Dr Ron Emanuel A remarkable contribution to Glasgow University

In parallel he had become increasingly involved with the Association of University Teachers, being honorary secretary of Glasgow AUT from 1977 to 1982 and subsequently a member of the AUT national executive committee from which he became national vice-president in 1982 and national president for 1984-85.

''Ron's contribution was instrumental in shaping the identity of the organisation and giving a new effectiveness in representing its members,'' said university AUT colleagues.

He became head of the department of chemistry in the autumn of 1987 and managed the second-largest chemistry department in the United Kingdom, in his efficient way. In achieving his aim at the outset of his headship, Ron led the chemistry department back into a position of providing strong and co-ordinated research and teaching with substantially increased research grant income and student numbers.

He also, prophetically, led collaborations with Strathclyde University's chemistry department principally in pursuit of state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers. In recognition of his many contributions to the university, he was promoted to senior

lecturer in October 1988.

His academic career took a significant change of direction in 1990 when he became academic audit officer for the university, and then director of quality assurance in 1994. His role in leading the university's involvements with teaching quality audit and assessment expanded rapidly in line with the increasing demands from outside and particularly from the higher education funding councils. In 1992 he finally cut his links with the department of chemistry, although he retained honorary senior lectureship status in that department, when he was re-designated as quality assessment officer in the central administration.

There is no doubt that Ron's influence as quality assessment officer, and director of quality assurance, was of the highest importance and his responsibility for the university gaining the highest number of excellent ratings - 16 - for teaching

quality, of any university in Scotland is a major achievement which in itself is a lasting legacy that will be a feature of the university's academic inheritance.

While driving quality assurance forward within the university, he also found himself playing an increasing role in the broader world of quality assurance. In 1993 he became lead assessor in chemistry for the first round of assessments in the Scottish Higher Educational Funding Council's quality assessment programme. Using his expertise in the quality arena, Ron also made important contributions to the work of Universities Scotland, both latterly and in its initial manifestation as COSHEP.

He served two terms as chairman of the Teaching Quality Forum, was a member of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's learning and teaching committee as well as being a member of the Quality Assurance Agency's Scotland committee.

On the national scale, he made many informed contributions to the work of Universities UK and his influence extended outwith Scotland to the European Union where he was persuasive in convincing the EU that it would be wise to look to Scotland for insights and models.

In August 1998 he became the first non-professorial

vice-principal of Glasgow University when he took up the office with responsibility for learning and teaching. Here he developed his well-established foundations to the further benefit of the university and the sector. His thoroughness and academic integrity were very

widely respected. He also was able to develop further his long time interest in student welfare through a series of increasing involvements in the wider access arena.

This interest in widening access could possibly be traced back to when Ron was 15 and his parents wanted him to leave school. They found a job for him in a good trade, something that would bring in a dependable wage. Fortunately for the Glasgow University, the rector of Ron's school saw his pupil's potential and visited his parents and persuaded them that Ron had the ability to go on to university. Ron went on to complete a PhD at Queen Mary College at London University where he had graduated BSc with first class honours

in 1964.

In 2002, when he had completed his four years as vice-principal, he became director of strategy for widening participation, a role which built on his profound commitment to enhancing opportunities for those who might not traditionally consider higher education as a place for them. Ron established the widening participation service (WPS) in the university and directed the WPS team with enthusiasm and commitment. He was a major architect and proponent of the highly successful and inclusive Goals (Greater Opportunity for Access and Learning with Schools) programme.

Professor Seamus McDaid, vice-principal - University of Paisley commented ''the development of Goals was a highly complex procedure which required the co-operation and agreement of six HEIs, 13 local education authorities, and 300 schools across the West of Scotland. Ron's absolute commitment to the benefits of widening opportunities for access to universities was always clear, and he was a key player in ensuring that the political and practical problems inherent in developing and delivering such a complex project were successfully overcome''.

Ron also played a lead role in establishing the West of Scotland Wider Access Forum (WSWAF) and was chairman of the WSWAF executive in 2001-02. His talents extended well beyond his proven academic abilities. His interests included a passion for classical music - evidenced through his extensive music collection, enjoyment of musical performances, and his resounding baritone voice.

Ron is survived by three children. He was proud of his family's achievements and followed their careers with interest.

Dr Ronald Vincent Emanuel; born February 25,1943, died July 24, 2003.

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