George Hunt
Director of International Development
George is Teesside's Director of International Development, with responsibility for overseeing international recruitment, student mobility initiatives and international partnerships.
A graduate of University of Leeds and Northumbria University, George has worked in the UK HE sector for the past ten years and sees internationalisation is one of the most valuable elements of UK higher education. Originally from the Tyne Valley, he is a supporter of Middlesbrough FC but only for the glory.
Jessica Watson James
Deputy Director of International Development
Jessica joined Teesside University in March 2022 with significant experience of recruiting and marketing to both UK and international students. Her career has been centred around higher education having worked in Swansea University and Cardiff University previously.
Imran Rashid
International Recruitment Manager - Middle East, North Africa and UK International
Imran joined Teesside University in March 2021 and has extensive experience in recruiting both UK and international students across his career. Imran worked in UK student recruitment for Teesside University and the University of Sunderland and then went on to work for QA Higher Education, where he recruited students from the Middle East and North Africa regions.
Imran has a strong passion in assisting and providing opportunities for students in education around the world.
Alizée Cordes
International Student Mobility Manager
Alizée joined Teesside University in 2021 with experience in international student support, international mobility and recruitment. Prior to joining the university, she worked at York St John University and University Bordeaux Montaigne (France).
Alizée is passionate about international education and helping students achieve their full potential. She looks after international mobilities including summer experiences and study abroad.
Matthew Gallagher
International Conversion Manager
Matthew joined the DID in May 2023 with over 10 years' experience working in the higher education sector. During his career, he has specialised in international recruitment and partnership development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Americas. His experience also includes work on the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office committee for international scholarships.
In his current role, he develops integrated communication plans to guide students through the admissions and compliance process. In addition to this, his role also helps to advise students on how make an application, as well as advising students on pre-departure and orientation details. Matthew's portfolio also includes international scholarships and the extremely popular TU webinars for international students and partners.
Yazhu Wang
International Marketing and Campaigns Manager
Yazhu Wang, joined in August 2023, is currently the International Marketing and Campaigns Manager at Teesside University. With over six years of experience in the UK higher education sector, she excels in international student recruitment and marketing. Her role involves developing data-driven, multi-channel campaigns, overseeing key events, and managing international marketing collateral.
Originally from China, Yazhu graduated from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Northumbria University. With a strong background in Business Analytics and Digital Marketing, Yazhu combines strategic planning, stakeholder management, and campaign management to meet the university's recruitment goals. She is passionate about promoting exceptional international education opportunities globally.
Lindsey Paylor-Orr
International Marketing Officer
Lindsey joined Teesside University in 2015 following several years in marketing and communication roles at the University of the Arts, London. She is responsible for developing innovative digital and print marketing assets to support international development activities. Lindsey specialises in visual communication, focusing on widening audience participation through Accessibility best practices.
Angela Faulkner
Administration Coordinator
Angela has been with the university for over eleven years, the last six in International Development. Her previous roles involved working with students, businesses and stakeholders, skills she still continues to use in her current role. As Administrator she is responsible for monitoring the department budgets, arranging travel and supporting the Centre Manager with Erasmus+.
Jade Davies
International Marketing Assistant
Jade started her journey at Teesside University in June 2022, bringing a broad wealth of expertise in marketing and communications. Back during her pursuit of a bachelor's degree, a remarkable achievement came her way - the Dolphin Brewin Scholarship for International Business, beckoning her to Amsterdam for studies. This unique opportunity not only enriched her academic pursuits but also bestowed upon her a profound understanding of the global student adventure.
In her capacity as an International Marketing Assistant, Jade plays a pivotal role, collaborating with the dynamic international marketing team to orchestrate and propel the University's endeavours in global marketing and communication. She has also achieved a Distinction in MSc Digital Marketing.
Louise Kirby
International Development Administrator
With over 20 years' experience in Administration and PA roles across Teesside, Louise joined Teesside University in September 2013. She has previously worked as a PA in the School of Design, Culture and the Arts and the School of Science, Engineering and Design. Since February 2019, Louise has delivered the role of PA to the Director for International Development.
Ijeoma Mbajunwa
West Africa Country Manager
Ijeoma joined Teesside University's West Africa Regional Office in 2019. She has provided administrative support for international students from across West Africa who intend to study at Teesside University, since 2014.
