Industry guests have been given a preview of a new cyber security centre which will allow companies to train staff to combat potentially crippling attacks. The SOCLAB centre at Edinburgh Napier’s Cyber Academy will let workers get to grips with threats like ransomware, which saw NHS systems infected with malicious software last year, in a safe and isolated environment. Continue reading SOCLAB set to counter cyber security threats
AN Edinburgh Napier academic is leading a global study into the long-term health of elite athletes. Dr Debbie Palmer, an associate professor and researcher in sports injury and illness prevention, is fronting the huge project launched today by the World Olympians Association. Continue reading Olympian task for Debbie: Napier academic to lead elite athlete study
Masters students from Edinburgh Napier University shone a spotlight on their skills recently by illuminating a renovated farmhouse for a charity event. Continue reading Napier Design students provide the spotlight at Bridgend charity launch
More than 150 bright young minds from across Edinburgh and the Lothians came together last week to celebrate entrepreneurial success. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier welcomes young entrepreneurs at awards ceremony
Students from Edinburgh Napier are celebrating success after winning an award for their hard work in bringing together a Scotland-wide event. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier students bring home award for effective conference delivery
ACADEMICS and graduates have joined forces to create a transportation device which will give children with complex healthcare needs a new sense of freedom and independence. Continue reading SOLUTION: from skateboard to innovative healthcare aid
SALES stars of the future went head to head in a prestigious national competition at Edinburgh Napier University. Students from all over the UK travelled to the Craiglockhart-based Business School to test their nerve and skill in the Gartner-sponsored first UK Universities Sales Competition. Continue reading National contest spotlights rising sales stars
Students from Edinburgh Napier have teamed up with colleagues from America’s elite Harvard University to explore the challenge of creating the sustainable communities of the future. The two groups joined forces for a learning week which focused on the use of pre-manufactured timber construction systems. Continue reading Branching Out: transatlantic taskforce seeks timber design solutions
University becomes first in Scotland to receive CIEEM accreditation
Edinburgh Napier is celebrating recognition at the forefront of wildlife and conservation teaching and research after becoming the first university in Scotland to receive accreditation from a leading professional body. Continue reading Scottish first for Edinburgh Napier biologists
AN inspirational leader and manager with a long record of success in both the public and private sectors has taken charge of Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School. Gail Boag takes on the role of Dean following seven years with BT which saw her become a regional director and member of the BT Scotland Board.
She comes to the University’s Craiglockhart-based Business School with a wealth of experience, having worked with a wide range of organisations from small start-ups to global corporations.
The new Dean aims to build the School’s academic reputation, strengthen commercial relationships and improve student experience. Her vision also includes developing the international profile of the School, which offers the chance to gain a recognised business degree from anywhere in the world via its Global Online programmes.
Mrs Boag, 48, who studied at the university when it was Napier College in the 80s, said: “It’s unusual for someone with my business background to take up a role as Dean but I like the idea of helping young people achieve their potential and, after many years building my skills and experience, Higher Education is a sector which interests me and where I know I can make a difference.
“This is a really interesting time for the sector, which has been experiencing a period of unprecedented change, with increasing student demand, new providers emerging, new learning models, increased globalisation and a reduction in the availability of national funding.
“While these changes bring their challenges, they also bring significant opportunities and my commercial background is ideal to tackle these head on and grasp each opportunity.”
Mrs Boag said Edinburgh Napier was “ambitious and forward thinking” and “produced graduates with critical thinking skills and business connections.”
“I aim to provide a strategy which will enable us to work with industry to help create the workforce of the future in a Business School renowned for high quality programmes and research which drives improvements in business practice.
“We want to be first choice for students, and the partner of choice for commercial activities. Our learning and teaching has to prepare students for the modern workplace, developing the skills demanded in not only today’s roles but those that will exist in five or ten years’ time.”
The programmes delivered to the Business School’s 8000 students include accountancy, finance, law, international business, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, tourism and languages.
The School is also at the heart of the University’s Transnational education programmes, which give international students, particularly in the Far East, the chance to study for a degree awarded by Edinburgh Napier and delivered in collaboration with an overseas partner without leaving their home country.
The new Dean’s own business experience spans commercial management, sales, large-scale contract management and business development in large global organisations, as well as setting up, running and then selling her own health education publishing venture.
With more than 25 years’ experience working in public, private and third sector organisations managing end to end businesses, fostering collaboration and driving successful strategies for income generation and sustainable growth, the mother-of-two’s career has also included two spells at BT 15 years apart, the second of which saw her take responsibility for business and public sector clients across Scotland.
However, the Stirling University graduate has kept in touch with Higher Education through voluntary student mentoring roles at both Stirling Business School and Roehampton University. She also acted as Executive Sponsor for the MBA programme at Strathclyde Business School.
Mrs Boag said: “In my new role, I will be listening to and learning from our internal and external stakeholders. I will also be listening closely to the voices of our students through channels like the National Student Survey with the aim of providing them with an outstanding student experience.”
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “I believe Gail will provide the Business School with great leadership, industry insight and strong commercial awareness as she builds on the success of the School to date to deliver an excellent student experience, and support our academic community to thrive.”
