Hawkins to quitabertay role

THE CHAIRMAN of Abertay University’s governing body will stand down at the end of the month, it was announced yesterday.

Nigel Hawkins has spent 13 years on the university court, the last three as chairman.

In 2011 he was a key player in the dispute that saw Abertay’s founding principal, Professor Bernard King, suspended for several months before reaching a deal to leave his £230,000 a year post.

Mr King had suspended his deputy, Professor Nicholas Terry, after allegations were made about his conduct. Mr Terry was later cleared by an inquiry and the principal was in turn suspended.

Several members of court, includingTayside Police Chief Constable Justine Curran and Perth and Kinross Council chief executive Bernadette Malone, resigned in the following months and Mr Hawkins faced a call to quit from an Abertay professor.

The damaging row left Abertay vulnerable and it swiftly faced a government- inspired call to merge with its larger city neighbour, Dundee University. The idea was dropped only after a fierce campaign backed by staff and students, with the support of the wider community including The Courier.

Mr Hawkins remained in post long enough to see the university return to stability and appoint a new principal, Professor Nigel Seaton.

He said yesterday that campaigning against the merger had been his proudest moment as chairman.

“The strength of feeling and solidarity that was expressed, not only by staff and students here at Abertay but also at our sister institution, in the local press, particularlyThe Courier, and throughout the whole community was a revelation to me.

“It told me that Abertay was genuinely valued by the people of Dundee, that they felt it was a worthwhile institution with a distinctive and important independent contribution to make to the city. I and everyone in the Abertay community will never forget that huge vote of confidence.”

Vice-chairman of court Eddie Frizell — who will succeed Mr Hawkins— paid tribute to him at a special presentation.

He noted that Mr Hawkins had attended more than 50 court meetings and devoted many hours to other meetings, functions and events in the university, all unpaid and voluntary.

He added that the whole Abertay community would always be grateful for Mr Hawkins’dedication and energy throughout his time on court and especially during the “rather turbulent” times last year.

A native Dundonian, Mr Hawkins was educated at Madras College and worked as a journalist before moving into PR.

He founded his own business, Nigel Hawkins Associates, in Dundee in 1985, to develop and run the first City of Discovery campaign. His company was engaged by the then Dundee Institute of Technology in 1992 to assist with its campaign to secure university status — the start of his long-term relationship with Abertay.

Nigel Hawkins will stand down at the end of the month.