Dean of Academic Studies
As a senior academic who has been a Professor at three British Universities and President of three British Professional bodies including being involved in their Education Committees I understand something about both academic and professional higher education I can confirm that EThames has all the ingredients to make it a suitable place to study to gain an undergraduate and/or post graduate degree awarded by a recognised British university or qualification of a British professional body.
As Dean of Academic Studies I have a number of responsibilities. One is to negotiate from Academic and Professional Institutions in the United Kingdom the most appropriate courses available which are the best as far as a person's future employment and career prospects are concerned. Each of these will provide a more than adequate basis to gain secure employment and ensure the continuing development of a career which will reward EThames alumni with job satisfaction as well as an excellent remuneration
Another of my responsibilities is to make certain that the student is provided with sufficient personal help and mentoring to maximise progress and minimise failure. Because of this the results of EThames students have been excellent. To ensure this our lecturers go through a rigorous selection process which includes their making trial presentations and facing a probation period Thus as well as having appropriate knowledge, as shown by their professional qualification, they must have a high standard of communication skills to make the student's learning experience interesting.
Although overseas students will find that coming to another country is exciting and full of opportunity the unknown can also be daunting and bewildering. To reduce students and their families worries in this respect all the staff at EThames, both teaching and administrative, will become people whom you will soon get to know – and you will find that we all work as a team, as I do with the Principal, in being very caring about EThames students' welfare. Thus another of my responsibilities is to make sure that our students settle down as easily and quickly as possible. Therefore an induction programme has been devised to enable new arrivals understand the environment of the country they are about to study in. Building upon this all students are invited to attend free programmes on study skills, including report writing and how to tackle case studies and computer and IT basics over their first six weeks at EThames.
One major advantage of our location is that living expenses are cheaper than those in central London. Yet using the two nearby overground rail and underground stations one can reach the City of London in well under 20 minutes.
Finally I look forward to addressing and chatting with you in the company of the Principal shortly after you arrive. But, and more importantly to me over your period of study I will have the satisfaction of watching your intellect grow and seeing you succeed and graduate at one of our exciting and colourful graduation days. It will be this which will confirm to both of us that your investment of time, effort and money studying at EThames has been well rewarded – as it will for the years to come as the educational experience you have gained continually enhances your career.
Mike Harvey
BSc(Econ) MSc FCCA FCIS FRSA FCGI FCMI MCIM
Professor Emeritus London Guildhall University
Dean of Academic Studies