FORMER world motor racing champion Jackie Stewart has been made a professor by Stirling University.
Stewart will be attached to the Department of Entrepreneurship at the university. As an honorary professor, he will advise the department on matters within his field and give a limited number of lectures every year.
It is hoped he will raise the profile of entrepreneurship as an academic subject.
His inaugural lecture will be in the autumn. His subject will be taking risks - in business and in sport.
Stewart developed the Jackie Stewart Shooting and Fishing School at Gleneagles, and has returned to motor racing via Stewart Grand Prix.
Last year, he was awarded the title Entrepreneur of the Year by members of the Entrepreneurial Exchange - an exclusive club of 350 of Scotland's top entrepreneurs chaired by Kwik-Fit boss Sir Tom Farmer.
Jackie Stewart was in Detroit yesterday and about to leave for the Monaco Grand Prix. He said last night he felt privileged at being taken on by Stirling University. ''I am very honoured and excited to have such an association. I look forward to September when my first presentation to the university will take place.''
Frank Martin, senior teaching fellow Stirling University, said yesterday that an agreement had been reached whereby the university would offer an honorary professorship annually to the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Mr Martin said that in addition to giving some lectures and passing on his skills, it was hoped Stewart would forge links with students in the Department of Entrepreneurship and the Department of Sports Studies. The university is now offering a joint degree in Sports Studies and Entrepreneurship.
Mr Martin said: ''We hope he'll raise the profile of both departments.
''In many ways he's a perfect role model.
''He's started a number of businesses over time. We want him to look with the students at the risks involved and how he went about calculating those risks in a professional way - just the way he went about calculating the risks in motor sport in a professional way.
''There is a lot to learn in entrepreneurship today.''
Stewart's debut appearance at the university will be on September 29 when he gives his public lecture.
A university spokesman said: ''This is far from being just a title. It is hoped that he will have some serious input.''
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