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Campus Radio audio reels: You Can Do It At DIT radio show

  • GB 3516 CRDIT
  • Collection
  • 30/09/1993 - 02/12/2020

The 11 radio shows follow a rough format of an item highlighting innovative research or projects at the Institute, details of courses available and job prospects after qualification, a quiz pitching students from different departments against each other, and finally a weekly news round up segment highlighting elements of student life, including entertainments, societies, sports, and student association news on issues affecting students such as changes to maintenance grants and restrictions on funding of student activities.

Dundee Institute of Technology

Interview with Richard Irvine

Richard Irvine speaks about his course and career at Dundee Institute of Technology. He spoke about his work as a research student and subsequent member of staff working on developing environmentally sustainable compost, and then acting as an intermediary between industry and the university when he worked for the Abertay Centre for the Environment. After the centre closed he was made redundant and he subsequently worked as a teacher / lecturer periodically for the University.
He speaks about his experience waiting on the Queen when she opened the new library building in 1998, which included speaking to her and helping her when the proceedings got a bit confused.
He talks about his feelings about the change of attitude amongst some staff concerning the change to university status.

0.00 Interview started
0.50 Use of Doctors terms previously, but titles are not used now.
2.15 Got to end of school – wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. Flowed into Dundee Institute of Technology. No specific reason to come here.
3.15 HND BioSciences course 1989 – Biotechnology started then. Got HND and got the Young Prize then went into 3rd year of the degree programme. Graduated 1993.
4.30 “Best time of my life” – really good group. All worked really well.
5.10 Studied at Nottingham Trent but didn’t work out. Came back. Friend researching here. Kevin Gartland was working on plant Biotech – stopping Dutch Elm disease. At same time working on waste products – Richard worked on sewage sludge. It can produce compost.
7.20 The University got European Regional Development Fund grant for sustainable environment research institute. It also got its labs refurbished for this. Richard was a Biowaste scientist. He acted as a conduit between the university and general public on environmental issues. It went on for 4 years. Kevin then went to Glasgow Caledonian University, and Richard was made redundant.
9.20 He’s been teaching on and off over the years.
10.20 He remembers great work with a company in Fife during the sustainable environment work – Andrew Cook in Methil / Glenrothes. He helped with composting. The work went on after the end of the project. He travelled round country into factories / yards / caravan sites in remote locations. Not really worrying about the funding, unusually.
13.10 Opening of the Library – 1998. The University was doing lots of fancy dinners for VIP visitors and hon grads and also graduation lunches. Not enough staff. Doris Kinnison? Asked research students if they wanted some extra money to help in these. Royal opening came – Research Student catering staff were first in line for being involved. We just turned up as normal – carparks were cleared. Every draincover was open, looking for explosives. "We winged it!" The Queen arrived, she came in the main door, up to the Principals office, small drinks reception, "we had to wheel along all the alcohol the uni could muster". The Queen was briefed on what would happen, then she went to the library, cut the ribbon, had a tour, she then went back across to the Kydd Building and she had the lunch in the old journal area of the old library which was turned into a reception and dining area. Richard served the Queen and Prince Philip with their Dubonnay and lemonade using the white gloves – the ladies were terrified of dropping it. Everyone filtered away apart from the Queen and Prince Philip. She asked Richard what to do next – he told her to go through the double door. Prince Philip was “playing with the sockets”. She was joking away. Dinner was from students of Dundee and Angus College? Then they lined up and the Queen walked past to leave.
24.20 He has his student and staff cards from his time at the university. Enamel badge for the nursing course that he rescued (does it have a number on it?!). He has a 1950 prospectus. He has a lot of books from when the library was moving. He has material on jute too.
27.40 He talks about the display of jute shuttles in the main building that has disappeared.
28.40 After university status, he feels nothing really changed in the buildings. He thinks there were changes in how the staff perceived the institution – wanted to be more university-like. He thinks there was more university stuff, but less of what it had been doing. DIT had a good record and image of what it was doing – it was just a name change, he feels it shouldn’t have made any difference. On Wednesday afternoons there were never any scheduled classes so you could do clubs, but that faded out in the 1990s.
32.30 He says he is a bit of a collector, hence why he has some good material saved from being thrown out.
35.50 He feels the HND in Biosciences was a really good course. Very positive way of getting into the degree. Strong vocational course. Well put together. Very talented individuals, lecturers, and technicians. They were not into research, but dedicated to teaching. Sometimes their talent was overlooked, and not always respected.

Richard Irvine

Interview with Jenny McNeill

Jenny McNeill speaks about her experiences as one of the first nursing degree students at Dundee College of Technology in 1975, and her subsequent career.

