Principal of the Isle of Man College to retire

DR Ian Killip, the Principal of the Isle of Man College, is to retire at the end of August.

Dr Killip has headed the College, which has some 8,000 full and part-time students joining each year, since 2006 and was its Deputy Principal for six years prior to that.

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.

He was awarded a Master in Engineering degree in 1980 by the University of Liverpool in recognition of research work he undertook into the prevention of rain penetration through walls and joints.

In 1989 he moved to Brighton Polytechnic as head of the Department of Building 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.

Following a period of strategic management, where he developed the University’s institution-wide modular degree system, he chose to step sideways from his promising university career as he believed that he could make his greatest contribution through helping to develop the College for the benefit of the people of the Isle of Man.

He was appointed as Deputy Principal of the Isle of Man College in January 2000 and replaced Ray Smith as Principal in September 2006.

During his decade at the College, Dr Killip has been instrumental in developing it into the excellent facility it now is for students to enhance their knowledge, understanding and skills through a range of courses at all levels up to degree level.

Announcing his retirement, Dr Killip said:

‘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 each year 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.

‘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.’

Dr Killip will continue working as a self-employed research scientist and author. He intends to immerse himself in the research he put to one side when joining the College. His projects include 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.

Dr Killip, who lives in Port St Mary with his wife Margaret, a primary school teacher, hopes that the outcomes of his work will be of benefit to the Island.

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.’

The search for Dr Killip’s successor will start shortly.