An Aberdeen University don has been honoured for his efforts to attract major conferences to the area.
Professor John Watson received his special recognition award at a ceremony held to celebrate the endeavours of “ambassadors” helping to raise the international profile of Aberdeen city and shire.
The 20 winners were key to Europe’s energy capital successfully bidding for and hosting 18 conferences on a diverse range of topics, including gene regulation, translation, rural sociology and marine technology, during the past year alone.
Prof Watson, emeritus professor in Aberdeen University’s engineering school, has attracted events such as European Optical Society 2012, 3DTV 2013 and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Oceans 2007 and 2017 conferences.
“I am absolutely thrilled to receive this special recognition award,” he said, adding: “It is fantastic to see so many of my peers’ efforts being recognised as well.”
Steve Harris, chief executive of tourism body VisitAberdeenshire, said: “Aberdeen is often called the oil capital of Europe, and many know about the large energy industry events which take place in the city.
“While the energy industry is obviously valuable to the region, it is important to realise and celebrate the diverse range of academic events that also take place.
“From Latin American studies to cement and concrete technology, the breadth of conferences held in the north-east over the past year is staggering.
“It shows that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have a lot to offer in a diverse range of important research fields.”