OWN CORRESPONDENT
This was in recognition of his immense contribution to engineering and the built environment, as well as his philanthropic initiatives, implemented through the Ove Arup Foundation, which made the announcement in a media release.
Now 91, Sir Jack was unable to attend the ceremony himself, but recorded his address for the audience from his home in London.
He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Wits in 1948. Probably the pinnacle of his career was leading the team that solved the engineering challenges on the Sydney Opera House’s now iconic roof structure.
Acknowledgements of his achievements were many – from a knighthood in 1989, to numerous medals and awards by various engineering and architectural associations and even the Zunz lecture series at the University of Technology Sydney, named in his honour.
