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Dr Anna Fenge has been appointed as Executive Dean of Heriot-Watt's new Global College, the University's sixth academic School.
The Global College brings together existing academic pathways and pre-sessional English provision across Dubai, Malaysia and Scotland, and enables the University to strengthen its academic excellence and extend its offering across Scotland and globally. In its first phase the College is launching a range of Degree Accelerator Foundation and Pre-Masters programmes enabling entry into and through the College to an extensive range of programmes across all academic schools. In the longer term the College will open even more diverse opportunities for bridging routes online, on campus and with partners and help further nurture the global mobility of students.
Heriot-Watt Vice-Principal and Provost, Professor Mark Biggs said: “I am delighted to welcome Anna into this key leadership role within Heriot-Watt.
“Anna has joined us at this exciting time for our global University. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing exceptional quality pathway programmes both in the UK and internationally. She will also ensure that collaboration with other academic schools is at the heart of our development success.”
Educated at the University of Edinburgh, and with a doctorate from the University of Stirling, Dr Fenge's understanding and commitment to Scottish Higher Education has been a significant driver in her career.
After taking on a role at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre (ISC), first as Head of English and then Head of Centre, she became an International Education partnership specialist. This involved setting up new ISC's with Durham University and most recently with the University of Aberdeen, to deliver Foundation, Pre-Masters and English Language programmes to enable international students to fulfil their potential and progress to their chosen degree and university.
As a Regional Director, Dr Fenge had accountability for the ISC partnerships at seven universities across the UK.
Her work in this sphere included particular focus on Teaching Learning and Assessment, Academic Quality and Curriculum Design, Student Experience, Recruitment and Marketing, Compliance and Safeguarding.
Dr Fenge said she is looking forward to her latest challenge, adding: “I am so delighted to take up this role. I feel as though I have been preparing for it all my life, and now here it is. The chance to make a genuine difference to students, across the Global College locations. There are so many international students who are so close to being able to take up a Heriot-Watt degree place – it's a privilege to be able to support them academically to do just that.”
Heriot-Watt Global Chief Operating Officer, Lucy Everest added: “Under Anna's leadership the Global College will no doubt grow to become a true centre of excellence in learning and teaching, on-campus and online for our global student community.
"It will not only provide a springboard for the development of new student pathways, but it will also open a world of progression opportunities to those students who previously may not have thought it possible to be a part of our global One Watt community.”