Name / Title:
Sheena Stewart, University Secretary
How long have you worked here?
28 years.
What made you want to work at Abertay?
I had been working in London and wanted to return to Scotland, when the opportunity came up to be an Assistant Registrar here at the then Dundee Institute of Technology. Working in higher education seemed very worthwhile and useful, so I applied and was accepted!
How has the University changed over the years?
I think in the development of new areas of teaching (computer games, psychology etc) and particularly the growth in research, which has become much more mature over the years. Also the number of international students. When I started, it was less common to hear such a wonderful range of accents and languages as you walked around than you do now.
What would you say has been the biggest improvement?
The arrival of computers! Back then we had to write everything by hand and then have it typed up on a manual type-writer.
What one thing do you miss the most?
Really struggling to answer this question, but quite possibly the relative absence of the external regulations that we have to deal with now.
What are your memories of the campaign and, eventually, confirmation of University status in 1994?
One of my roles then was to co-ordinate the validation of new programmes of study. In order to reach the number of students needed, the management team decided that we should aim to create lots of new programmes and so I had an extremely busy time planning 25 new programme validation events in one year. It was nerve-wracking, but we did it.
Who has been your favourite or most memorable colleague?
I couldn’t possibly single one person out as I have had so many great colleagues over the years!
What is it about Abertay that has made you want to stay all these years?
People (students, colleagues and friends of the University), place (Dundee and surrounding area) and purpose (academic colleagues providing wonderful education and research that changes lives and allows individuals to forge their way in the world – being able to make a contribution to that is hugely rewarding.
Posted on 12th Aug 2019
Last modified by API