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Abertay University Year in Review 2024
As another year draws to a close, we’re celebrating the standout moments that defined 2024 at Abertay. It’s been an unforgettable year filled with achievements and milestones!
Here’s a look back at the highlights:
January: International research project aims to investigate the impact of European video game industry clusters
January saw the announcement that the University was to lead a €3.8m Horizon Europe project called GAME-ER, which explores video games industry clusters in six European regions, including Dundee. Led by Dr Darshana Jayemanne and Professor Stefano De Paoli, the project investigates the factors behind the success of clusters in smaller cities such as Dundee, Lyon, Turin, and Brno.
February: Scottish Voices project challenges the public to pinpoint Scotland’s most recognisable dialects
In February, Abertay scientists tested the Scottish public’s ability to recognise the country’s different accents. During a series of open participation sessions at V&A Dundee and Dundee Science Centre, visitors were asked to listen to audio clips of people from different regions of Scotland in a bid to discover how accurately they could tell the difference between various regional dialects.
March: Right 2 Roam ‘loaded dice’ game highlights women’s safety inequalities
To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, Dr Mona Bozdog from Abertay University’s Department of Games and Arts showcased an innovative board game designed to educate and raise awareness about the potential dangers women face when walking alone. Titled ‘Right 2 Roam,’ the game assigns players roles that reflect real-world gender imbalances and challenges them to navigate a board modelled on city streets.
April: Abertay marks two year anniversary of partnership with Ukrainian university
In April, the University celebrated the second anniversary of its partnership with Kharkiv National University of Economics (KhNUE) in Ukraine. Established through the Twinning for Ukraine initiative, this collaboration has resulted in the delivery of a joint MBA programme as well as staff exchanges, webinars, and expanded access to academic resources.
May: Sustainability project wins prestigious national award
Abertay’s Transform Net Zero initiative won the ‘Outstanding Business Engagement in Universities’ award at the 2024 Herald Higher Education Awards in Glasgow. Since its launch in 2021, the project has helped over 100 SMEs in Scotland’s food and drink sector reduce carbon emissions through sustainable practices. The initiative received praise for its environmental impact and the practical benefits to local businesses, such as extending product shelf-lives and developing new products through waste recycling.
June: Abertay hosts international summit on widening access
In June, the University hosted the European Access Network (EAN) Conference 2024, bringing together over 260 delegates for discussions on widening access to higher education. Held from 11-12 June, the conference featured more than 20 sessions, including a keynote by Professor John McKendrick, the Scottish Government’s Commissioner for Fair Access.
July: Abertay ranked Top Scottish Modern University in National Student Survey
Abertay was ranked Scotland’s top modern university for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024. For the second consecutive year, Abertay topped the country’s modern universities in overall student satisfaction, with additional success in categories such as Academic Support, Learning Resources, and Organisation and Management.
August: Creative arts courses receive industry accreditation from The Rookies
"Kuker" by Denitsa-Yoana Velikova
Abertay achieved a significant milestone in the summer by becoming the first institution in Scotland to receive accreditation from The Rookies, a global authority on excellence in creative arts education. The University’s Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business earned the ‘Rookies Certified School’ designation, a mark of quality that recognises institutions dedicated to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the creative industries.
September: Abertay wins University of the Year at National Cyber Awards
Abertay was named the UK Cyber University of the Year at the National Cyber Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in the cybersecurity sector. The University’s achievements in teaching, research, and knowledge exchange were recognised, alongside the work of cyberQuarter, Abertay’s research and development.
October: Abertay became Scotland’s first Adobe ‘Creative Campus’
In October, the University became Scotland’s first Adobe Creative Campus, joining an exclusive group of institutions empowering students with essential digital skills. The new partnership granted all Abertay students and staff free access to Adobe Express Premium, a cloud-based platform for creating videos, graphics, PDFs, and more.
November: Deacon Blue star Lorraine McIntosh honoured at Winter Graduation
Scottish singer and actress Lorraine McIntosh, renowned for her work with Deacon Blue, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at Abertay University’s Winter Graduation Ceremony on 29 November 2024. She joined more than 400 graduates at Caird Hall, where she was honoured for her significant contributions to music, theatre, and charitable endeavours.
December: Collaboration with Recycle Scotland reduces furniture waste and supports circular economy
The University announced a new partnership with a recycling organisation to reduce waste across its campus by implementing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for extending the lifecycle of workplace furniture. Initially starting with a handful of office chairs, the partnership with Abertay has now expanded to include a wide range of office furniture.
