University Court visits TORT Centre

A representation consisting of seven University Court members, including the Lord Provost Bob Duncan, visited the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research (IMAR) at the TORT Centre for a guided tour of the facilities ahead of the Court meeting on Monday 27 October 2014. Professor Rami Abboud (Head of Department and an elected member of Court) and Dr Graham Arnold (IMAR Technical Manager) were on hand to introduce the Court members - Luc Bidaut, William Boyd, Bob Duncan, Iain Howie, Robin Van Mulders, Andrew Richmond and Iain Wright - to the staff and then guide them around the state of the art facilities available at TORT.

A number of undergraduate and postgraduate students studying on several of our different courses were also on hand to demonstrate just some of the varied and cutting edge research studies currently being carried out at IMAR. These included motion and gait analysis of the foot pressures in ballet dancers where Court members watched a real-time demonstration of how the data is collected, displayed and analysed. Other research areas demonstrated included foot vibration in F1 drivers, the most efficient way to hold and use a table tennis bat, rapid RTA vehicle extrication, a new design of bicycle saddle that increases blood flow in the thighs, golf swing analysis, investigating the forces seen in the hands of rock climbers, and a pre- and post-case presentation on treating cerebral palsy patients and the obvious improvement in gait and subsequently improved quality of life.

Left: ballet dancing motion analysis demonstration; Right: University Court members being shown around the TORT Centre

Mr Iain Wright thanked, on behalf of all Court members present, Professor Abboud and his team for their hospitality and the excellent demonstration. Mr Iain Howie, a Chartered Accountant, emailed Professor Abboud and stated:

“Thanks Rami and your team for showing us around your unit. It was fascinating to get some insight into the type of work you do and the difference you make to people's lives. You have a great team and it was a pleasure to have the chance to meet some of them and hear first-hand about their work and experiences”.

We know what you’re probably thinking - how can they do all that research based in labs? Well you’ll be amazed to know that there is a F1 driver’s seat, a full-sized table tennis table, a whole car, a golf simulator, and a fully functional climbing wall in-situ in the labs, as well as a well-equipped gym! And, those are just a few of the hidden treasures you probably did not know are available in the TORT Centre. So if you would like a group tour of the facilities and services we can offer please contact us to see what can be arranged.

Left: table tennis bat research; Right: climbing wall at the TORT Centre

Professor Abboud stated:

“I have been an elected member of Court for just over 10 years and I am currently serving my last nine months. It has been a privilege to be elected by my fellow academic staff from the Academic Council and subsequently from Senate for a record 11 years. During this time, I have learnt a lot about Governance and the University and I have tried my best to represent the best interest of staff, students and the University. It has not been easy and most recently very challenging considering the hard decisions that Court took to support cuts. It was a great pleasure to have seven out of possible twenty three members of Court visiting IMAR and TORT to show them the excellent facilities and dedicated staff that we have at the University of Dundee”.

Left: golf swing 3D motion analysis; Right: car for RTA extrication research

• The University Court consists of 23 members – six elected from amongst the academic staff, one from the non-academic staff, two students, the Principal and 13 lay members. The Court is the governing body of the University with particular responsibility for the employment of staff and the management and administration of property and finance. It has several key aims: to oversee the management of all of the revenue and property of the University and to exercise general control over its affairs, purposes and functions, taking all final decisions on matters of fundamental concern to the institution;

• safeguard the good name and values of the University and to ensure that the institution is responsive to the interests of its stakeholders, including students, staff, graduates, the local community and funding bodies;

• make such provision as it thinks fit, in consultation with the Senatus, for the general welfare of students.