Angela Jackson, researcher and programmes director at Enterprising Careers in the University of Strathclyde, has died aged 59 following a late diagnosis of lung cancer.
Until shortly before her death, she continued to work on three projects: as part of a Scottish Government-funded research team on recognising the achievements of young people; as the leader and driving force of the new Unesco-Unitwin network on entrepreneurial education for Africa; and as project manager of the Department for International Development-funded EthCo project, now being developed across Scotland to raise awareness of the United Nations “millennium development goals” with children and young people.
These projects demonstrate the key principles of Angela’s working life: a love of learning and an enquiring mind; a passionate commitment to making a difference for the better; and a strong belief in empowering children and young people.
She left Braidbar Primary to become enterprise education support officer at Careers Scotland, working with Glasgow primary schools on the Schools Enterprise Programme. She moved from there to Enterprising Careers.
Angela’s meeting with Annie Nyirenda from Zambia proved a turning point for her work. Kindred spirits, Annie’s instant response “Angela, this (enterprise education) is just what my country needs!” led Angela to develop the Tteach programme (Teachers Teaching Enterprise to African Children and Communities), which became the basis of her Unesco-Unitwin network.
The fruits of Angela’s work will continue to grow when, in February, colleagues from universities in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania visit Scotland. Sonia Bahri, chief of the section for International Co-operation in Higher Education at Unesco, remembers Angela fondly. ”(We) were impressed by the tremendous warmth and caring that she radiated to all those she encountered, in addition to her intelligence and expertise . this network is testament to her spirit of friendship, solidarity and co- operation across borders,” she says.
Angela dearly loved her family, who were at the centre of her life. She also loved her work, tackling all she did with energy and enthusiasm. She embraced life, finding positives in everything and everybody. Characteristically, her terminal diagnosis prompted her final enterprise project - to publicise the symptoms of the disease, often not recognised in time.
She leaves her husband David, four children Barry, Dianne, Lisa and Paul and their families, and many friends and colleagues who are determined to take her work forward.
