Interview with Sumant Mathure

Interview recorded with Ruaraidh Wishart, Abertay University Archivist on 1 July 2020.

Sumant Mathure speaks about his time as a research student in Mechanical Engineering at Dundee College of Technology, his journey from India to Dundee in January 1987, the work he did on continuous casting with precious metals, and meeting Prince Philip during the College’s centenary celebrations in 1988.

0.00 Interview Preliminaries
03:22 Interview starts
04:20 Name & connection to University - Jan 1987-May 1991 at DIT
04:44 Research into continuous casting with gold, silver copper; Working with Birmingham Mint & Rautomead; Student project working on unique relationship with manufacture & institution
06:00 Already had a Bsc in chemistry (?) from India; Dr Robert W Johnson was his supervisor
07:00 Degree in metallurgy (mentioned in Herald newspaper)
08:00 Dr R W Johnson presented a paper on continuous casting in Mumbai at the Hotel Taj. This attracted him to studying in Dundee.
10:00 Lots of profound memories from his “golden years”. Born in 1966 and arrived in Dundee 5th Jan 1987, only 20 years old, no internet, only letters and telephone to communicate. His Dad was in Dubai when he and his mother received the letter of acceptance from R W Johnson to attend at DIT. Courses started on 7th Jan
11:53 First time travelling alone internationally. Arrived to the worst winter in the UK
12:45 Not happy with the snow, weather or food.
13:53 Met friends, started to feel Scottish
14:50 Food – first 3 months were in halls of residence. He had to prove he was able to do his studies and so was often working on projects into the later hours. Meaning he’d miss his high tea at the halls and would be given cold salad to eat!
15:50 Difficult to understand the Scottish accent
16:15 Student council international food fest. Sumant insisted on 4 tables to represent India
18:50 Had international housemates, from China, Egypt and Zambia.
19:20 Duke of Edinburgh visit in 1989 to look at the gold project
22:00 Gold project. Only a few people were able to enter the mechanical engineering room where the gold project was taking place. Needed a pass to get in. Felt very proud that he was one of the students who had access
23:30 Sumant ran the demo for Duke of Edinburgh. Metal heated to 1100 degrees C – needed to be very careful and was his responsibility to make sure the demo ran smoothly!
24:20 Duke of Edinburgh comments on India and how pleased he was with the presence of international students
25:10 Felt honored as a student to be there
26:36 Becoming a university in 1992-1994. Had to scrap the mechanical engineering degree.
28:50 He also did consultancies under R W Johnson and 2 scholarships
29:20 Joined his father in India after graduating in 1991. 1994 – got married. 1995 – made director of his Dad's company.
31:00 Over 400 clients, very popular and well-reputed company in India.
31:40 Still maintained contact with R W Johnson and others.
31:46 Interview Recording ends