BOURNEMOUTH’S AECC University College has announced the appointment of a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Kevin McGhee joins the University College from Bournemouth University, where he currently holds the role of Professor of Health Sciences and Deputy Dean for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

In this role, he is responsible for six departments including overseeing the educational provision within the faculty, the student experience of nearly 4,600 students on-campus and quality assurance for a suite of programmes.

Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of AECC University College said: “Kevin is an accomplished academic who shares our values of commitment to excellence and person-centredness and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our community.

"He joins us at an exciting point in our journey as a specialist health sciences university, having acquired an additional campus this year and with a review of the corporate strategy and new projects under way which will transform the organisation."

Professor McGhee has a PhD in Psychiatric Genetics from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland. He spent four years at the University of Edinburgh as a post-doctoral research fellow in the departments of Psychiatry/Medical Genetics, Psychology and briefly as a teaching fellow in the School of Nursing.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining AECC University College as Deputy Vice-Chancellor to contribute to its development and growth as a specialist institute in Health Sciences.

"In these unique times, the higher education sector must reflect on finding ways to respond to national workforce needs, develop creative methods of teaching and support student and staff wellbeing. I look forward to working with the staff and students of the University community and with regional, national and international partners to enhance our educational offering and research provision."