It is with great sadness that we note the passing of a remarkable scholar, a generous higher education leader and a powerful voice in the global community university engagement movement.  David passed away on February 8, 2015 at his home in Lewes, England after a tragically short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sir David may be best known amongst the community university engagement world for his leadership in founding the Community University Partnership Programme at the University of Brighton.  He was also the author of the Engaged University and many other books which have been foundational to the development of our movement.  He was one of the founding partners of our UNESCO Chair and led the first Global Communiqué on Strengthening North South Relations in Community University Research, a statement issued by the Big Tent group of global university networks.

The extent of David’s contributions to higher education, adult education, social justice and learning is almost impossible to capture.  His last position was as Principal of Green Templeton College at Oxford University.  Prior to that he was a Professor of Higher Education at the Institute of Education in London.  Before that he was the Vice-Chancellor at Brighton University.  He wrote dozens of books, over 400 articles and chapters was a fine musician.  His love of cricket rivalled most Indian cricket devotees.

Budd and his partner Darlene were fortunate to have dinner with he and his wife Betty in November of 2014 at Green Templeton College where David was in fine form opening the dinner with a Latin prayer and welcoming the assembled, including the Oxford women’s Rugby club.

Professor Sir David Watson leaves us stronger and more confident, but his departure leaves us sad.

Please join us in sending our condolences to his wife Betty and his two children, Michael and Sarah

Budd Hall and Rajesh Tandon
February 9, 2015

‘The Times Higher Education Network pays tribute to Dr David Watson. Read more at: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/sir-david-watson-dies-aged-65/2018425.article’.

See more at: http://unescochair-cbrsr.org/unesco/thank-you-david-professor-sir-david-...