Latest news with #DundeeUniversity
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Scottish university's new AI medical breakthrough might just save your life
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... According to Professor Geoffrey Hinton, aka 'the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence', there is a 10 to 20 per cent chance that AI will cause the extinction of humanity. Given his expertise in the subject – a former Google vice-president, he won the 2018 Turing Award for his work on artificial neural networks that simulate human intelligence – it's a worrying thought that we must take seriously. However, there is also no doubting the extraordinary benefits of AI. For example, Dundee University researchers have now used it to develop a scan that can help predict a person's chance of having a heart attack or stroke within the next ten years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Our eyes can provide a 'window' into the health of our hearts (Picture: Randy Montoya/Sandia National Laboratories) | Getty Images As consultant cardiologist Dr Ify Mordi explained, 'it may be surprising, but the eyes are a window to the heart' and problems with blood vessels in the eye may also mean problems with those supplying the heart.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- The Sun
Tributes pour in for ‘murdered' Scots mum who was found seriously injured as man arrested
TRIBUTES have been paid to a mum who was allegedly 'murdered' in Dundee. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was found seriously injured on Saturday afternoon and was treated at the scene but later died. 2 A post-mortem has taken place and her death is now being treated as murder. A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with her death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. He is due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday, 7 July 2025. Fortune worked for Scottish Water, after graduating with a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from Dundee University. A spokesman said: 'This has been a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community. 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time as a PhD student and postdoctoral research assistant in Geography, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students. 'Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.' A large crowd gathered on South Road on Saturday night and a protest was held in the city centre on Sunday. Police attended and said the march went ahead 'without incident'. A 61-year-old woman, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said she was 'devastated' to hear about the woman's passing. She said: 'The first we really knew about it was the police taping the street off - I thought someone had been hit by a car. 'I came home around 11pm and could see there was still an extensive police presence. It was upsetting to see what was going. Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles 'I woke up around 2am and looked out and saw things being placed into evidence bags. 'It's devastating to hear the woman died.' Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said: 'Firstly, my thoughts remain with Fortune's family at this incredibly sad time. "They are being supported by specialist officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected. 'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. "At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry. "I am also acutely aware of content circulating on social media and urge the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the incident. 'The public will notice a visibly increased police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to speak with our officers. 'I continue to appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the incident or has information that may assist us to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2283 of 5 July 2025. Information can also be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Tributes pour in for Scots mum who died after being found seriously injured as man arrested
Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the alleged incident. Tragic Tributes pour in for Scots mum who died after being found seriously injured as man arrested Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRIBUTES have been paid to mum and PhD graduate who died in an alleged attack in Dundee. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was found seriously injured on Saturday afternoon and was treated at the scene but later died. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The mum, 39, worked for Scottish Water, after graduating with a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from Dundee University. Credit: Facebook 2 Fortune Gomo died following an alleged attack in Dundee on Saturday Credit: Facebook Police have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the alleged incident. Fortune worked for Scottish Water, after graduating with a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from Dundee University. A spokesman said: 'This has been a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community. 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time as a PhD student and postdoctoral research assistant in Geography, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students. 'Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.' A large crowd gathered on South Road on Saturday night and a protest was held in the city centre on Sunday. Police attended and said the march went ahead 'without incident'. A 61-year-old woman, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said she was 'devastated' to hear about the woman's passing. She said: 'The first we really knew about it was the police taping the street off - I thought someone had been hit by a car. 'I came home around 11pm and could see there was still an extensive police presence. It was upsetting to see what was going. Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles 'I woke up around 2am and looked out and saw things being placed into evidence bags. 'It's devastating to hear the woman died.' A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'A 20-year-old man has been arrested after officers were called to the report that a woman in her 30s had been seriously injured in South Road around 4.25pm. 'She was treated by paramedics, however she was pronounced dead at the scene. 'Her family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers.' Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp - who is leading the inquiry - said: 'My thoughts are with the woman's family at this time and there is no doubt this was a distressing incident for those who witnessed and attended the incident. 'Extensive enquiries are ongoing and I am satisfied that the incident has been contained and there is no wider risk to the public.'
