Professor Nigel Seaton took up his post as the new Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abertay Dundee today. Professor Seaton, who was appointed in May, was welcomed to the University this morning by Nigel Hawkins, Chair of Court, and William Mohieddeen, President of the Students' Association.
Professor Seaton said: “It is an honour to be appointed Principal at the University of Abertay Dundee, and a pleasure to be joining the Abertay family today. This is a university with much to be proud of and I look forward to working with colleagues, the Court and our students, to lead the university to even greater success in the future.”
Mr Nigel Hawkins, Chair of Court, said: “Professor Seaton brings a depth and wealth of experience and personal qualities to his new role. The University Court is looking forward to working with him as he assumes the leadership of the University and takes Abertay forward as a vibrant and independent university making an outstanding contribution to the local community and to Scotland and as a highly respected player nationally and internationally.
“Court has every confidence in Professor Seaton’s ability to engage with academic and support staff and with our student community in building on the firm foundations here at Abertay and in delivering on our exciting shared vision for the future.
(ENDS)
Note for picture editors: Attached image shows (left to right) William Mohieddeen, president of UADSA (University of Abertay Dundee Students’ Association); Professor Nigel Seaton, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and Nigel Hawkins, Chair of Court (governing body of Abertay).
Notes for editors:
Professor Seaton was previously Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey and a former Vice-Principal of the University of Edinburgh. He graduated BSc (Honours) in chemical engineering at the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and gained an MSE and PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 1986. He then worked as a research engineer with Atkins Research and Development and BP.
From 1989 to 1997 he was lecturer in chemical engineering at the University of Cambridge and fellow, tutor and Director of Studies in Chemical Engineering and Natural Sciences at Clare College. He was visiting Professor, School of Chemical Engineering at Cornell University 1996-97. From 1998 to 2008 at the University of Edinburgh he was firstly Head of the School of Chemical Engineering becoming Head of the Division of Engineering and then Head of the Institute for Materials and Processes.
From 2003 to 2007 he was Dean of Undergraduate Studies, College of Science and Engineering. He then became Assistant Principal (Taught Programme Development) and later Vice-Principal (Academic). In 2008 he moved to the University of Surrey firstly as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) and then as Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Professor Seaton (51) was born in Falkirk and grew up in and around Lintlithgow. He is married with three grown-up children.
