College of Stirling principal and vice-chancellor Professor Sir Gerry McCormac has been introduced with a knighthood throughout an investiture at Windsor Fortress.
Professor McCormac was made a Knight Bachelor within the 2021 New 12 months Honours – and obtained his award insignia from the Prince of Wales on Tuesday.
The knighthood recognises his management in greater training and the foremost contribution that the College of Stirling continues to make to the economic system.
Professor McCormac – who has served because the college’s principal and vice-chancellor since Could 2010 and convener of Universities Scotland since August 2020 – mentioned: “I really feel very honoured to obtain this recognition and am indebted to the workers and college students on the College of Stirling whose exhausting work and dedication have made the college what it's at the moment.
“I’m immensely pleased with every part that we've achieved over the previous 12 years and the progress that we’ve made.
“Stirling is a global college with a pioneering spirit and a worldwide popularity for high-quality educating and analysis. Most significantly, it's a place the place capability – not background – is valued.
“Our successes are testomony to the tireless work of our campus neighborhood – our passionate and devoted workers, our gifted college students, and our inspirational alumni.
“I want to categorical my gratitude to all of those that have supported – and proceed to help – the college and, on a private observe, I might additionally wish to thank my household, shut pals and colleagues for his or her help, which is actually appreciated.”
Professor McCormac grew up in Belfast. The eldest of seven, he attended St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar Faculty and was the primary in his household to go to school, acquiring his undergraduate diploma on the Ulster Polytechnic and PhD collectively from Ulster and the College of Southampton. Specialising in house physics, carbon courting and local weather change, he spent the early years of his profession on the College of Michigan, the place he labored on the NASA Dynamics Explorer satellite tv for pc programme, earlier than heading up the carbon courting facility at Queen’s College Belfast.
From 2001 till 2010, Professor McCormac was Professional-Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s earlier than shifting to the College of Stirling in Could 2010. In his 12 years at Stirling, he has overseen a big enchancment in Stirling’s analysis and worldwide presence, and has led the regeneration of the college property – together with the renewal of the college’s lodging blocks, the redevelopment of the world-class sport services, and the creation of the Campus Central growth.
The college ranked within the prime 30 within the UK within the newest Nationwide Scholar Survey.
Strengthening the College’s worldwide hyperlinks, Professor McCormac led the creation of a three way partnership with INTO College Partnerships – leading to a educating centre for worldwide college students being created on campus – and a big improve in worldwide pupil recruitment. Underneath his management, the college has established a presence in China, India and Nigeria and developed transnational training with companions within the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Hong Kong – constructing on pre-existing initiatives in Vietnam, Oman, and different international locations.
Throughout Professor McCormac’s tenure, the college has obtained two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes – the primary for its work on social advertising and marketing in 2014 and the second, in 2019, for its globally recognised Institute of Aquaculture. As well as, Stirling was topped UK Sports activities College of the 12 months 2020 by The Instances and The Sunday Instances Good College Information, complementing its long-standing designation as Scotland’s College for Sporting Excellence.
The college is at the moment taking part in a vital position in delivering the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Metropolis Area Deal, a £214 million funding in the way forward for the area designed to drive financial progress, productiveness, and prosperity. The venture will see the college main the event of Scotland’s Worldwide Atmosphere Centre, a Nationwide Aquaculture Know-how and Innovation Hub, and an Intergenerational Residing Innovation Hub.
Along with his roles at Stirling and Universities Scotland, Professor McCormac is a UK board member of the Universities and Schools Employers Affiliation. He's a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of Antiquaries, the Royal Society of Arts, Commerce and Producers, and the Increased Training Academy; and a Trustee of the Carnegie Belief for the Universities of Scotland.
Professor McCormac is married with three sons.