Alistair MacFarlane facts for kids

Sir Alistair George James MacFarlane (9 May 1931 – 2 November 2021) was a very important Scottish electrical engineer and a top academic. He led Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh as its Principal and Vice Chancellor. He also served as Rector of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Early Life and Education

Alistair MacFarlane was born on 9 May 1931. He went to Hamilton Academy, a special school known for helping smart students in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

He continued his studies at several universities. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and later a Doctor of Science (DSc) from the University of Glasgow. He also got a PhD from the University of London and a Master of Science (MSc) from the University of Manchester. These degrees show his deep knowledge in engineering.

Becoming an Engineer and Professor

After university, Alistair MacFarlane worked as an engineer. He joined the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company Ltd. in their laboratories.

In 1959, he became a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Queen Mary, University of London. A lecturer is like a teacher at a university. He was promoted to a Reader in 1965. A Reader is a senior academic position, a step below a full professor.

In 1966, he moved to the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. There, he became a Reader in Control Engineering. Control engineering is about designing systems that can manage and regulate other systems, like robots or factory machines. He became a full Professor in 1969.

Later, he joined the University of Cambridge. From 1974 to 1990, he was a Professor of Control Engineering there. He also led the Information Engineering Division. He was a Fellow at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and even served as its Vice-Master.

Leading Universities and Councils

Sir Alistair MacFarlane took on many important leadership roles. From 1993 to 1998, he was the chairman of the Scottish Council for Research in Education. This council helps guide research in education across Scotland.

He also chaired the Scottish Library and Information Council from 1994 to 1998. He was a non-Executive Director at British Nuclear Fuels and a member of the BT Advisory Forum in Scotland.

From 1989 to 1996, he was the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. This means he was the main leader of the university. After that, he helped set up the Scottish University for Industry.

He also played a big part in creating the University of the Highlands and Islands. He was the Chairman of its Academic Advisory Board. He even served as its Acting Chief Executive Officer and later as its Rector from 2001 to 2004.

Sir Alistair MacFarlane passed away on 2 November 2021.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Alistair MacFarlane received many honors for his work. In 1987, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This is a special award from the Queen for his contributions.

He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. These are groups of very important scientists. He was also a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

He received several medals for his engineering achievements. These include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Centennial Medal, the Sir Harold Hartley Medal, and the Institution of Electrical Engineers Achievement Medal and Faraday Medal.

In 2002, Alistair MacFarlane was given a knighthood. This means he became "Sir Alistair MacFarlane" for his great services to education and science.

Images for kids

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  The Queen's Building, Queen Mary, University of London

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  Entrance to main reception, Edinburgh Campus, Heriot-Watt University