On 28 November the University of Dundee received The President's Award for 2003 from the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI). This is the SCDI's premier award and was made to the School of Life Sciences and the Medical School in recognition of their achievement in building up life sciences research and biotechnology into a major industry in Dundee, which now accounts for 12-14% of the local economy.

The award was collected on behalf of the University by Philip Cohen and David Lane.