Change is afoot at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) as a new head honcho prepares to step into the fray.
The university has announced that Professor James Miller will be at the helm from November, 1, 2022.
He will take over from Professor Craig Mahoney, who was in the job for eight years before he left to become vice-chancellor at the University of Law in November 2021.
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The former deputy vice-chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, a position he had held since 2015, has an extensive track-record in the education sector, particularly in relation to medical studies.
His previous roles include director of the Open University in Scotland and chief executive of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
He began his career as a clinical nurse, a role he held for 10 years before going on to become quality facilitator and deputy director of Nursing for West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust in 1992.
He subsequently held the role of divisional general manager in South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust from 2001 to 2005, later being appointed as chief executive of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He entered higher education management as director of the Open University in Scotland in August 2010 before taking up his current role at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Professor Miller has an MBA from Edinburgh Napier University, a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and is an alumnus of Harvard University’s Institute of Education Management.
He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a member of the Institute of Directors, and was a founder member of the British Council’s Digital Advisory Board.
He will have overall responsibility for the management and operation of UWS.
Professor Miller, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the next Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of Scotland. It is a great privilege to join the team at such an important time for the University and higher education more widely.
“The University’s enviable record on widening participation has seen it transform the lives of thousands of students as well as the economic and social wellbeing of the communities it serves in Scotland, the UK and globally. Our focus will be to build on the achievements of staff and students in taking the University into the next exciting phase of its history.”
The University’s Court oversaw the appointment of the new Principal and Vice-Chancellor following an extensive recruitment and selection process, which included student and staff representatives.
UWS Chair of Court, Kate Allum, said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce Professor James Miller’s appointment to this important role, which also marks a momentous point in UWS’s history.
“As we work to deliver our ambitious strategic vision for the University and continue to provide a high-quality teaching and learning experience for our amazing students, I look forward to working alongside Professor Miller whose values-based leadership will ensure our wonderful institution continues to go from strength-to-strength.”
UWS has campuses in Paisley, Ayr, Lanarkshire, Dumfries, and London.
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