Knowledge is key to Dundee and all it stands for as a city.

Dundee boasts two world-class universities, a leading further education college and one of the finest private schools in Scotland.

In total more than 41,000 people study in Dundee each year, a greater ratio of students per head of population than Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Three of the most cited scientists in the UK are attached to the University of Dundee Medical School while 95% of research conducted at the institution is of national or international excellence.

The University of Abertay - which boasts Stagecoach group chief executive Brian Souter and leading computer games developer Dave Jones among its alumni - is a leading light in the digital and creative media sector and is regularly ranked in the Financial Times top ten of most improved modern universities.

Dundee is also home to the prestigious Al Maktoum Institute for Arabic Studies that played a pivotal role in the establishment of a sister city agreement between Dundee and Dubai.

• Graduation Statistics for Al-Maktoum Institute July 2003 – October 2006 (26KB PDF)

Notable Dundee academics include Sir James Black, the Chancellor of Dundee University who was awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize for Medicine, Professor Sir Philip Cohen and Professor Sir David Lane, the man who discovered the 'guardian angel' P53 cancer suppressor gene.

Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri pioneered keyhole surgery techniques while working at the medical school at Ninewells Hospital.