Curtin University has bestowed the prestigious title of Emeritus Professor on five outstanding academics in recognition of their distinguished service to the University.
The title was awarded to Professors Ming Ang and Mervyn Lynch from the Faculty of Science and Engineering; Professors Errol Cocks and John Mackenzie from the Faculty of Health Sciences; and Professor Alma Whiteley from the Faculty of Business and Law.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the professors had each made important contributions to the University throughout their distinguished careers.
“I am delighted to acknowledge the careers of Professors Ang, Cocks, Lynch, Mackenzie and Whiteley. Curtin’s academic staff play a key role in advancing the reputation of the University locally, nationally and internationally, and we are privileged to have professors of this calibre. As Emeritus Professors they will continue to act as ambassadors for the University,” Professor Terry said.
Professor Ming Ang, from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, joined Curtin in 1983 as one of the foundation academics in the Chemical Engineering department. He is recognised globally for research in the area of crystallisation and wastewater treatment, and also for his services to the chemical engineering profession. Professor Ang has received several awards, including being the only West Australian to have won the IChemE Lifetime Achievement Award.
Professor Errol Cocks, is a Professor of Disability Research, who has an esteemed career spanning 50 years. He has provided visionary services and contributions to improve the lives of people with disabilities. He has worked across Australia and internationally, and delivered innovative leadership in service development, disability theory and research to enable people to achieve citizenship and inclusion in their communities.
Professor Mervyn Lynch, is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. A physicist, who has completed 50 years at Curtin University / Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT). He initiated the establishment of remote sensing on the Curtin campus through the formation of the WA Satellite Technology and Applications Consortium, which has built a 30 year archive of remote sensing data over the Australian continent.
Professor John Mackenzie, is a Professor of Tropical Infectious Diseases in the Faculty of Health Sciences. He was the founder and Deputy CEO of the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, which was a funded CRC initiative established at Curtin. He was also awarded the decoration of Officer of the Order of Australia for service to microbiology research.
Professor Alma Whiteley, is an adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Business and Law. She is an internationally recognised researcher who held leadership roles in the course design for Curtin’s Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration from 1993 to 2003. She has published seven books, 25 refereed journal articles and 55 referred conference papers.
The title of Emeritus Professor is awarded to a Professor who is within six months of retirement and has demonstrated a distinguished service and commitment to the University.