In addition, she is responsible for organising the Teesside English Language Test for applicants from Africa.
Vivian Amadi
Assistant West Africa Country Manager
Vivian has a background in Economics and joined Teesside University in March 2021. She is currently serving as the Assistant West Africa Country Manager where she plays the role of student support.
Shukurah Abolanle
Assistant Manager, Admissions & Compliance
Shukurah Abolanle joined Teesside University West Africa Regional Office as Assistant Manager Admissions & Compliance in November 2021 where she is responsible for admissions and compliance issues within the region and provides support to international students on their application.
Faith Nwaochei
Assistant Manager, Admissions & Compliance
Faith has a track record of 7 years + of experience in administration operation and customer service. She joined Teesside University in March 2022 where she works with extensive hands-on international development, paying attention to administration and compliance-related concerns, as well as interfacing with international students across West Africa providing adequate student support to ensure smooth administrative operation and coordination.
Esther Sobola
Student Recruitment and Conversion Officer
Esther joined the West Africa Regional Office of Teesside University in September 2022 as a Student Recruitment and Conversion Officer. In her role, she is responsible for providing comprehensive support to international students throughout their admission journey, Esther's commitment to delivering exceptional service has helped numerous students transition smoothly into their academic pursuits at Teesside University.
Toluwalagbara Dosunmu
Student Recruitment and Conversion Officer
Joined Teesside University in January 2023, she currently serves as a Student Recruitment and Conversion Officer at Teesside University's West Africa Regional Office. Her role is dedicated to guiding prospective international students through their application journey, ensuring a seamless and informed process.
HOU Liang
China Regional Director
Liang joined Teesside University's International team in 2007 and leads the China office for the University.
Liang originally came as an international student in 1999 from Shandong Province in China; he enjoys much of the local culture and made lots of friends locally.
The North East of England became his new home. Liang stayed in this region for 12 years before moving back to Beijing to set up the China office. Having been a student himself, he understands international students and is always willing to help them. Benefitting from his own experience in the UK, he is eager to share it with the international students.
WANG Mengsi
Office Manager
Mengsi has been working for Teesside University China office since March 2012. She has worked in a variety of roles including admissions, marketing and recruitment in China. Her current role as Manager of the China office includes responsibility for Business School recruitment and managing the team. Mengsi enjoys traveling across China, interacting with students and providing the most up to date information about Teesside University.
SUN Pingyao
Recruitment Manager
Pingyao joined Teesside University China Office in April 2015 after graduating from the University of the West Scotland (BA) and Cardiff University (PG). Initially responsible for admissions, in September 2016 Pingyao started to work as Recruitment Officer for Creative programmes and managed the agent network, international foundation programmes, public universities, articulation programmes and individual applicants.
Pingyao truly enjoys traveling all over China and expanding her knowledge when traveling with academics from different Schools. It is an exciting opportunity for her to share her knowledge and experience of our university with students and partners.
FENG Xueer
Admission Officer
With over 6 years of experience in international education, Xueer joined Teesside University China Office in September 2024 as an Admissions Officer. She is responsible for admissions and enquiries from students and agents. Xueer is dedicated to enhancing the University's impact in China and helping students begin their journey at Teesside University.
ZHOU Jiaqi
Marketing Officer
Jiaqi accomplished her master program in Southampton in 2014. Her previous working experience at a German education consulting company has brought her great interest in education and marketing. Jiaqi joined Teesside University as the Marketing Officer within the China Office in early 2017 and is responsible for marketing activities in China. She aims to enhance the branding of Teesside University in China.
TANG Tianyu
Tianyu has accomplished his master's programme in Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2015 and joined Teesside University China Office in early 2019. He is responsible for the agent network and Health programmes. He enjoys local food during travel and like extreme sports.
ZHAI Jiayue
Jiayue graduated from the University of Southampton with Marketing Management and joined in China office in July 2019. She is mainly responsible for Admissions and assists colleagues by responding to enquiries from student or agents as well. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling for enriching the knowledge and experiencing various cultures.
Syed Abidi
Regional Director - Pakistan
Syed Abidi is a renowned Educationist, Consultant and Trainer with over 25 years' experience in international education, marketing and recruitment. His responsibilities include expanding the current Pakistan market, overseeing the agent network, training and assuring outstanding support is delivered to students and partners of Teesside University.
