Economic adviser turns professor

THE former chief economic adviser to the Scottish Government is to take a role as visiting professor at Strathclyde University.

Andrew Goudie, who officially retires from his post this month, will provide advice and support to the principal and help the university develop its international policy.

A former senior economist at the World Bank in Washington, Dr Goudie will join the university's faculty of humanities and social science.

He said: "I look forward immensely to contributing to this development of Strathclyde into a truly global force, where academics and students see the exploitation of both domestic and international opportunities as central to their thinking.

"Universities are more than ever at the centre of our economic life and critical to the vision and aspirations that we all share for Scotland.

"Strathclyde is ideally placed increasingly to contribute to these objectives.

"It already has an authoritative, independent and influential voice, and is rapidly building a reputation as a strong competitor on the world stage."

University principal Professor Jim McDonald said Dr Goudie would help strengthen Strathclyde's international reputation.

He said: "Andrew's work has had a tremendous impact in Scotland and across the globe, and he has long been a key player in the development of our economy.

"We are delighted he is joining the university, where he will inspire the academic leaders of tomorrow and inform our research and knowledge exchange programmes.

"He will also play a key role in the development of the university's international strategy, helping us build and cement relationships with key partners around the world."