A PIONEERING Droitwich scientist has been made an honorary Russian for his work with space science.

Professor Bob Stone, from Park Way, was made an honorary Cossack for his help in bringing the technology to the former Soviet Republic.

The University of Birmingham professor introduced Virtual Reality (VR) to the Cosmonaut Training Programme by creating a VR model of the MIR Space Station.

Professor Stone, from the University of Birmingham's Department of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering was delighted.

"To be following in the footsteps of former Honorary Cossacks such as Winston Churchill is a great honour," he said.

Impressive

"The ceremony was deeply impressive, with dancing, singing and speeches as well as numerous toasts.

"My thanks must go to Professor Shukshunov - Chairman of the IHEAS (International Higher Education Academy of Sciences) - who proposed my Honorary Cossackship!'

The word Cossack derives from the Turkish word, "kazak" which means "free man" or "adventurer."

The Cossacks were a sub-ethnic group of Russians who lived from the 15th to the early 20th century.

Anyone could join the group, if the Cossacks deemed him a worthy warrior.

But he first had to undergo a bizarre initiation ceremony, which involved being whipped three times, drinking a third of a flagon of vodka and swimming naked in an icy river.

Professor Stone explained that the whipping signifies the Cossack's ability to withstand pain and the vodka-drinking demonstrates powers of endurance.

Unique

On his visit in August, Bob also gave lectures, appeared in a TV and radio Press conference and was shown signing a unique agreement between Birmingham University's School of Engineering, the Russian Centre for Simulator Construction and the South Russia State Technical University.

The agreement allows staff, postgraduate and postdoctoral students to take part in exchanges and work together on scientific research in the area of Virtual Reality and interactive multimedia.

Bob was previously honoured by the Russians in the 1990s, with a rare appointment to the status of IHEAS Academician.