Tag: new Dean

New Dean at Edinburgh Napier driving industrial engagement to align research and education to the Industry 4.0 revolution

University aims to strengthen ties with commercial partners

An academic with a strong interest in information processing in complex systems, artificial intelligence and data science will lead two key Schools at Edinburgh Napier into the post-pandemic era.

Professor Peter Andras has joined the University’s Senior Leadership Team as Dean of the Schools of Computing, and Engineering & the Built Environment.

Earlier this year, it was agreed by the University’s Academic Board that there were clear synergies and benefits in developing a more collaborative relationship between the two Merchiston-based Schools. Michael Greenhalgh took on the role of Interim Dean of both.

Mr Greenhalgh has now joined the University on a permanent basis as the new Director of Strategy & Planning, and will lead on the annual planning processes.

Professor Andras takes the reins at the Schools of Computing and Engineering & the Built Environment, and will continue the work of developing stronger ties across the two Schools. 

The University also aims to strengthen its collaborations with industrial partners, particularly in the context of cyber security, timber and sustainable and smart construction and transport policy, and will continue its strong engagement with professional societies relevant to its educational and research portfolios.

Professor Andras comes to Edinburgh from Keele University, where he headed up the School of Computing and Mathematics, and has a wealth of experience in leadership, education portfolio development and governance roles.  He is an active researcher with significant results in the areas of artificial neural networks, invertebrate neuroscience and modelling of evolution of social institutions.

Prior to starting at Keele seven years ago, he had various academic roles over a 14-year period at Newcastle University, and earlier held teaching posts at universities in the Netherlands and Romania.

He is a member of a number of scientific societies, encompassing computer science, biology, artificial intelligence and neuroscience, and has been involved in setting up three start-up companies and a series of collaborations with industry.

A keen stamp collector, he also has a strong interest in politics, having served as a city councillor in Newcastle and campaigned for investment in renewable energy sources.

Professor Andras said: “The Schools of Computing, and Engineering and the Built Environment, have an excellent reputation in cyber security, timber research and sustainable construction, social informatics, transport policy research, evolutionary optimisation and renewable energy.

“We have increasingly popular programmes and very active and wide-ranging engagement with industry. These provide a fantastic foundation to grow our research strength, educational portfolio and industry engagement in areas aligned with the Industry 4.0 revolution.”

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “We are delighted to welcome Peter to the Senior Leadership Team at Edinburgh Napier as we look forward with excitement to the new academic year and beyond. 

“He brings a wealth of academic experience to what is a key role, and I know he is very much looking forward to building relationships with our staff, students and external stakeholders.”

New Dean aims to strengthen links with industry

New Dean of The Businesss School, Gail Boag

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.”