Wellington Educationalist Recognised by International Body

Wellington Educationalist Recognised by International Education Body

Dr Linda Sissons, CNZM and Chief Executive of the Wellington Institute of Technology has been named Chair of the Board of Governors by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

Dr Sissons has headed up the Wellington Institute of Technology since 1999 and been a member of the Board of Governors on the Commonwealth of Learning since 2008. She has held a number of influential education posts within New Zealand including being a Commissioner on the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission; Chair of the Metro Group of ITPs from 2009 to 2011; and representing education interests on numerous business and industry bodies including the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce; the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation; and the Hutt City Council’s Economic Development Advisory Group.

“As Chief Executive of WelTec, Dr Sissons is leading innovations in skills development and forging partnerships with institutions in developing countries,” said Professor Asha Kanwar, COL’s President and C.E.O. “As head of a large educational institution, she understands the reality of organisational challenges and I look forward to working with her to take COL to the next level.”

The Commonwealth of Learning’s core business is open and distance learning. The key priorities for the New Zealand Government in relation to COL while Linda Sissons was on the Board were to ensure a proportionate spend of COL’s budget in the Pacific region and to see an increase in COL’s support for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills development initiatives in the Pacific.

“I am very pleased to accept this role as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning to assist this remarkable organisation which, despite its small size, enjoys the commitment of countries throughout the Commonwealth and punches well above its weight,” said Linda Sissons.

View the Commonwealth of Learning news release here:
http://www.col.org/news/current/Pages/2014-07-news.aspx

ENDS

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