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Retiring college chief calls on government to keep investing
ISLE of Man College principal Dr Ian Killip has announced his retirement and urged the government to keep investing in education and training.
Dr Killip has been at the helm of the college, which has 8,000 full and part-time students, since 2006 and was deputy principal for six years before that. He will retire at the end of August.
And he made a plea for continued investment in education and training.
Dr Killip said: 'In the current financial circumstances, it is more important than ever for the Island to invest in the development of the skills of its population if it is to earn its rightful place in the global economy.'
He added: 'It has been a great pleasure to lead the college and to work alongside such dedicated and enthusiastic staff.
'I am extremely proud of everything we have achieved together, both with Ray Smith as principal and during my time leading the college.
'Around 8,000 people in the Isle of Man join our courses each year and each student's life is improved as a result. It is an immense privilege to be able to make a difference to so many lives and to know that the intellectual and practical skills developed through the college are crucial for the diversification and growth of our Island's economy.'
Born into a Manx family, Dr Killip left school at 16 to work in the construction industry and studied civil engineering part-time before entering university.
Graduating with a degree in building engineering from the University of Liverpool in 1976, he returned to the construction industry to design, construct and convert buildings in North West England before lecturing at Manchester College of Building and Liverpool Polytechnic. He established the polytechnic's first degree course in building.
In 1989 he moved to Brighton Polytechnic and, over the following decade, presided over the development of undergraduate and masters courses in construction technology and management, building surveying, environmental science, environmental management and geography, growing his department into what is now the School of Environment and Technology at the University of Brighton.
He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree by the University of Brighton in recognition of his research work into radon in dwellings.
Later, he decided he wanted to help develop the Isle of Man College and was appointed as deputy principal in January 2000 and replaced Ray Smith as principal in September 2006.
During his decade at the College, Dr Killip has been instrumental in its development to offer a range of courses at all levels up to degree level.
Dr Killip will continue working as a self-employed research scientist and author. He intends to immerse himself in research he put to one side when joining the college, including projects on the effects of global warming on plate tectonics, volcanicity and seismicity; the effects of variations in the Earth's electric field on mammals and the design and construction of buildings to reduce noxious soil gas entry by passive means.
He lives in Port St Mary with his wife Margaret, a primary school teacher, and hopes that the outcomes of his work will be of benefit to the Island in the future.
Deputy director of education Stuart Dobson said: 'Dr Killip has built very positive and sustainable relationships within the college and with a vast range of other institutions and businesses across the Island.
'He has effectively supported the Department of Education through his advice on higher and further education matters. The college is a very well-organised and effective institution thanks in great part to his leadership and guidance.'
A Department of Education spokesman said a search for Dr Killip's successor would start
shortly.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