Jenny McNeill

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 12

“Grand final of the quiz between economics and law students; interviews with student president Rachel Thomas and manager of DIT’s football team, Jim Closs”

Highlight on DIT’s relationship with local colleges of further education in Tayside and Fife. Grand Final of the student quiz. Interviews with Students Association President Rachel Thomas, and the new manager of the DIT Football Team Jim Closs, giving their reflections on their first terms in post.

0.00 Start
0.40 Jeff Ferguson interviews Professor Rae Harris about the relationships between DIT and Colleges of Further Education in the Tayside and Fife area, how students can access Higher Education through them, but also how DIT learns about and supports the development of Further Education in the colleges (Perth, Fife, Angus, Glenrothes, and Dundee colleges).
5.05 Quiz Grand Final – Mechanical Engineering: Reg, Philip, Sue and Mike vs Economics and Law: Ewan, Ian, Steve, and Gareth. General Knowledge plus Specialist Subjects (swapped e.g. Mechanics being asked Economics and Law questions). Economics and Law won 28 points to 24 for Mechanical Engineering. Grahame Wright, Assistant Principal of DIT, presents prizes to the winning team.
19.20 Brian Lindsay interviews Rachel Thomas, Students Association President, and Jim Closs, Manager of the DIT Football Team about their first term in their new respective posts.
19.30 Rachel Thomas about her concerns regarding the proposed cuts to the student grant, 10% every year for the next three years; compounded this will leave the grant 27% less than what it was in 1993. She notes the student loan scheme has already increased student dropout rates by 188%. The student dropout rates will increase further as a result of students being unable to support themselves whilst in higher education. Students Association decided to attend an NUS demonstration in Glasgow (one of the largest in the last 10-20 years) against the proposed student grant cuts. She reflects on how much she has experienced in her first term, and how she didn’t expect to have to deal with such serious national issues as President. She wished she had more time to spend on providing a greater diversity of service to DIT students.
22.00 Jim Closs speaks about the improvements in the DIT football team – how they have got to know each other as a team, and the challenge they face in trying to get promoted due to having dropped points early in the season.
23.38 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 11

Highlight of work of Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences in applied mathematics and use of modelling to predict when equipment will need to be replaced in advance of failure, plus the use of statistics in everyday life. News of Students Association EGM in response to announcement of cuts in student maintenance, and community outreach to local Dundee secondary schools.

0.00 Start
0.40 Jimmy Black speaks to Professor Ian Colligan of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences about the skills and employment opportunities gained by Mathematics graduates from the department. He speaks about the teaching approach in the department being an Applied Mathematics approach – one of problem solving and mathematical modelling, and how it is applied to all sorts of real-life situations e.g. Treasury modelling.
5.55 Jimmy Black speaks to John Darpener in the Operational Research Section of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences about the modelling being used in replacement strategies being researched by him and his colleagues for replacing equipment in advance of failure (e.g. engine / machinery parts) and also ensuring they are not replaced too soon.
8.30 Statistician Gilbert Rutherford’s area of expertise is probabilities. He explains why at least 2 people in a room of 23 people or more will share the same birthday, and why statistics affect everyone’s life, especially in the areas of retail and marketing.
11.55 Quiz– students from the Business Studies Department: Alastair Duncan, Lauren Pealie, Ruth MacBurney, and Grant Mackay. Questions on their specialist subject and general knowledge.
18.00 Brian Lindsay’s News Round-up. Emergency meeting of the Students Representative Council to discuss the implications of the government budget proposals to cut student grants by 10%. The grant would be cut from £2200 to £1975. After the meeting, DIT Students Association President Rachel Thomas said the student dropout rate in Scotland had increased by 188% since the introduction of the student loan scheme, and that this further attack on the student maintenance grant would push more students into debt and would undoubtedly force many more to withdraw from their courses. A demonstration march against the proposals will be held on Wednesday in Glasgow, supported by the DIT Students Association, which will provide transport for anyone wishing to attend.
18.55 Community outreach: pupils from Grove Academy and St Johns Academy visited for practical sessions on Applied Physics, and Professor John Milne is delivering a lecture on Mechatronics to 200 school pupils from throughout Tayside. DIT’s Euro students will be meeting the Dundee Lord Provost at the Dundee Chamber of Commerce.
19.20 End of term is approaching, and the final blowout at the students’ union on the Marketgait is the “Snowball Night”, with usual drinks promotions and entertainments.
19.30 Sports – DIT football team won 4-2 away to Grove with Fitzpatrick scoring a hat-trick and Terry Thomas scoring the 4th goal. The team now has 11 points from 10 games, putting them near the top of the table. The Hockey Team won 3-0 against Robert Gordon University.
20.42 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

"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

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 9

Highlight on forging international links – establishment of MBA programmes overseas, joint overseas research programme in studying dry rot, franchising courses overseas, overseas studying opportunities and facilitating international students studies at DIT. DIT rugby player Andy Nicoll won an international cap playing for Scotland against the All Blacks.

