University principal ‘deeply honoured’ to become Knight Grand Cross

A university principal has said he is “deeply honoured” to be appointed to the most senior rank of the Order of the British Empire.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, of the University of Strathclyde, has been appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours list, for services to engineering, education and energy.

It is the most senior rank of the Order of the British Empire, with fewer than 115 appointed in the last 60 years and only 27 in the 21st century.

Sir Jim became principal and vice-chancellor of the university in March 2009 following a long association with Strathclyde, studying his bachelor of science, masters and PhD degrees in the areas of electronic and electrical engineering, power systems and energy economics.

He worked in the electrical utility sector for seven years before returning to the university in 1984 as a lecturer in electrical engineering.

Sir Jim said: “I am deeply honoured to have been recognised by His Majesty in this way.

“It is a huge privilege to be principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde and to hold the presidency of the Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the UK’s national academies.

“The discipline of engineering – particularly in the field of energy – and the institution of Strathclyde are both very close to my heart and to receive such recognition for my work in these areas is incredibly humbling.

“I lead a fantastic team at Strathclyde and this award also recognises the help I’ve received from a huge number of people who have contributed to my personal development, professional opportunities and career over many years in academia, industry and public service.

“Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of my wife Eileen and that of my children, family and friends.”

Other academics at the university have also been recognised in the honours.

Professors Roma Maguire and Yvonne Perrie have been made MBEs and Gavin Halbert has been made an OBE for their work related to health and care and research.

Prof Maguire, director of the health and care futures initiative at Strathclyde, said she was “deeply honoured and humbled” by the appointment.

She said: “I am thankful for the privilege of working with exceptional colleagues who, like me, are driven by a shared passion for advancing healthcare research.

I am truly delighted to see three more Strathclyders recognised for their contribution to their fields and to Scottish society in the New Year Honours list

“Together we strive to make a meaningful and positive impact on the lives of individuals and society at large.”

Prof Perrie is head of Strathclyde’s Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and she said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be recognised.

Prof Halbert is the director of the Cancer Research UK formulation unit in the Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences.

He said the recognition is “welcome”, and he dedicated it to the cancer patients who volunteer for clinical trials the unit supports.

Sir Jim added: “I am truly delighted to see three more Strathclyders recognised for their contribution to their fields and to Scottish society in the New Year Honours list.

“Our people are what makes Strathclyde a socially progressive, leading international technological university that uses its distinctive approach to teaching, research and innovation to have a positive effect on the world around us.

“Roma, Yvonne and Gavin epitomise the very best of our impactful research leadership, and whose work is underpinned and facilitated by our institutional values.

“The entire university staff will join me in congratulating all three colleagues on this wonderful recognition of their work.”

Hearing my ‘Coronation Kyrie’ performed by the wonderful Sir Bryn Terfel, accompanied by the famous Choir of Westminster Abbey, is a memory which will last a lifetime

Academics from other universities have also been recognised, including Paul Mealor, Professor of composition, from the University of Aberdeen.

He has become a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) – a gift given by the King to people who have served him or the monarchy in a personal way.

Prof Mealor was recognised after he composed Coronation Kyrie for the King’s coronation earlier this year.

He said: “I am truly humbled to be included in the New Year’s Honours list at the invitation of His Majesty, it has been a privilege and a joy to compose music for occasions to celebrate key moments in the lives and service of the royal family.

“Hearing my Coronation Kyrie performed by the wonderful Sir Bryn Terfel, accompanied by the famous Choir of Westminster Abbey, is a memory which will last a lifetime and I am thankful for the many wonderful opportunities I have been afforded.

“Joining the Royal Victorian Order is the pinnacle of my musical career.”

Professor James N’Dow has been appointed an OBE for his services to advancement of the profession of urology, his related cancer research and for his voluntary clinical and academic work.

Academics at Scotland’s oldest university have also been recognised.

Professor Kenneth Falconer, of the University of St Andrews, has been made a CBE for services to mathematics.

Andrew Pettegree FBA, Professor of modern history, has been made a CBE for services to literature and Professor of pure mathematics Colva Mary Roney-Dougal has been appointed an OBE for services to education and mathematics, marking a double celebration for the university’s School of Mathematics.