UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 15 JANUARY 2019
A Black Country academic has gone from Gornal to Ghana after picking up his fourth Professorship spanning three different continents.
David J Edwards, Professor of Plant and Machinery Management at Birmingham City University, has seen his work celebrated by institutions in the United Kingdom, Africa and Australia which have opted to hand him the title of Professor.
The Dudley academic already had a Professorship with Birmingham City University, as well as Visiting Professorships with the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
But he is now set to scoop his fourth title after negotiating an Adjunct Professorship with Deakin University in Victoria Australia.
Professor Edwards said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be awarded these titles from peers at such prestigious institutions worldwide.
“It demonstrates that in key pockets of research, the University is world leading. Such success would not have been possible without the help of friends and colleagues and the support and mentorship of our former Dean, Professor Mel Lees and the late Frank Harris of the University of Wolverhampton. I am indebted to you all.”
Professor Edwards is renowned across the globe for his research which includes engineering design, and machinery health and safety.
His expertise has seen him work alongside the UK and US Departments of Defence, various government bodies and named as a Ghanaian Chief in a special ceremony held in Kumasi.
The unusual quadruple follows successes for Professor Edwards which have seen him named among the most influential academics on research website Research Gate, collect three Emerald Publishing Awards in the same year, and even be formally initiated as an African Chief.
Professor Clinton Aigbavboa, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation at the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, said: “Professor Edwards has an outstanding international profile and it is a pleasure to have him join the team here at the University of Johannesburg.
“As one of Africa’s leading universities, it is essential for both our staff and students to learn from his exemplary record of achievement and ensure that our taught curriculum is infused with the latest research and development knowledge.
“His ability to successfully build and manage a research team is invaluable to us and we look forward to a very exciting future under his guidance and support.”