Centenary Reception SPE Offshore Europe 2023
Alumni, staff and industry partners gather to mark 100 years of engineering at Aberdeen
100 Years of Engineering
A.U. Men's Athletic Club, 1963
Featuring J Webster, J Croxon, N. Jordan and (Sir) D. Cruickshank. Photo - N Jordan, BSc Engineering, 1964
Engineering Dinner 1960/61
Photo courtesy of Bill Munro
Engineering Students - Marischal College, 1961
L-R: Terrence McManus, David Shaw, John Webster, Stewart Beaton' Photo submitted by Neville Jordan, BSc Engineering, 1964
'A. U. Engineering Students' Society visits the (Old) Forth Road Bridge, under construction, 1963
Jeremy Croxon, Stewart Dunlop, Jeremy "Joe" Bryant....Rear (standing), L—R: Rod Greenwell, George McGowan, Edwin "Eddie" Jack, Photo submitted by Neville Jordan, BSc Engineering, 1964
AU Engineering Students' Society, ICI Billingham, 1964
Ian Henderson (middle row, 3rd fr. L) was President' Photo submitted by Neville Jordan, BSc Engineering, 1964
Student Parade
Engineering department preparing for student parade, Marischal College. Photo courtesy of Bill Munro.
1979 Engineering Graduates Reunion
Mitchell Hall, Marischal College
TAU Racing
Launch Event, SDR Library 2018
Team PrototAU
Offshore Europe 2019
MSc Renewable Energy Engineering Class, 2017
Photo: Bethsabe Sanchez Moreno
Brief History of Engineering at Aberdeen
The School of Engineering traces its foundation back to the establishment of the Department of Engineering with the appointment of William Blackadder as the first Professor of Engineering on 4 May 1923. Prof Blackadder held a DSc from Edinburgh and prior to his appointment at Aberdeen, he lectured in the department of mechanics at the Royal Technical College in Glasgow, a predecessor of the University of Strathclyde. The appointment of Prof. Blackadder was followed up by the establishment of the Jackson Chair in Engineering in 1924.
The first degree programme, a BSc Engineering, appeared in the 1926-27 University calendar and over the coming years, the department offered degrees in mechanical, civil and electrical engineering. Teaching at the time was conducted in conjunction with Robert Gordon's Technical College.
One of the most fondly remembered academics of the post-war era was the world-renowned physicist Reginald Victor (RV) Jones, who served as Professor of Natural Philosophy from 1946 until his retirement in 1981. Professor Jones played a critical role in the defence of Britain during the Second World War and was renowned for his enthusiastic lectures and lively scientific demonstrations. His memory is honoured to this day through the RV Jones Distinguished Lecture Series, an annual series of public lectures given by distinguished engineers and scientists organised by the School of Engineering.
In 1983, Engineering began the process of moving from its premises in Marischal College to the Kings College campus in Old Aberdeen.
Looking to the Future
Today the School of Engineering is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in teaching and research, particularly in relation to net zero and sustainable energy sources. The School has also expanded into other branches of engineering including biomedical engineering, robotics, and AI.
At the heart of each of our disciplines lies a passion for using creativity to design solutions to the complex technological, economic, environmental, and social challenges we face today. Building on the general engineering ethos of the School, we continue to foster strong multi-disciplinary links across the entire range of our teaching and research.
Share your memories
If you have photos or memories of your time studying engineering at Aberdeen that you would like to share with us, then please contact our alumni team at alumni@abdn.ac.uk