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Richard W. Shaw

Professor Richard W. Shaw ... former University Principal receives Honorary Doctorate

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Former University Principal receives Honorary Doctorate

University of the West of Scotland awarded Professor Richard Shaw CBE, former Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, an Honorary Doctorate at its graduation ceremony on Tuesday 1 July 2008.

Professor Shaw, who has made an important contribution to Scottish Higher Education during his career, was Principal and Vice Chancellor of the, then, University of Paisley - from which University of the West of Scotland developed -from 1992 to 2001.

As Principal, Professor Shaw presided over the granting of University status for the institution, the development of its campus in Ayr and set the groundwork for the future development for the Dumfries campus. During this period the institution’s student population trebled.

Prior to joining the University in 1984, as Head of Department of Economics and Management, Professor Shaw’s Higher Education career included work with Leeds University, Stirling University and a visiting post at Newcastle University in Australia.

Professor Shaw, who lives in Dunblane, is a Director of Renfrewshire Careers Partnership and Renfrewshire Enterprise.

A University of the West of Scotland spokesperson said: “We were delighted to award Professor Shaw with an Honorary Doctorate. During his career he not only played a significant role in driving forward the University, but also contributed to the development of Higher Education in Scotland.”