Taylor’s appoints new VC

PROF Barry Winn (pic) is the new vice-chancellor and president at Taylor’s University.

With nearly four decades of expertise in higher education leadership, research and academic development, he has set his sights on bringing the varsity to greater heights.

“I will ensure we continue to aim high to allow Taylor’s to reach its full potential and become a global leader in progressive and innovative teaching, research, and knowledge transfer.

“The vision over the next decade is to position Taylor’s as a world-leading institution, equipped to address the challenges of the modern world.

“To achieve this, my leadership will prioritise creating a positive campus environment, making Taylor’s the preferred institution for a diverse community of students and staff,” he said in a press release dated Jan 22.

Welcoming the new appointee to the institution, Taylor’s Education Group executive chairman Datuk Loy Teik Ngan said Prof Winn’s experience and leadership resonate with the varsity’s commitment to fostering excellence in education.

“We eagerly anticipate the transformative impact that he will usher in, propelling Taylor’s University to new heights of success and innovation,” he said.

Prof Winn’s higher education leadership had seen him assume the role of vice-chancellor at Sohar University in Oman from 2015 to 2022.

During that time, the university grew its student body to 7,000, along with a dedicated academic staff of 180.

Prof Winn previously held key positions at institutions in the United Kingdom, such as the University of Bradford, where he served as the deputy vice-chancellor for Academic Development, and the University of Hull, where he was the pro vice-chancellor for Research and Enterprise.

His earlier roles included the School of Life Sciences dean at the University of Bradford.

Prof Winn’s commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of optics and vision science can be seen in his extensive list of publications, which includes over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and three book chapters.

He has also contributed to academic standards through his role as a reviewer for the Quality Assurance Agency in the UK and the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority.

Furthermore, he has served as an external examiner for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes at several universities worldwide.

His standing in the research community is underscored by prestigious memberships, including being a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (2003) and the American Academy of Optometry (2001).

Prof Winn’s role as a Medical Research Council advisory board member and association with several global charitable foundations highlight his dedication to advancing research in health and life sciences.