Meet the New Academic Leaders Transforming BUV

With the appointment of four new Heads of School, BUV continues to enhance its reputation for offering quality British education and providing an excellent learning experience on its beautiful 5-star campus.

These appointments mark the latest move in BUV’s strategic brand repositioning initiative, reinforcing its vision of being viewed as the number one international university in Vietnam and surrounding regions. 

The new Heads of School were selected based on rigorous criteria: Possessing doctoral credentials from internationally renowned universities, proven practical experience in both academia and industry management, and a commitment to addressing social issues through ongoing research. 

The new Heads of School exemplify the newly restructured faculty in all teaching disciplines at BUV, of which 60% hold PhDs and 100% are internationally qualified.  

Dr.  Mark Wheaton – Head of School, The Business School 

Dr. Mark Wheaton holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Newcastle, Australia. With over 20 years experience in higher education, he has held managerial positions in finance, accounting, and business administration at Kaplan Business School in Australia and RMIT University in Vietnam.  

His expertise in corporate finance and risk management has led to new financial strategies, adopted by various educational institutions and businesses.  

Dr. Mark Wheaton is also a sought-after speaker, focusing on innovation in accounting education, and global risk management.  

He integrates real-world business simulations and contemporary case studies into the curriculum, effectively linking theoretical knowledge with practical application. 

Dr. Ali Al-Dulaimi – Head of School, School of Computing & Innovative Technologies 

Dr. Ali Al-Dulaimi holds a PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Concordia University, Canada, and has completed postdoctoral research fellowships at Concordia University and York University. With 25 years of experience, he has held diverse high-level roles, including, department head, research team leader, and project manager, across the Middle East, North America, and other regions.  

Dr Ali has been honoured with numerous global awards, and with his profound expertise and robust partnership network, imparts his students with valuable industry insights and an innovation-driven mindset.  

Dr. Paul D.J Moody – Head of School, School of Communications & Creative Industries 

Dr. Paul D.J. Moody holds a PhD from the Royal College of Art, London, UK, the world’s number 1 (QS ranked) Art & Design institution. He brings over 20 years experience in higher education and talent development, complemented by a 34-year career in media production encompassing feature films, television series, documentaries, arts, advertising, and promotions.  

Dr. Moody has held influential roles as a senior academic at prestigious institutions, including the National Film and Television School (UK), the University of London, Royal College of Art, the London College of Communication, London Film School, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and Ramon Llull University (Barcelona). 

He has significantly contributed to award-winning productions for major networks, studios, and global corporations. His documentaries are archived at the British Film Institute’s National Archive. His globally acclaimed creative approach instills a desire for experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking for students.  

Dr. Simon Kimber – Head of School, The Graduate School  

Dr. Simon Kimber holds a PhD from the University of Surrey, UK, a top 3 globally ranked university (ShanghaiRanking). He has over 15 years of teaching experience and progression through academic leadership positions at Swansea University and the University of Surrey’s international campus, Surrey International Institute (SII-DUFE). 

His scholarly work in sustainable development, global mobility, and emerging technologies have secured funding from global funds and have been published in high-impact international journals. 

Dr. Simon Kimber’s background in international education management will contribute to developing a quality suite of postgraduate programmes at BUV, laying the foundation for postgraduate students’ success in their professional paths. 

With these four new academic leaders under the guidance of Associate Professor Jason MacVaugh – Dean (Higher Education), BUV is dedicated to cultivating the next generations of “lionhearted” – young global citizens with academic excellence and resilience to thrive in an ever-changing world.