Classes of the 60s
Updates from alumni who graduated during the 1960s
Asad Shariff, Engineering '66
Asad Shariff built a successful career in Canada where he worked as a mechanical engineer after immigrating.
He rose to the position of Mechanical Engineer Specialist and retired early. Sadly he was widowed at the age of 61.
Despite facing both open and subtle racism in Canada, Asad nonetheless believed that Canada was good to him. He found a strong sense of belonging there, calling the country his 'watan'.
He then immigrated to the United States, and now lives there as a permanent resident with his daughter. He enjoys a comfortable retirement. "It’s different here in some ways and same in many ways. Life is comfortable. Sense of belonging? Presently am still like the wind."
Michael Gordon, Medicine, '66
"I am a graduate of the class of 66, in Medicine. I had to retire from my academic position at Baycrest Geriatric Centre and Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto just before the pandemic because of an illness. When I recovered, I realised how much I missed medicine, so I accepted a part-time position at the Toronto Memory Clinic in Toronto. I see patients referred because of cognitive issues but have learned to probe through the lens of a geriatrician and often deal with many comorbidities that aggravate the cognitive issues. A lot of my time is spent focusing on life-style issues and have had a number of patients who by decreasing their alcohol intake to what they described as "social drinking" has resulted in a tangible improvement in their cognition.
"I continue with my writing, and since my last posting have updated my first book "Old Enough to Feel Better: A Medical Guide for Seniors", as well as my memoir, "Brooklyn Beginnings: A Geriatrician's Odyssey". In it I write about many of my experiences in Dundee as well as during my house job in Aberdeen.
"I continue with my teaching too at the Baycrest Centre and have recently been appointed to the faculty of a new medical school in Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, and do seminars for residents in family medicine and emergency medicine on Medical Ethics, Humanism in Medicine and End of Life considerations.
"I often mention special aspects of my medical education in Dundee and the wonderful foundation it gave me for humane medicine and the fact I continue to be in contact with some of my dear classmates in the UK and some who have moved abroad."
Robert Young, Psychology '65
Robert Young is looking forward to welcoming his sixth grandchild in May, joining a lively group of grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 18. Since retiring in 2007 from his role as Director of Learning and Quality at the School of Education, University of Greenwich, Robert has remained actively involved in a wide range of voluntary work.
He plays a key role in school governance, serves as Secretary for both the National Association for Primary Education and the Primary Umbrella Group, sings with the South West Essex Choir, and coordinates the social and cultural programme for the Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue.
He looks back on his student days at Dundee - then Queen’s College under the University of St Andrews (1961–1965) - with great affection and gratitude. It was there that he transformed from a struggling and frustrated sixth-former into a confident and capable student. For Robert, those were truly special times.
Do you have an update you'd like to share with our alumni community? A new job, a life update, or something else? It could be the chance to reconnect with long-lost friends - or find others on a similar path since leaving Dundee.