THE first professor of public relations in Britain has been appointed

at Stirling University.

PR veteran Mr Sam Black, 70, becomes honorary professor after helping

to devise Stirling's one-year MSc postgraduate course, the first of its

kind at a British university.

The skill will get further academic endorsement later this year when

colleges in Poole and Plymouth offer Britain's first BA honours courses

in the subject.

Professor Black wrote a pioneering British textbook on the subject in

1962.

''Press relations is important, but that is only part of the job,'' he

said. ''It is really part of good management, and covers many areas''.