0.00 Start
0.40 Brian Lindsay speaks to Graham Martin in the Dundee Business School about DIT’s international links being forged through the School through the establishment of MBA programmes in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Europe (Cyprus, Greece). Dr John Palfreyman in School of Life Sciences speaks about his research programme with Danish and English partners studying dry rot, and the benefits of developing international links for both research and benefits for students. Tony Dinning speaks about his experiences in Perugia in Italy. Graham Martin explains the process of franchising courses abroad, particularly the experience supporting colleagues in Kazakhstan with this. Alex Buchner a postgraduate student from Heidelberg in Germany speaks about his experiences studying Software Engineering at DIT. Grahame Martin expresses the view that the international links demonstrate DIT’s credibility as a higher education institution.
9.00 Quiz – students from Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying. Neil Stewart, Cameron Findlay, Arthur Bell, Ian Beet. Questions on their specialist subject and general knowledge.
14.50 Brian Lindsay’s news roundup. DIT Student Association President commented negatively on proposals in the Education Bill to reform student unions outlined in Queen’s Speech for the upcoming parliamentary session. DIT Anti-Racism Society running a bus to Saturday’s anti-racism demonstration in Glasgow. DIT Football team’s match against the Dundee College of Further Education postponed to next Saturday due to bad weather; DIT Rugby Club holding a cheese and wine night on Monday. Andy Nicoll was picked for the Scotland Rugby Team on Saturday and gained an international cap playing against the All Blacks (New Zealand). Scotland was beaten 51-15.
17.22 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 8

Highlight on Civil Engineering and Surveying – study in cost management in reactive maintenance in buildings, and computer monitoring system for measuring the length of time before road repairs become necessary, Students Association AGM – increasing efforts on the government changes to students associations, plus elections of Women’s Officer and LGB Officer. Report on International Food Night.

0.00 Start
0.45 Jeff Ferguson interviews Bill Crabb a chartered surveyor and lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Building about his study in cost management and control in reactive maintenance in buildings.
3.45 Jeff Ferguson interviews Dr Ali Shart in the Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Building about the programme he had developed for use with a deflectograph machine for measuring the length of time before road repairs become necessary.
8.30 Jeff Ferguson speaks to Professor Suzanta Sarkar, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Building about the course and career opportunities there. The conversation covers the Higher National Diploma courses, further study opportunities, for example the Masters Degree in Wastewater and Environmental Management, or postgraduate research for an MPhil, PhD. The BEng degree Civil Engineering is unique in Scotland in that it is a sandwich degree (with work training placements contributing to the degree).
12.10 Quiz – students from Economics and Law “Ian, Peter, Gareth, and Steve” (no surnames given). Questions on their specialist subject and general knowledge.
18.05 Brian Lindsay’s news roundup. Report on DIT Students Association General Meeting, inc motions re lack of sports facilities for the increasing numbers of students at DIT. Proposals were made for purchase of an all-weather multi-purpose pitch, a grass pitch, and negotiation with the local district council for concessionary rates for things like swimming, golf and tennis. A DIT ten-pin bowling league was also proposed. The motions were passed. Proposals were passed to intensify the existing campaign against the planned government measures concerning SA funding, to have a gala day celebrating the qualities of SAs and publicise the campaign. Proposals were also passed to create new posts on the SA – a women’s officer and a LGB officer (it being felt these two groups were under-represented in the Institute). Two bi-elections were held for Deputy President, and Shop Vice President. The winners were Kirk Potter and Jo Williams respectively.
19.45 International Food Night at the Union where foreign students representing 30 countries prepare and present food traditional to their culture. E, W, N & S parts of the globe are represented. Entry costs £4.
20.10 Sports News – Rugby Team match cancelled due to non-appearance of the opposition. Football team was beaten 4-3 by Fintry in a close match, and have 9 points in the League from 8 games.
21.05 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 7

“Features an interview with Dr Karen Sullivan about her research into DNA molecules”
Highlight on Department of Molecular Life Sciences research on DNA fingerprinting and possible application in forensic police work and detecting wildlife crime, Student Association work towards NUS “Student Fest” campaign against government changes to student associations, and Graduation Day.

