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Interview with Ahmar Ghafoor

Ahmar Ghafoor speaks about his time studying Mechatronics at Dundee Institute of Technology / Abertay University. He speaks about the societies he was involved with - Dungeons and Dragons, Sci-Fi society; his project to design and build a computer; the changes that university status brought; how the university has changed since then; his subsequent career working in mobile technology.

0.00 Interview starts – Ahmar Ghafoor, former student at Abertay, student during the transition to University status
What did you study and why?
Went to do an HND in Electrical engineering because failed GCSEs
0.50 Abertay was the first place to do Mechatronics – MSc sponsored by NCR and so was a joint Abertay and Dundee Uni degree
2.00 Was there anything else you ever considered studying?
Wanted to go to Warwick but family moved to Dundee, really wanted to do Mechatronics
3.20 What groups were you involved with?
Dungeons and Dragons; some people imported episodes of Star Trek: Next Generation from America and they’d all watch them in the pub on the big screen
4.30 What’s your proudest moment/achievement?
Design a computer and it worked first time, completed his MSc project in 2 weeks
5.10 Did you notice anything change when Dundee Institute of Tech became Abertay University?
Yes, more investment in the labs, library was built, there was a joke that there were “more computers that books”
6.20 What do you think the experience at Abertay would be like for students now?
Don’t have to carry so many books now, everything is online
6.40 Are you still in touch with anyone you met at Uni?
Colin McLean who is a former lecturer of his, once a year say hi to some people, Camilla at NCR
7.20 Is there anything in everyday life that I would use that you have worked on?
Mobile phones, 10 years in Nokia, worked on the first GPS Bluetooth chips in mobile phones; very first contactless payment designs but was shelved as was ahead of its time
8.20 Would you prefer to go to University as it was then or with the improved technology there is now?
Prefer it with improved technology, in those days you couldn’t get online if your Mum was on the phone; don’t need to go into Uni now,
9.07 Do you have any funny or embarrassing stories?
Sixth Sense film had just come out, was in a lift with some girls who were talking about it and they gave away the whole plot including the twist at the end. He still watched it that night!
10.10 Are you still friends with anyone from university?
Not really friends with anyone from Uni, moved away and there were a lot of mature students
10.43 What did you do after you left University?
Now works with the robotics team with Dyson, working on the next generation of robotic vacuums, works on the wireless communication to connect it to internet;
Before that CMR Surgical who made robots to aid keyhole surgery; UPTOS – machine that scans your eye
12.35 When a graduate it’s difficult, but afterwards it’s about learning how to learn – filtering, knowing how to find the information;
Never be scared to say I don’t know, the team will help;
Reasons for going into engineering - all about problem solving, need interpersonal skills too
15.20 What was your favourite thing about University?
Dossing around; when they got high speed internet, some would bring in their home computers and download things
After Masters had a researcher post, which can be very lonely, it was nice to share problems with others,
Gave him access to a lab even after he left to work at NCR
16.20 Did you ever get in trouble at University for anything you and your friends were doing?
Didn’t get in trouble at Uni, because it’s different
16.48 Were you involved in any sports clubs at Uni?
No sports at Uni, but now run a cricket club, never into sports until had kids

Ahmar Ghafoor

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 10

“Work of the Centre for Waste Water Management (“what happens when you pull the plug”); Brian Lindsay interviews the European editor of the anti-fascist magazine, Searchlight; students from civil engineering contest the quiz”

Highlight on the work of the Wastewater Technology Centre developing new initiatives for wastewater management, and its consultancy work with national and international clients, plus interview with Graham Atkinson, European Editor of Anti-fascist magazine, Searchlight.

0.00 Start
0.45 Jeff Ferguson speaks to Richard Ashley, Co-ordinator and Research Director of the Wastewater Technology Centre, a semi-independent centre within the Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying, and Building. Its objective is to act as a centre for excellence in Scotland for the water industry and to develop new initiatives for wastewater management. One area of expertise is in computer-modelling and monitoring of underground drainage and storage systems. He speaks about the effect of European law on requirements to treat wastewater and sludge before being discharged back out to the North Sea, national proposals to create water boards after Council reform taking effect in 1996, and public health issues related to mixing domestic wastewater and storm water in cities.
08.30 Richard Ashley speaks about the services of the Centre to their large list of clients – a research base undertaking work out of the ordinary for normal consultants, disseminators of information through its substantial international working activities on research groups and consultancies in European countries. The consultancy element might bring new overseas opportunities for extending their work if the Scottish water industry is privatised. Other groups in the country deal with specific areas of wastewater management (e.g. industrial effluent), but the Wastewater Technology Centre at DIT is the only one that has a holistic approach to the whole discipline.
10.20 Quiz– students from Civil Engineering: Scott, Graeme, Joanne, and Phil (no surnames given). Questions on their specialist subject and general knowledge.
16.25 Brian Lindsay’s News Round-up. Brian interviews Graham Atkinson, European Editor of Searchlight (a magazine specialising in research and documentation of the activities of organised racist, anti-semitic, and fascist organisations). Graham was speaking at a meeting of the Anti-Racisim Society where he spoke about the alarming rise of violent fascist activity in Germany.
18.00 The Students Union distributed free condoms at the last disco for World AIDS day, in order to raise awareness of safe sex, HIV infection, and AIDS. No sports news due to bad weather last weekend postponing fixtures such as the big cup match between DIT and Dundee College.
18.58 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

The Decision to Build

Handbook looking at the application of discounting to the decision process in building, and the techniques of Cost-In-Use, Private Investment Appraisal, and Cost benefit Analysis and how and when they are applied.

Published by the Ministry of Public Building and Works.

Ministry of Public Building Works

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