University of Abertay, Dundee

Abertay University

Motto	Latin: Beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam.
Motto in English	"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom."
Type	Public
Established	1994 - granted University Status 1888 - Dundee Institute of Technology
Chancellor	Lord Cullen of Whitekirk
Principal	Nigel Seaton
Chair of Court	Murray Shaw
Academic staff	208
Administrative staff	300
Students	4000
Undergraduates	3500
Postgraduates	440
Location	Dundee, Scotland 56°27′48″N 2°58′25″W / 56.46333°N 2.97361°W / 56.46333; -2.97361Coordinates: 56°27′48″N 2°58′25″W / 56.46333°N 2.97361°W / 56.46333; -2.97361
Colours	Blue, Red, Gold and Green
Affiliations	Million+ GuildHE Universities Scotland
Website	www.abertay.ac.uk

Abertay University, operating name for the University of Abertay Dundee since 2014, is one of two public universities in the city of Dundee, Scotland. Abertay is the number one University in Europe for undergraduate computer games degrees and in the world top 25 for postgraduate computer games degrees, according to the Princeton Review. Abertay launched the world's first computer games degree in 1997 and in 2017 held a programme of events celebrating 20 Years of Games. Today featuring four academic schools (Design and Informatics; Science, Engineering and Technology; Dundee Business School and Social and Health Sciences), Abertay was formed as Dundee Instituite of Technology in 1888, gaining University status in 1994. Abertay is also known for teaching and research in Ethical Hacking, Civil Engineering, Food & Drink, Sports Science, Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Sciences, Business, Accounting, Law, Mental Health Nursing & Counselling, Sociology and Computing.

The following history to 1988 provides a summary account that relies primarily on the book published by Dundee Institute of Technology in 1989, 'The First Hundred Years: 1888-1988'. Where additional sources have been used, post 1988, these have been cited accordingly.

In 1872 Sir David Baxter, 1st Baronet of Kilmaron, died and bequeathed £20,000 (£1,581,200 adjusting for inflation) for the establishment of a mechanics' institute in Dundee. The Baxter bequest was intended to create an educational establishment permitting young (male) working mechanics and other craftsmen to better themselves. After some years of delay the trustees finalised a scheme and met the conditions of the bequest and the Dundee Technical Institute opened on 15 October 1888 in grounds, purchased from University College, Dundee, adjacent to Small's Wynd, Dundee. Initially 238 students enrolled and classes were conducted based on the syllabus of the Government Science and Art Department of South Kensington and the City & Guilds of London Institute. Subjects were primarily scientific and technical although applied art was also taught, and jute spinning and textile design were soon added to the portfolio.

In 1901 the Dundee Technical Institute enrolled 723 part-time students and was one of the first education hubs to be recognised as a 'central institution' by the Scotch Education Department. In 1906 a new site in Bell Street, Dundee was purchased to build a larger complex to accommodate a growing student population. In 1911 the completed complex was formally opened as the Dundee Technical College & School of Art. The portfolio had by now expanded again to include marine engineering and navigation.