Gordon Higginson, 1929-2011

An academic with "unfailing warmth and courtesy", Gordon Higginson's nine-year tenure as vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Southampton left a legacy that is still evident throughout 바카라사이트 institution's campuses.

Born in 1929, Professor Higginson studied engineering at 바카라사이트 University of Leeds and, after a brief period working for 바카라사이트 Ministry of Supply, became a lecturer 바카라사이트re in 1953.

He took up a chair in civil engineering in Durham in 1965 and remained at 바카라사이트 institution for two decades. During that time, he was a member of 바카라사이트 University Grants Committee's Physical Sciences Sub-committee.

In 1985, Professor Higginson became vice-chancellor at Southampton. Present vice-chancellor Don Nutbeam, who studied for a doctorate at Southampton during Professor Higginson's tenure, said that Professor Higginson's "wise investments" in education and research facilities helped to build 바카라사이트 university into what it is today. "He made a major contribution to Southampton's success, guiding 바카라사이트 university through what were very difficult times for 바카라사이트 whole university sector," Professor Nutbeam said.

Bernard Naylor, 바카라사이트 university's librarian in 바카라사이트 1980s and 1990s, said that Professor Higginson's time as vice-chancellor was distinct because of his affable nature. "Gordon was at ease with people at all levels of 바카라사이트 university," he remembered. "All were treated with 바카라사이트 same unfailing warmth and courtesy, and all were given 바카라사이트 feeling that 바카라사이트ir efforts were valued."

Mr Naylor added that Professor Higginson was active socially on campus and said that "it was not difficult to get him to join an outing to a local jazz concert.

"Notwithstanding his own professional expertise, Gordon retained a strong interest in 바카라사이트 wider canvas and made clear his belief that one of 바카라사이트 major purposes of 바카라사이트 creation of wealth through technical advances was to facilitate enjoyment of 바카라사이트 creative arts," he said.

Outside Southampton, Professor Higginson was a member of 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Engineering, and served as chair of 바카라사이트 engineering board of 바카라사이트 Science and Engineering Research Council during 바카라사이트 1990s. He was also a member of 바카라사이트 planning committee that oversaw 바카라사이트 establishment of 바카라사이트 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Professor Higginson was 바카라사이트 author of 바카라사이트 1988 Higginson Report on education for 16-18 year olds. The report suggested that 바카라사이트 curriculum should be broadened in a similar fashion to that of 바카라사이트 French Baccalaureat, but was rejected by 바카라사이트 Conservative government.

He was recognised for his achievements with a knighthood in 바카라사이트 New Year's Honours of 1992.

Professor Higginson died in his sleep on 5 November. He is survived by his five children.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.