all of Scotland’s health services.

The cyberQuarter is funded through the Tay Cities Deal and the new jobs are the first positions to be announced since the Deal was signed.

Learn more

cyberQuarter Concept Imagery

Abertay University named first Scottish Unreal Engine Academic Partner

Abertay University has been announced as the first Scottish Academic Partner of 3D games creation platform Unreal Engine. 

Unreal Engine is a 3D creation platform from Epic Games which allows users to create games, visual effects, computer arts and augmented and virtual reality applications.

The partnership recognises that Abertay, as Europe’s top ranked university for games education, is committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities for students using the engine.

As an Academic Partner, Abertay University staff and students get early access to limited-availability training events and advance information on internships and hiring events at Epic Games.

 

Learn more

Female sitting in front of a desktop computer

Muckle Studios soars with support from Abertay’s Bell Street Ventures

A start-up which helps businesses with user experience (UX) on physical and digital products has taken off during the pandemic after mentoring from Abertay University’s enterprise support unit Bell Street Ventures.

Muckle Studios was founded by Abertay University graduate Stephanie Crowe and business partner Kevin Sinclair, who she met whilst using the working space at Abertay.

Stephanie had been providing freelance UX research consultancy to businesses from Bell Street Ventures after completing the MSc Psychology degree.

Stephanie said "Bell Street ventures provided me with a huge range of support when I began working for myself. They helped me apply for grants and funding as well as mentoring from professionals in the business world."

Learn more

A picture of Stephanie Crowe standing in front of a sign with the words "Bell Street Ventures" on it.

Abertay supports growth of innovative company led by former science lecturer

A new DNA test kit with the ability to pinpoint in advance whether fertility treatments will work for couples who are struggling to conceive has been launched by UK company Fertility Genomics.

Every year, an estimated 1.8 million couples across the world go through assisted reproduction techniques such as IVF or ICSI, however in a significant number of cases, individual genetic defects mean these couples are unwittingly bound for failure at the outset.

Currently, they are often given an unsatisfactory diagnosis of ‘unexplained fertility’, leading them to repeat unsuccessful attempts to conceive, either through a public route such as the NHS or through private providers.

Fertility Genomics uses whole exome sequencing, which analyses all 22,000 known genes to get an unprecedented insight into genetic causes of infertility and failed assisted conception.

Learn more

New fertility test gives insights into chances of conception

Lowdown from the Campus 

Elite athletes paired with Covid sufferers for the recovery promotion project
The Sport v Covid research project aims to make a difference through one-to-one discussion sessions.

Abertay study finds Vitamin D and milk gives athletes boost
Athletes who consume vitamin D supplements with whole fat milk can give themselces a performance boost.

Carbon capture gets video game treatment ahead of COP26
Abertay has teamed up with SSE Thermal to have students create a video game on Carbon Capture technology ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.

Gaelic and Scottish heritage to be brought to new audiences through video games project
The Scottish Government partners with Abertay and others for Gaelic Game Jam for national and international audiences.

Research reveals effects of witness discussion and intoxication on eyewitness accounts
A psychology research project has brought forward new findings on the reliability of intoxicated witnesses.

Abertay developed PlayStation VR Game 'YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED' gets global release
The VR game which explores the perspective of a visually impaired protagonist has been released on PlayStation Store.

New AI course offers scholarships for woman and ethnic minorities
The new MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and User Experience is first to combine AI, UX Research and Psychology.

Dare Academy 2021 winners revealed
The winners of Abertay University’s Dare Academy 2021 games design competition have been revealed at a finale event at V&A Dundee. Student team Tub Club scooped a prize fund worth £20,000 for their game Valley Peaks.

Events and Opportunities

Abertay Game Dev Masters Show 2021

On-going Online Exhibition

This year's Abertay Game Dev Masters Show 2021 celebrates the work of our wonderful students from the Professional Masters in Games Development programme. 

This cohort of students from a variety of creative and technical disciplines have been developing projects in response to industry-led game design briefs. Through teamwork and professional mentorship, the students have experienced real-world game development studio environments and have elevated their skills to get ready for the next stages of their careers.

Join us to play the team games, explore the student work and hear about how they collaborated to create their interactive projects!

 

Enter the Show

Abertay Game Dev Masters Show 2021

Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2021

On-going Online Exhibition

Explore this year's Digital Graduate Show, an incredible online exhibition of over 100 digital projects spanning videogames, interactive technologies, animation, art, digital design and cybersecurity, all created by the talented honours students of Abertay University’s School of Design and Informatics.

 

Enter the show

THRIVE

For the next generation of Entrepreneurs in Scotland's food and drink sector.

  • Do you have a business idea or fledgling business
    that you want to develop?
  • Do you want to gain some entrepreneurial skills?
  • Do you want to network with other entrepreneurs in
    Scotland’s food & drink sector?

Then THRIVE could be for you! THRIVE is a new free collaborative initiative supporting the next generation of food & drink sector entrepreneurs. This initiative comprises two days of intensive online sessions on Saturdays 6 and 13 November 2021.

Students and recent graduates will gain essential business skills and knowledge to support their business idea – whether product or service - including concept development,
planning, marketing, pitching and access to general business support information. So whether your idea is a new product or a food & drink related rural diversification, this
programme could benefit you.

Learn more and apply [PDF, 171Kb]

Fruit & Veg sitting beside a tablet computer

Career Mentoring Scheme

Volunteer as a mentor for one of our students!

  • Help build their confidence
  • Provide industry insight and guidance on the working world
  • Prepare them for interviews and applications
  • Make an impact on their future career!

For more information, contact careermentoring@abertay.ac.uk

Abertay University Career Mentoring Scheme

Until next time,
Abertay

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