Principal's sudden death 'a great loss to higher learning'

PROFESSOR Mike Pittilo, the principal and vice chancellor of Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University, died suddenly yesterday at the age of 55.

Prof Pittilo, who was appointed to head the university five years ago, had been ill for some time but had continued to work at his post until last week. Prof John Harper, the acting principal of RGU, said last night: "We've lost an inspirational leader who will be sadly missed not only for the direction he brought to the university but also the warm rapport he had with both staff and students.

"Our thoughts are very much with his wife Carol at this time."

He added: "Mike's legacy to the university will be that during his five years as principal, Robert Gordon University became recognised as the best modern university in the UK by The Times league tables in both 2009 and 2010. He was very proud of this achievement."

Prof Sir Duncan Rice, principal and vice chancellor of Aberdeen University, said he was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of his fellow principal.

He said: "Mike's leadership of RGU was outstanding and, as a result, the North East and Scotland have much to be grateful to him for. He is a great loss to the world of higher education.

"We enjoyed a close working relationship and Mike's enthusiasm, dedication and leadership helped steer a number of highly successful collaborative partnerships between our universities."

A university spokesman explained that Prof Pittilo had died suddenly but peacefully in the early hours of the morning.

He said: "Professor Pittilo had been ill for some time but had continued to work until last week. The suddenness of his death has been a shock for everyone at the university."

A biologist by training, Prof Pittilo was appointed principal of RGU in September 2005, from the University of Hertfordshire where he had been vice chancellor.

From 1995 to 2001 he was the foundation dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences at Kingston University and St George's Hospital Medical School at the University of London.

A graduate of Strathclyde University, Prof Pittilo worked briefly as a biomedical scientist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary before embarking on his academic career.

Prof Pittilo served as an adviser to a number of health authorities in England and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

He was also chairman of the education committee for the Prince of Wales's Foundation for Integrated Health and the honorary president of the Aberdeen History Society.

Last May, he was appointed to the management board of Scotland Food and Drink, the industry-led and government-supported organisation established to grow the value of the industry to 10 billion by 2017.

North East Scotland Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes said: "Professor Pittilo's contribution to higher education in North East Scotland was significant and his career in life science was recently recognised in the New Years Honours list with an MBE for services to health. Mike further contributed to civic society and was very generous with his time. He will be very sadly missed."