Leading Educationalist, Michael Kerrison, Joins University of London International Programmes

Michael Kerrison, a leading international developer of higher education and professional programmes, has been appointed by the University of London International Programmes as Director of Academic Development.

(PRWEB UK) 1 December 2011

Michael Kerrison, a leading international developer of higher education and professional programmes, has been appointed by the University of London International Programmes as Director of Academic Development.

The role, which Michael takes up in February 2012, follows a successful three-year appointment as Director of Education with the College of Estate Management, which is a leading provider of supported distance learning for real estate and construction professionals. The College offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in more than 100 countries worldwide and has done so for more than 90-years.

Michael has been central to a number of innovations at the College of Estate Management. This includes his instrumental role in the College's application for Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP), in addition to developing the curricula of the College's undergraduate and postgraduate programmes into a more flexible and modular structure. He has also been responsible for the introduction of an online model of tuition through the College's virtual learning environment.

With more than 20-years experience in education, Michael started his career with KPMG, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. His experience in education includes 14- years with Edinburgh-based, Heriot-Watt University. As Director of the Heriot-Watt Management Programme, Michael was responsible for the successful design, development and management of a suite of international undergraduate degree programmes, designed for distance learning, all within the subject areas of finance, accountancy and business. During his time at Heriot-Watt, Michael also established a framework for the approval of academic learning partners.

Michael was also employed by the ifs School of Finance, formerly known as the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB), where he played a significant role in securing TDAP, making ifs the most recent private provider to be granted this status. Michael also led educational teams responsible for recruiting and developing more than 300 academic consultants and tutors. At the School, he was also responsible for developing learning materials across a range of media and technologies, including a bespoke virtual learning environment, and managing and developing collaborative relationships both within the UK and internationally.

Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the University of London International Programmes, said: “We are delighted that Michael will be contributing to the next phase of growth for the International Programmes.”

He added: “We continue to invest in programme development and innovation at the International Programmes, in order to retain our position as a world market-leader in flexible and distance learning. Michael's vast experience in this field, coupled with his business background, will prove invaluable to us as we continue to expand our range of programmes.”

Speaking of his new appointment with the International Programmes, Michael said: “I am looking forward to making a positive contribution towards the ongoing success of the International Programmes, internationally renowned for providing world-wide access to awards of the University of London.”

Michael, holder of a First Class MA in Accountancy and Finance, from the University of Dundee, is experienced in teaching and has contributed towards the work of a number of academic bodies, as well as being widely published within his field.

Notes for Editors

Picture caption: Michael Kerrison, the new Director of Academic Development, University of London International Programmes.

• The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the UK. Its founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.
• In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth Charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System, which became known as the University of London International Programmes from 1 August 2010.
• The University of London International Programmes is the world's oldest provider of degrees through distance and flexible learning.
• The International Programmes has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education – all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849 and 1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining Royal Charters to award their own degrees.
• Today, the University of London International Programmes is a unique global network of more than 52,000 students in over 190 countries, on 100+ study programmes.
• Famous former students and alumni include seven Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins; Professor Ronald Coase; Wole Soyinka; Derek Walcott; former President Nelson Mandela; joint-winner Charles Kao; and joint-winner Dr Rolph Payet, currently Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles.

# # #

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/12/prweb9002801.htm