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
‘Eye-watering' salaries may mask bigger university problems
However, following a recent inquest into Dundee University's drastic financial decline and potential mismanagement, Ms Senior said that talk of excess at the top of the ladder is prolonging the sector's more fundamental problems. 'The eye-watering pay and perks for those at the top are really a massive distraction from the underfunding of the sector, and it makes it harder for us to make the case to government to bring in the funding that the sector actually needs.' Last year, The Herald revealed that public funding covers less than half the costs of teaching some courses, and universities have become increasingly reliant on an unreliable stream of income from international student fees. Additionally, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found a 22% reduction in university teaching funding between 2013-14 and 2024-25. Ms Senior said that it is hard for stakeholders to lobby the government for more investment when high salaries create a 'misconception' that there is already money to spare. 'And one thing that Dundee highlighted is that, even when you pay people these six-figure sums, they can make appalling mistakes.' Sir Paul Grice, Interim Convener of Universities Scotland and principal of Queen Margaret University, said that university leaders are working with stakeholders to 'reflect on and respond to the wider lessons' for the sector that have come out of Dundee's situation. 'It has been helpful that both the Scottish Government and Funding Council have reconfirmed that the Code of Good Governance remains fit for purpose. 'That said, damage has undoubtedly been done, and we fully recognise there is a need for the rest of the sector to step up and provide robust reassurance in universities' governance and management.' And when asked if there are steps that university leaders can take to limit salaries and expenses, Universities Scotland Convener-elect and Principal of the University of the West of Scotland, Professor James Miller, stated that universities face challenges beyond their operational management. 'The primary challenge for the wider sector is one of financial sustainability, compounded by a decade of declining public funding for our teaching and research, not one of widespread failures in governance. 'If the latter misconception takes hold, it will become a distraction from the very real need to address the funding issues facing every institution, and the impact it has on their students and staff.' Prof Miller added that when it comes to trust in the sector, 'perceptions do matter' and senior staff have a role to play. 'I think there's a willingness amongst my peers to listen to opinions and look at the process and outcomes for principal and senior team pay, as part of a wider mix of issues, and that's something we are prepared to explore. 'However, that should not detract from the very real and pressing need to address the deeper funding challenges faced by the sector.' Read more Ms Senior said that today's top salaries, which she considers 'excessive,' are a relatively recent development and that 20 years ago, there was 'more of a relationship between the salary of the person at the top and the rest.' The University and College Union (UCU) sees this trend partly as a result of the fact that senior positions negotiate their pay separately from the national bargaining process for staff. UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said that principal salaries are diverting attention from the work of securing more investment for the university sector. (Image: Colin Mearns) As evidence for Holyrood's consideration of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, which proposes changes to the way post-school education is funded, the UCU suggested bringing all staff, including senior leaders, into the same pay spine. 'We think it's important those at the top are not seen as separate from other staff.' Each time the spotlight falls on the financial challenges facing Scottish higher education, the sector's top earners become easy targets for politicians and critics. This was most recently on display during the University of Dundee hearings at Holyrood in June. MSPs grilled university representatives and former employees about the circumstances which led to the university discovering a previously unreported deficit in November 2024 and needing an 'unprecedented' £62 million bailout from the government. The most sensational hearing involved former Dundee principal Professor Iain Gillespie, who faced hard questions about his tenure. An independent review of how Dundee handled its finances found that many of the university's problems were "self-inflicted" and raised concerns about Mr Gillespie's leadership style. Although MSPs grilled Mr Gillespie on how the situation deteriorated under his watch, a considerable amount of time was also spent discussing his pay. MSPs repeatedly asked questions about his reportedly £300,000 annual salary, a £150,000 payment he received upon stepping down in December 2024, and perks such as business-class flights for university business. Mr Gillespie is not the only principal to have his six-figure salary under the microscope, nor was his pay out of the ordinary for his position. At least two principals currently earn more than £400,000, and a six-figure sector average has been the norm for at least a decade. Read more These packages are what Ms Senior has branded 'embarrassing,' and part of what Prof Miller is referring to when he says principals are willing to explore questions about pay. MSP Willie Rennie, education spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, clashed with Mr Gillespie over whether the former principal would return the £150,000 payment he received upon resignation. Mr Rennie emphasised that, even though £150,000 would not solve the university's problems, it would "certainly be a start" in sending a message that Mr Gillespie understood the gravity of the institution's situation. However, messaging is one of the significant challenges for stakeholders, both staff and employers, across the sector, who would like to see more investment but need to convince the Scottish Government not only that it is necessary, but that it will be put to good use.
Leader Live
03-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Interim finance chief at cash-strapped university quits after days in post
Chris Reilly, who took on the role on an interim basis days at the start of last week, has left the university by 'mutual agreement'. Dundee University is grappling with a financial crisis which has resulted in the Scottish Government using special powers to award a further £40 million to the institution. Faced with a £35 million deficit, the university is looking to cut hundreds of jobs. Professor Nigel Seaton, Dundee's interim principal and vice chancellor, confirmed Mr Reilly's departure in a message to staff – saying the institution is 'moving quickly' to replace him. Prof Seaton, who himself only took on the role after the previous interim principal quit last month, said Mr Reilly's replacement would help take the university through the 'next steps' of its recovery plan. Previous interim principal Professor Shane O'Neill quit the post in June after a report by former Glasgow Caledonian University principal Professor Pamela Gillies was critical of him and other former senior Dundee University figures for their actions before the scale of the crisis became public. That report found members of the university executive group, which included the 'triumvirate' of Prof O'Neill, former principal Professor Iain Gillespie and ex-chief operating officer Jim McGeorge, had 'failed' to 'properly respond to the worsening situation' with the institution's finances in 2024.
