The Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE) has named Professor Sir John V McCanny of Queens University Belfast (QUB) the recipient of its prestigious Parsons Medal at a ceremony on October 25 on board historic warship HMS Caroline in Belfast, writes Polly Dennison.
The IAE presented the medal, its only such award, to Prof McCanny at a ceremony on the ship in front of a crowd of academy fellows, esteemed engineers, academics, and the emeritus professor’s friends and family.
The Parsons Medal is given annually by the IAE to engineers who have made significant contributions to society through their work. Nominations are invited each year from engineers who know of colleagues who meet the criteria.
'Commitment to engineering and technology'
President of the IAE Prof Tony Smyth said: “I think you will agree that Sir John is an inspiration for the wide range of work he has undertaken and his commitment to engineering and technology.”
Honorary secretary of the academy and former president of Engineers Ireland Bill Grimson said: “The IAE is pleased to award the Parsons Medal to Sir John McCanny in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the advancement of the application of engineering, science and technology that result in significant social and economic impact.”
Prof McCanny recently retired into emeritus status, after a career as professor in electronics and computer engineering at QUB, and director of the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT).
He received a knighthood in the 2017 new year's honours in recognition of his services to higher education and economic development, and has published five research books, 360 peer-reviewed research papers, and holds more than 20 patents. He received a record level of funding for his research between 1984 and 2017, which amounted to approximately £110 million.
Developing data-storage technology
Prof McCanny is particularly well known for his work in developing data-storage technology. His focus, with his research teams, has been on the use of silicon to produce chips for digital and video-signal processing. Films including
Jurassic Park and
Schindler’s List have used technology developed by Prof McCanny and his research students.
[caption id="attachment_46796" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Prof Sir John McCanny in front of the HMS Caroline[/caption]
As well as ECIT, Prof McCanny was also responsible, within QUB, for developing the vision that led to the creation of the non-profit Catalyst Inc Science Park in Belfast. Developed from a brownfield site, there are now more than 200 companies employing 3,000 people, paying in excess of £115 million per annum in salaries.
Additionally, Prof McCanny spearheaded the Centre for Secure Information, a world-leader in cyber security. Established in 2009 and part of QUB, this helped to create a new business cluster in Belfast that today comprises more than 40 companies and employs in excess of 1,400 people.
World War one veteran vessel, HMS Caroline was chosen for the ceremony, as she was powered by four Parsons steam turbines – invented by Sir Charles Algernon Parsons, eminent Irish engineer, and namesake of the medal.
Sir Charles Parsons’ descendant, the 7th Earl of Rosse, Sir Brendan Parsons presented the medal to Prof McCanny, along with a commemorative €20 coin celebrating Sir Charles, which was minted in 2017 by the central bank.
Speaking at the event, Prof McCanny said he was deeply honoured to be presented with the Parsons Medal, adding “this very much represents the pinnacle of achievement for an engineer in Ireland.”
He paid tribute to the support and contributions of his colleagues at Catalyst Inc, Norman Apsley and newly appointed CEO, Steve Orr, the team at ECIT, and his family and friends.