Professor Ian Cumbus studied Biological Sciences at the University of Lancaster (UK) and subsequently in 1975 obtained his PhD in Plant Physiology at the University of Bath (UK). Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Bath and Oxford University were followed by appointment as Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University in 1979. Secondments have included Foundation Dean of Science at the Asian University of Science and Technology in Thailand, start up and Head of Biotechnology programs at the Singapore Polytechnic, and Coordinator of Policy & Planning at Zayed University (1998-2000). Dr. Cumbus is a member of the UK’s Higher Education Academy and is a Chartered Biologist with the Institute of Biology (UK). Over the years Professor Cumbus has received awards for Teaching Excellence and was recipient of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship in 1981. Most recently, in his role as Assistant Principal (Academic) at Writtle College UK, Dr. Cumbus was awarded Professorial status by the University of Essex in 2003. Dr. Cumbus has worked on contract for the Higher Education Funding Councils in England and Wales as Special Subject Quality Assessor and for other accreditation boards in the UK and internationally. Dr. Cumbus has worked as a Commissioner with the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the United Arab Emirates. He has also been a Qualifications Framework Expert at the National Qualifications Authority, United Arab Emirates.