Abertay graduation pictures.

Entrepreneur says Dundee needs to make most of an ‘extraordinary time’ as students flock to city

Dundee gaming entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl has paid tribute to the “extraordinary city” after being named among Abertay University’s honorary graduates.

He joined trauma expert Professor David Alexander and nursing expert Professor Laura Serrant in receiving honours in a ceremony at the Caird Hall yesterday, alongside 800 other graduates.

Having co-founded Dundee-based 4J Studios, the firm which brought Minecraft to consoles around the world, Mr van der Kuyl has been instrumental in promoting Dundee as a worldwide gaming hub in recent years.

His latest effort will see the city’s newest creative hub, Water’s Edge, open later this summer, a workspace which will house around 300 people in 11 offices at City Quay and which also includes a 200-seater restaurant and bar.

The Dundonian received an honorary doctorate of technology from the university and in a speech, spoke of the lure of Abertay’s gaming courses to budding developers around the world.

A former student at Dundee University, Mr van der Kuyl said: “Abertay is undoubtedly the best academic institution for computer games in the world and the best and the brightest students flock to the university in huge numbers,” he said.

“Today’s graduates are graduating at an extraordinary time and in an extraordinary city. We must now all make sure we not only sustain what we achieved so far but strive to make it the best it can possibly be.”

Head of arts, media and computer games, Professor Gregor White, thanked Mr van der Kuyl for his “generosity and enthusiasm” which he said will benefit future generations for years to come.

Emeritus professor of mental health at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, David Alexander led the response to the Piper Alpha oil disaster in 1988 and has been an expert adviser following a number of major international incidents and conflicts.

Laura Serrant is professor of nursing at Sheffield’s Hallam University and one of only six black professors of nursing in the UK. She has frequently found herself as the sole voice representing nurses and minority communities.

As well as the honorary graduates, students from Dundee Business School and the School of Arts, Media and Computer Games joined others from the schools of Science, Engineering and Technology and Social and Health Sciences in receiving their various degrees.

Speaking to the hundreds packed into the Caird, principal and vice-chancellor Professor Nigel Seaton urged them to grasp the opportunities lying before them: “Abertay is a learning community and you have all contributed to the learning of others and to the richness of their lives,” he said.

“The challenges you have faced have been personal challenges and your achievements are your own.”

“Abertay is undoubtedly the best academic institution for computer games in the world