A LEADING University of Worcester chief has been appointed a visiting professor at the UK’s largest academic institution and a world pioneer in distance learning.
Ross Renton, Pro Vice Chancellor at the university, has been handed the honour by the Open University and will now act as an external advisor to the University and co-operate with staff in the centre for access, participation and success in seminar series and other activity.
“I am honoured to be appointed to this role at the largest university in the UK, which has been at the vanguard of transforming lives through innovation in education for over 50 years,” he said.
Ross has held a number of advisory roles, including with the Office for Students as the designated Widening Participation (WP) Expert and main panel member of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) Subject Pilot.
He is regularly invited to deliver keynote speeches, sit on professional panels, write articles and blogs and deliver guest lectures.
Ross is currently the Vice-Chair and Trustee for the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE), an international education charity, and Chair of the Widening Participation Network for GuildHE.
Professor David Green CBE, the University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, welcomed the appointment.
“His experience, expertise and innovative spirit will be very valuable for the Open University and its many students.
“Ross continues to play a key role in the leadership at Worcester, where he contributes so much to so many schemes which build on the high quality, inclusive educational work for which Worcester is so well-known.”
Dr Liz Marr, pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) at the Open University, added: “Ross and I have very similar roles and we have worked at the forefront of innovation in student experience, satisfaction and success for many years.
“I know we are both passionate about widening access to higher education and lifelong learning. There is much we can learn from each other and I am looking forward to working closely with Ross.”
