News Article

New CNA-Q president welcomes employees, joins orientation


9/1/2010 10:24:00 AM


Dr. Ken MacLeod, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar’s (CNA-Q) new president, greeted employees arriving last week for the start of the new academic year. Recently hired to step into the role of head administrator of College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Middle East campus, MacLeod is also going through the orientation process with the group of 30 new staff. He spoke during an orientation event about the highs and lows of moving overseas to work at an international campus.

“College of the North Atlantic was invited by the State of Qatar to establish this college to Canadian standards, and this amazing campus is on the global radar for its state- of-the-art facilities and industry responsive programming. You’ve come a long way to join us at CNA-Q, and you will be an integral part of moving the campus forward over the next three years to help us realize the collective vision of the State of Qatar and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,” MacLeod shared with the crowd.

“People are very happy here and they keep coming back; we provide Canadians not only teaching opportunities, but research and professional development opportunities and potential for great personal and professional growth.”

MacLeod, who hails from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, has had a prolific career in education, including teaching and administrative positions at the K-12, college, and university levels, as well as involvement in program design and development, international partnership development, community affairs, and technology and oil and gas training. He has sat on panels and boards such as the Canadian Association of University Continuing Education, the International Society of Technical Educators, the Canadian Bureau for International Education, the Canadian Labour Force Development Board, and Canadian Advanced Network and Research for Industry and Education, among others.

MacLeod holds a Ph.D. in Computing Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Education from Dalhousie University in Halifax, and a Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

He began a career in teaching at Halifax’s Sir John A. MacDonald High School and forayed into curriculum development and training services in private industry, then served as coordinator of the first co-operative education program in the secondary school system in Nova Scotia. He later re-entered the post-secondary arena, serving in the roles of professor, program director, and dean at institutions such as Cape Breton University and Memorial University, while continuing involvement with industry.

MacLeod is no stranger to international work and has forged significant inroads in the field of global education throughout his career. Most recently, he has served as Director, International Programs and Partnerships with Cape Breton University, with a notable role in establishing the Canadian International College in Cairo, Egypt.

The experience and dedication to Canadian education at home and abroad makes him an ideal choice to lead CNA-Q as it continues to advance, says Greg Chaytor, VP of the Qatar Project.

“The State of Qatar, with their vast resources, could have chosen any post-secondary institution in the world to build their technical college. Ultimately they chose College of the North Atlantic for three core reasons: they wanted a Canadian post-secondary education model – one with accredited and industry-driven programming that meets the needs of the labour market; they also noted the similarities of both regions and the fact that both historically lived from the sea and have since diversified into the oil and gas industry; and third, they were greatly inspired by the attention to relationships that is fundamental to CNA’s mandate in delivering accessible, quality education to learners. They felt an affinity with us and felt we could deliver a comprehensive college of technology that meets their vision,” says Chaytor.

“Dr. MacLeod, coming from an island culture and bringing comprehensive experience in Canadian education at home and abroad, exemplifies the qualities we seek in a leader to help us grow in keeping with that vision.”

Indeed, MacLeod says CNA-Q is in large part a reflection of CNA – Newfoundland and Labrador’s public college. In addition to CNA’s full-time offerings, programs have been introduced at CNA-Q to meet the needs of the State of Qatar such as Pharmacy Technician, Banking, and Security training.

“CNA-Q, like CNA in Newfoundland and Labrador, is responsive to labour markets in its region – we are here to help Qataris create the future they want and build the country that meets with their vision,” MacLeod says.

“The growth factor here has been just phenomenal and I’d like to help take it to another level.”

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Media contact:

Tanya Alexander
Public Relations Specialist, Qatar Project
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.0811
Tanya.alexander@cna.nl.ca

Diane Martin
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic-Qatar
011.974.495.2035
diane.martin@cna-qatar.edu.qa