Prof Orla Feely of Engineers Ireland with Dr Tony Scott. Image: Julien Behal Photography
Dr Tony Scott received an honorary fellow title, while Trinity’s Prof Linda Doyle and Enterprise Ireland’s Leo Clancy were invited to become fellows of Engineers Ireland.
Three leading figures from Irish innovation have been honoured by Engineers Ireland for their contributions to the engineering profession.
Dr Tony Scott, who co-founded the competition that would become the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, received an honorary title at Engineers Ireland’s National Conferring Ceremony 2022. Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy and Trinity College Dublin provost Prof Linda Doyle were also recognised.
Scott was presented with the title of honorary fellow of Engineers Ireland, the body that represents engineers across the country.
The title is the highest honour from Engineers Ireland, other than the presidency, and is given to recognise the importance of an individual’s work in engineering, science or other vocations.
Meanwhile, Clancy and Doyle were invited to become fellows of Engineers Ireland by the organisation’s president, Prof Orla Feely.
“I applaud Engineers Ireland for recognising the remarkable contributions made by Prof Linda Doyle, Dr Tony Scott and Leo Clancy and their great work driving innovation and ingenuity across the island of Ireland,” said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, TD, who was at the ceremony.
“I pay tribute to a profession that is fundamental to the delivery of the solutions that will address the grand challenges of our society and drive Ireland’s sustainable economic performance into the future.”
‘Enormous pride’
Reflecting on his honorary fellowship award, Scott said that his “lifelong interest in science and engineering” had inspired him to “want to showcase what can be achieved in these disciplines”.
The Young Scientist Exhibition was founded in 1965. “To have been a part of an initiative that has grown from 230 participants and 5,000 visitors 57 years ago to a nationally recognised event that attracts in excess of 2,000 project applications and over 55,000 visitors every year gives me enormous pride,” Scott added.
“The essence of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is the spirit and ingenuity demonstrated by the students who participate. The exhibition continues to help cultivate and nurture our young innovative talent of the future, and I thank Engineers Ireland, who also carry out great work in this area, for this prestigious recognition.”
Doyle said that being an engineer is a big part of her identity, adding that she draws on her engineering background every day in her role as provost. She also paid tribute to Feely and Engineers Ireland director general Caroline Spillane “for their unstinting work to inspire more women to explore the world of engineering”.
In his acceptance speech, Clancy said that throughout his career he has drawn on his technical skillset to create opportunities for himself and others to drive innovation and creativity.
“Indeed, strong technological skills and talent are increasingly vital to indigenous SMEs and help Irish companies to start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets as part of the wider business ecosystem.”
Scott, Doyle and Clancy were among the many engineers around the country to receive Engineers Ireland registered professional titles. The conferral event also featured a panel discussion involving Feely, Scott, Clancy and Dr Cristina Paduano on the topic of engineering in a time of change.
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