Twin pull of academic conferences

International Concrete Conference and similar events bring prestige, as well as significant business activity

Dundee University is well aware of the importance of bringing large academic conferences to the city.

Jim McGeorge, secretary of the university, said the institution is continually looking to host such events which help bring prestige and considerable business activity to Dundee.

He added: “A major conference such as the ISAM (International Society of Addiction Medicine) congress, which we hosted in 2015, can generate more than £1 million of economic activity.”

Dundee University was also a delivery partner for last year’s ninth International Concrete Conference in the city which attracted 160 delegates from 29 countries and had an impact of more than £260,000 on the local economy.

The university is a world leader in concrete technology and Dundee has held the gathering of international experts since the inaugural event.

One of Dundee University’s core aims is to take the city to the world, and bring the world to Dundee.

Mr McGeorge said: “We do that with staff and students, who come to the university from over 140 countries and make a huge contribution to the life and economy of the city and Scotland.”

The university’s academics regularly contribute to conferences and events all over the world, adding to the international renown of the educational institution and the city.

Mr McGeorge added: “At the same time, we are always keen to welcome visitors here. Conferences, academic gatherings and associated events are one of the ways we do that.

“These can range from a few dozen people to hundreds of delegates, or small gatherings to discuss ongoing or prospective projects with partners from across the UK, Europe and beyond.

“We are welcoming visitors to the university all the time – there will barely be a single day over the course of the year when we do not have something going on that has brought people to Dundee.”

Mr McGeorge said hundreds of conference visitors will be welcomed throughout 2017, in addition to the tens of thousands attending major events such as graduation, degree shows and the university’s 50th anniversary.

Among significant conferences involving Dundee University this year is Transformations 2017, which will focus on transformations towards sustainability, and the first Promoting Inclusion, Transforming Lives international gathering.

The importance of Dundee University to the Scottish economy was spelled out in a report last year.

The economic and social impact study carried out by the Fraser of Allander Institute found that the university supports over £740 million of turnover in businesses in Scotland.

The report shows how vital the university is to the economy of east and central Scotland with one in every 12 jobs in Dundee – and more than 4,000 jobs across Tayside and Fife supported by the university’s activities.

Clockwise from top: Delegates at the 2016 Concrete Conference at Dundee University; Solidia Technologies CEO Tom Schuler during his presentation and university secretary Jim McGeorge.