Following a formal internal recruitment process and consultation with academic members of Senate‚ the Chair of Council has approved the appointment of Professor Mark Spearing as the new Pro Vice–Chancellor (International). He will take up his position on 1 May 2011.
Mark will join the University Executive Group and will provide senior academic leadership for the University’s international strategy. This will include providing leadership in the further development of the University’s worldwide partnerships and international presence‚ the internationalisation of the student experience at Southampton and consolidation of our reputation and success in the international markets for research and education.
Mark is currently the Head of Engineering Sciences in the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment‚ having previously been Deputy Head of School (Research). Mark joined the University from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he led a division in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. While at MIT Mark was involved in two large institutional international collaborations: the Singapore-MIT Alliance and the Cambridge-MIT Institute, both of which involved significant research partnerships and educational exchange programmes.
On his appointment Mark commented: “Southampton is a place of significant institutional ambition across its entire discipline base. I am excited by the opportunity to make a real difference in this new leadership role as well as to develop a coherent and strategic approach to internationalisation in all its forms.”
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Don Nutbeam, said: “This is an important appointment for the University, and I am delighted we have secured someone of Professor Spearing’s calibre and experience. He will bring a strong international perspective and leadership to Southampton, shaping our crucial strategy of internationalisation.”