0.00 Start
0.45 Jimmy Black interviews Dr Karen Sullivan in the Department of Molecular Life Sciences about research on DNA fingerprinting. Discussion on forensic police uses of DNA finger printing for suspect elimination, and her current work using DNA finger-printing to research the effect of environmental stress on the DNA in cells. For the first time finger-printing allows entire strands of DNA to be scanned in order to locate areas undergoing change in response to stress. This can be applied to various different areas, such as crop research (e.g. to help increase resistance to disease or dry environment and pests) to help identify unstable DNA regions to try and understand them in an effort to help fix them. The technique could even be used to combat poaching – analysing the meat of elephant carcasses to see if they were sourced from regions where it was illegal to cull them or not.
9.30 Quiz: Electronic and Electrical Engineering students Ahmar Ghaffoor, Doug Watson, Donald Laing, Jason Moonie. Questions on their specialist subject and general knowledge.
15.20 Brian Lindsay’s News Round-up. He speaks to NUS Scotland Vice President Douglas Traynor about the NUS campaign against changes in student’s unions, “Student Fest” – a day of events and entertainments advertising what’s student life has to offer from the student associations points of view. An anti racism campaign is being launched across the country too. The events and activities of “Student Fest” are all things that the proposed government changes would prevent, such as debates, charities, anti-racism work, clubs and societies, social events etc even the opportunity for the national student voice to be heard, since the changes would only fund welfare, catering, internal representation and sports.
17.27 Highlight on Graduation Day, with degrees being conferred by Principal Bernard King, including three Hon Fellowships to DIT Alumnis - George Simpson, Chief Executive of Rover Cars and Vice Chair of British Aerospace; Alastair McCallum, Chief Executive at Don and Low Holdings; Roderick Rennit, Director of Water Services for Tayside.
18.05 DIT Football Team doing better in the League. 3rd equal in the league after another victory against Birkhead (1-0, with Terry Thomas scoring a penalty against them). Next week they play Fintry Thistle. Hockey Team had their first game of the season, winning 2-1 against Napier in the Inter-University League (scorers – Paul Lyall and Robin Campbell).
19.09 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

"You Can Do It At DIT" Radio Show Reel 4

Highlight on government plans to change the funding structure and conditions of student associations, work of electrical engineering department on speech verification in credit card machines and energy efficiency planning, plus news of expanding student leasing scheme for local authority flats.
0.00 Start
0.55 Brian Lindsay interviews Student President Rachel Thomas about Government plans to change the way that Student Associations are funded in order to ensure money is not misspent on inappropriate party political style campaigning. Activities were to be split into two areas - “core” (funded) and “non-core” (not funded). Core was defined as catering, welfare, internal representation, sports. Argument was that DIT societies were built around educational activities that are good for students to engage in (e.g. science society, quantity surveying societies) and that need funded (e.g. to bring in external speakers). In addition, the proposal to bar students from engaging in political activity. Students associations were impartial in regard to party politics, but there were other political issues that affected students and that they spoke out on (e.g. the student campaign for university status for DIT). The proposed changes would have prevented students from speaking out on these wider issues that affected them and that they had a right involve themselves in. She comments on the importance of the Students Association, run by students for students, that they take responsibility for and that contributes to their rounded education.
3.55 Jeff Ferguson interviews Andy Sepaluk from the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department about speech verification in credit card machines in order to prevent cash / credit card fraud.
6.35 Jeff Ferguson interviews Dr Suhale Ozveron from the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department about his project to improve electrical power system planning to make the power generation process more efficient, and make it more environmentally friendly.
9.10 Jeff Ferguson interviews Dr Peter Martin in the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department about the career and further education opportunities for graduates from its courses.
12.45 Quiz: Honours students from the Department of Accountancy Mabel Cheung, Julie Hughes, John Potts, John Keogh. Questions on their specialist subject and general knowledge.
17.35 Brian Lindsay’s News Round-up. Announcement on the scrapping of Saturday night opening of the Marketgait Students Union due to poor take-up of the Saturday disco. Announcement of the Students Association Hardship Fund, administered by Student Services, providing emergency loans to students. Expansion of Scheme to lease local authority flats to students – before the expansion there were 9 flats on Kingsway East and Butterburn Court available to students, and it was hoped to lease more if there was sufficient demand. DIT Football Team was near the bottom of the Midland League Division 2 after being defeated 3-0 by Arbroath High School and they only had 3 points from their first 4 games, caused by injury problems and difficulties raising a team at the beginning of term that led to a game having to be conceded due to insufficient numbers.
19.41 End

Dundee Institute of Technology

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