23/03/2025
In Loving Memory of Professor Alastair M Morrison.................
🌹🌺🌸🌹🌺🌸🌹🌺🌸🌹🌺🌸🌹🌺🌸🌹🌺🌸
15 March 2025 💔 will be etched ...FOREVER...in our memories as we lost Alastair M Morrison on this day. I am including "M" in his name, as he always insisted on honoring his Scottish name - McClean—a name that was deeply meaningful to him.
💔The silence from me, in the face of so many sympathy messages, has eventually been noticed. Those close to me have indeed questioned my silence vis a vis the outpouring of mourning emails and social media tributes.
To be honest, his passing struck me so deeply, so personally, that it took almost a full week to even begin gather the shattered pieces of my thoughts and accept the profound emptiness his absence has created.
Since the past few months, not a single day passed without speaking to him; our conversations were a part of my daily life. We exchanged messages, audio notes, and pictures several times a day—right up until the final weeks when he was hospitalised.
We had a last conversation few weeks ago and at that time, I was not aware that I will never hear his voice again. He shared his future plans and told me that once he is discharged from the hospital towards (end of March), we will sit down together over a Wechat call and execute all the plans.
Alastair was more than just a colleague; he was my mentor, my guide, my boss, my colleague and my well-wisher. Our journey together began over a decade ago when he first reached out to me while I was in Nigeria, inviting me to join ITSA. That simple invitation marked the beginning of an extraordinary bond. My first task as ITSA’s Relationship Director—sending communications to Editorial Advisory Board members, Editorial Review Board members, and IJTC theme editors—was my first direct interaction with him. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of a partnership built on trust, respect, and an unshakable commitment to academia and collaboration.
Over time, Alastair became not only my mentor but also my confidant. We worked on research projects together, co-authored papers, and shared a deep understanding—one that made our collaboration effortless, almost instinctive. With every new responsibility he entrusted to me at ITSA—handling social media, growing the membership program, and serving as Vice President—I felt his unwavering confidence in me.
Our daily interactions, filled with Wechat audio calls, emails, and shared videos, wove a tapestry of deep camaraderie. These are now echoes of a past that I wish I could relive. He was a constant presence, a supportive force, and a creative whirlwind, particularly when it came to conference campaigns.
Alastair was obsessed with the ITSA conference campaigns, meticulously designing every detail, ensuring every piece fit perfectly—just like the ITSA puzzle he created. Today, we will add one more piece to that puzzle in his honor—the Alastair Morrison Trinergy Programme.
Since the past few months, my day started with his mails and messages and ended with his audios and instructions on WeChat. The first few rows of my inbox were always filled with Alastair mails. Itsa-ijtc was his passion and hence, he used to overwhelm me with so many mails and messages and audios - each demanding my immediate attention. I would often get frustrated and angry, but today, I long for just one more email, one more message, one more conversation with him.
Alastair held a special fondness for my social media team—Pinaz, Shem, Ting Yu Xue, Rosa, and Sandy. He consistently acknowledged their contributions, recognizing their role in ITSA’s resurgence. His praise for their work, which led to a five-fold increase in our followers within two years, underscored his appreciation for their dedication. He saw potential where others saw challenges, and he nurtured it with his guidance and encouragement.
The silence left by his absence is deafening. Each day, I find myself expecting his familiar audio messages or emails, a poignant reminder of his constant presence. Even his occasional scolding and the flurry of emails, which once seemed overwhelming, are now deeply missed. Alastair is gone, yet his presence lingers in every email I reread, every project I take on, and every initiative we carry forward. His voice may be silent, but his impact will continue to resonate at ITSA.
ITSA and IJTC have lost their captain. But we will not let his legacy fade.
We will continue to navigate this ship, upholding his vision, honoring his philosophy, and ensuring that ITSA thrives just as he always dreamed it would.
· We will carry forward his unfinished tasks.
· We will bring his dream plan to life.
· We will ensure that his carefully crafted action plan is executed with the same passion and precision he instilled in us.
The attached picture is a priceless and precious piece of our moment with Tiger Bihu WuXinran LehtoTeresa Aguiar and me, Vanessa GB
Rest in peace, dear Alastair. You may have left this world, but I can feel your presence.
I know that you will continue to watch over ITSA and guide us.
🌹🌺🌸We love you Alastair M Morrison🌹🌺🌸
