THE University of the West of Scotland has announced the appointment of Professor Ian Allison as its new Dean of the School of Engineering and Computing.

Mr Allison, who will take up the post in February, has over 20 years' experience working in the higher education sector.

He joins the university, which has its headquarters in Paisley, from his current post as Head of the School of Computing Science and Digital Media at Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen.

After graduating with a degree in Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Mr Allison spent 10 years working in the technology and finance sectors as a software engineer and project manager.

In the early 1990s he joined Nottingham Trent University as a senior lecturer, successfully leading its Information Systems group, before becoming a principal lecturer with responsibility for teaching quality and academic standards.

Professor Craig Mahoney, principal of UWS, said: "Ian will be joining his colleagues in the newly created School of Engineering and Computing at a time of ambitious targets for growth.

"With intentions to more than double university income over the next seven years, Ian's appointment will be central in leading, not only a culture change, but enterprising the university and ensuring that the student learning experience will be given a new and enhanced momentum."