In addition, Syed identifies development opportunities within the Middle Eastern Region including but not limited to KSA, UAE, Oman, Iran and Bahrain.
Syed Abidi is a recipient of a most prestigious Civil Award in Education from the President of Pakistan and has several international commendations and awards in the area of international student recruitment.
Khalida Parveen
Business development & operations officer
Khalida has joined Teesside Regional Office Pakistan as Business Development and Operations Officer. She has more than 8 years of experience in international student recruitment and marketing with different reputable agencies. She will be assisting the Pakistan office in enhancing TU branding and profile and provide support in day to day operations.
Zaeem Masood
Regional Support Officer - Pakistan
Zaeem joined Teesside University in June 2021. He has 15 years of experience in student recruitment. He is responsible for admissions, marketing and recruitment activities in the Pakistan and Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, including developing and maintaining working relationships with agencies.
Padmini Parameswaran
South Asia Regional Director
padmini.parameswaran@tees.ac.uk
Padmini joined Teesside University in the year 2016. She has 20 years of experience with Education UK. She started her professional career as a teacher and after working with some of the best schools across the country she joined Middlesex University's Regional Office as Manager of Admissions. She was Regional Director at University of Central Lancashire, University of East London and Northumbria University before she joined Teesside University.
Padmini enjoys interacting with students and advising them on their career choices. She also likes to travel across South Asia and meet students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Despite her experience, the role is a constant learning curve, even after several years of experience.
Jayanti Pathare
Conversions Manager
Jayanti joined Teesside University's South Asia office in December 2021 as an Assistant Manager and is currently working as the Conversions Manager; responsible for recruitment, conversions, and pre-departure activities among other things. She has almost a decade's worth of experience with Immigration New Zealand, having worked at their Auckland and Mumbai offices, where her last role was as a Technical Advisor.
Iona Furtado
Compliance Manager - South Asia
Iona joined Teesside University as a Compliance Manager (South Asia) in 2021. She has 17 years of experience, a better part of which was as a Senior Immigration Officer at Immigration New Zealand. She also previously worked in operations at JP Morgan Chase.
Padvala Nandan Naidu
Compliance Manager - South Asia
Nandan joined Teesside University as a Compliance Manager (South Asia) in 2021. His work involves conducting credibility interviews, verifying maintenance documents, overseeing enrollments and looking after compliance issues for South Asia applicants.
He has over 10 years of experience in student recruitment for the universities in the UK and Ireland. He previously worked at Nexus Educational Services and IDP Education. He was awarded Top Counsellor for IDP - Pan India in 2019 and 2020 and has delivered more than 50 seminars about studying in the UK.
June Chai
South East Asia Regional Director, SEA regional office
June joined Teesside University South East Asia regional office in early 2019. Prior to Teesside University, she was also in recruitment of students for Malaysia, the UK and USA institutions for the past 15 years. Her current role includes developing and executing strategic business plans, positioning of Teesside University in SEA, building a strong network of local partners, recruitment of students with her team in the regional office; just to name a few.
June enjoys the thrill in recruitment and the opportunities to meet with people from different walks of life. Her greatest satisfaction come from her students' success and building lifelong friendship along the way. June looks forward to grow, to learn and to succeed together with Teesside University in this region.
Rachel Lee
Operations Manager, SEA regional office
Rachel graduated from Lancaster University in 2019 with a MBA Master of Business Administration. She joined Teesside University's South East Asia regional office in 2007 when the office started its operations.
She was previously was the Head of Operations and Finance for SEGi College in Penang, Malaysia. As an Operations Manager, Rachel manages the admission processes for South East Asia, and is also responsible for general operations, finance, office budgets and collaborations with transnational education (TNE) partners. Rachel plays a key role in organising and managing Teesside University's events in the South East Asia region.
Ronnie Chai
Regional Manager, ASEAN
Ronnie joined Teesside University as Assistant Regional Manager to support the execution of regional recruitment, marketing strategy, market research, marketing campaigns and marketing communications. He also supports the development and management of partnerships in conjunction with the international partnerships team and supports other initiatives aimed at raising the profile of Teesside University in these markets.
Prior to working with Teesside University, Ronnie developed significant experience of assisting Southeast Asia students in the pursuit of higher education opportunities. In addition, he was also in student recruitment with a premier education group in Singapore. Ronnie enjoys the process of recruitment as much as the outcome and successes of his work.
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