At the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) graduation ceremony on 28 November 2024, Mark Kobine received a Principal’s medal from ECA Principal Professor Juan Cruz.
Mark, a Specialist Technician in Digital Making, was nominated by his colleagues in ECA’s Information Technology and Technical Services Team (ITTS) and Design Informatics.
The University of Edinburgh Principal’s Medals are awarded yearly and are one of the most important ways in which the University recognises professional services, academic colleagues or students who have made outstanding contributions to both the University and wider communities.
As a digital making specialist technician with a history of award winning creative work, Mark provides support to a large number of students and staff within Design Informatics and beyond in areas such as of 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, fabrication, project design work, and event, workshop and exhibition planning, set-up and delivery.
He said: "This award is great recognition for all the ECA technicians who do so much for so many across the school, University and wider community. It is testament to their expertise across disciplines and acknowledgement of their value and creativity. I would like to dedicate this award to all those technicians who have supported, encouraged and inspired myself both as student and colleague over many years.
"The job is an ever shifting mix of designing, making, teaching and communicating ideas in a mix of data, culture, software, material, electronics and creativity. It’s rarely the same, always challenging and never dull."
And the part of the job he enjoys the most? "That point in the year when the students realise how far they have come."
Anthony Middleton, Digital Making Technical Manager and Mark’s line manager, said: “For more than eight years, the sole specialist technician Mark Kobine has consistently put in a superhuman effort to make the impossible possible for the Design Informatics interdisciplinary research institute and Inspace [the adjoining exhibition space and hub].
“The impact of his direct contributions cannot be overstated in areas of learning and teaching, technical support, event support, exhibition support and numerous others. Design Informatics has an over-sized positive reputational impact, a large and numerous research footprint and a wide spanning reach of community interests (public, private, cultural and civic) alongside excellent teaching – and at the heart of much of this has been Mark.”
In recognising Mark’s achievement Juan said: “It is always gratifying to see our staff recognised for their achievements. Mark richly deserves this honour and it is especially rewarding to see a member of our unique technical community recognised for the amazing work they do and facilitate day in and day out with our students and researchers.”
At the same ceremony, the British sculptor and contemporary visual artist Hew Locke (RA) and was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor honoris causa.
