Scottish businessman awarded honorary doctorate in engineering

He came to the UAE in the early 1990s to set up a small business in Sharjah, renting generators for construction sites. Over the years Derek Shepherd has expanded the business, Aggreko, globally to become a powerful player in the energy business. The company now powers a third of Yemen, more than half of Uganda, 25 per cent of Angola and all of Nairobi, Kenya.

Surprise

Despite his achievements, the Scotsman says it was a "total surprise" when the Dubai campus of the Scottish Heriot-Watt University selected him to receive its first honorary doctorate in engineering.

The degree was recently awarded in recognition of Shepherd's outstanding contribution to the international growth of the temporary power industry in the region, and to the development of the economies of both Scotland and the UAE.

"I didn't think people like me would be considered [for an honorary degree]. I was just doing my job," said Shepherd who still lives in Umm Suqeim, Dubai, with his wife of 40 years.

The businessman has retired from Aggreko but does not plan to stop working. He plans to move back to Scotland in January and work with Edinburgh University on a wind turbine project and look at new business opportunities.

Achievments

Professor Steve Chapmen, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: "We are delighted to recognise the achievements of Derek Shepherd, a truly "international Scot", who has contributed so much to the economy and the engineering industry here in the UAE. We are also excited to be celebrating the success and academic achievements of our dedicated students, who are among the brightest and the best in the region."

The honorary degree was presented during the university's graduation ceremony, which marked the graduation of over 130 students. The ceremony marks the first graduation of students from Heriot-Watt University Dubai's undergraduate engineering degree programmes.

Professor Brian Smart, head of the Dubai campus, added: "Having 130 students graduate today is a fantastic achievement and, based on the experience of previous Heriot-Watt graduates, I am sure that they will go on to achieve great success."