Heriot-Watt fills new deputy vice principal role

Professor Bryn Jones has been appointed deputy vice principal of Heriot-Watt University, which is located in Dubai.

“I am pleased and excited to be joining the Heriot-Watt family, and I am enthused by the university’s mission and vision,” Jones said. “I hope to contribute to the success of the Dubai campus and the wider university and I look forward to working with colleagues from across Heriot-Watt. I bring with me experience of working for Newcastle University, in both Newcastle and Singapore, and have worked with partners from around the world to deliver innovation and educational excellence.”

Jones will take on the new role in September 2016 and will work to oversee in-country academic activities, schedule and manage any provisions at the university’s Dubai campus, safeguarding a positive student experience and help in recruitment of quality students, in addition to growing contacts outside of the university and supervising the quality of life on campus. Jones’ role will affect the entire campus as he teaches in areas of postgraduate programs and innovation.

“Bryn’s experience in academic operations, internationalization and development, as well as his own teaching and research expertise, make him an ideal choice for this position,” Professor Richard Williams, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said. “He will not only be working to support and develop our Dubai campus, its students and staff, but will also bring his skills in research and teaching to the University as a whole. We are delighted that he will be joining us.”

Jones previously served as dean of postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering at Newcastle University, in addition to serving as the first head of academic operations at Newcastle University International Singapore (NUIS). His role is newly created with Heriot-Watt.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Jones to our Dubai team,” Professor Ammar Kaka, vice principal for Dubai, said. “We have recently celebrated 10 years of successful operations of the University at the Dubai campus, and we continue to develop our operations in line with the university’s strategic lead in transnational education and specialist research which meets the challenges of society.”