Award celebrates root and branch successes

Published on Wednesday 13 July 2011 14:45

CAPITAL-based Professor David McKenzie has been presented with a prestigious award at the Scottish Agricultural College's (SAC) annual graduation ceremony.

Mr McKenzie, who is currently SAC's vice principal and head of the college's Learning Division, has been awarded a personal professorship in rural education development.

The award comes as a tribute to Mr McKenzie's wide experience in education and strategy. His numerous achievements and his vital role within SAC have gained him great respect from his colleagues.

The graduation ceremony was held last week in Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow.

Mr McKenzie, 57, was born in Lanark, and studied accountancy and business law at the University of Stirling. He later left Scotland, gaining an MA in tertiary education management at the University of Wales and an MBA at Aston University in Birmingham.

He began his education career at Clackmannan College and later spent nine years at what is now University College Birmingham, mostly as vice principal, and another two years as the principal of East Devon College.

He moved back to Scotland in 2000, working as assistant director in the KPMG Education Advisory Practice. He joined SAC in 2001.

Mr McKenzie's achievements while working for SAC have been many. The college has witnessed a significant increase in student recruitment, retention and satisfaction since his appointment, gaining the college positive reviews from the Quality Assurance Agency.

He also led SAC to be recognised as a Higher Education Institution and a Scottish Funding Council fundable body.

Mr McKenzie's people skills helped him build and develop many successful relationships with other colleges and universities. He led important cooperations with the University of West Scotland and the University of Glasgow - one of SAC's most prestigious partners.

Mr McKenzie, who lives in the Capital, is involved in several projects, such as Going Further, a national strategy involving four colleges to develop tertiary education. He also contributes to an international agribusiness MBA, a project that involves 13 European countries.

In his spare time he studies Portuguese and enjoys swimming, "keeping fit and breathing fresh air".

He said: "I am very pleased to have received this award. I am looking forward to facing all these new challenges and I hope to further develop a national strategy to meet the needs of learners of the future."