The IoP welcomes its new Dean
11 January 2010
The Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) and King’s College London (KCL) ushered in the New Year with the appointment of a new Dean, Professor Shitij Kapur. Prof. Kapur takes on this role following a two-year tenure as Vice Dean (Research) of the Institute.
Professor Kapur brings a distinguished and international academic background, having served as Canada Research Chair for Schizophrenia and Therapeutic Neuroscience, Chief of Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.
He graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, did his psychiatric training at the University of Pittsburgh and subsequently completed a PhD and Fellowship at the University of Toronto. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and has recently been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, UK.
In welcoming Professor Kapur to this role, the Principal of King’s College London, Professor Rick Trainor, said: 'Colleagues outside the Institute as well as within it have come to know Shitij well during his period as Vice Dean, and I know that they will join me in wishing him every success as Dean.'
Describing what drew him to the IOP, Professor Kapur said: 'Nearly two years ago when I decided to leave my position at the University of Toronto to move to the IoP, I was motivated by the academic excellence, the comprehensive educational offerings and the tremendous potential of the IoP in partnership with South London and Maudsley (SLaM) and KCL. Two years on – I am as excited about these prospects and have further come to treasure the collegiality, the students and the Camberwell edge of IoP!'
He succeeds Professor Peter McGuffin FKC who, after three distinguished years of achievement as Dean, is returning to his former key role as Director of the IoP's MRC Centre for Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP).
Professor Kapur is busily assembling a leadership team which will include Mr. Richard Barnard the Institute Secretary, the Heads of Departments and Vice Deans. In this regard, Prof. Simon Wessely has been appointed Vice Dean for Academic Psychiatry and Professor Til Wykes will be stepping up to the role of Vice Dean for Research.
Prof. Kapur said that one of his first acts will be visiting the individual departments and to get to know them in their own settings. In his inaugural message he wrote: 'It is an honour to be asked to lead an institution of this stature and potential and it will be a privilege to work with all IoP staff and students to make it even better.'
Rumour has it he can cook a really killer biryani, makes his own sausages and can make an igloo a skill that may become more useful in London if our weather continues.
Please join us in welcoming the new Dean to the IOP. He can be reached at iopdeansoffice@kcl.ac.uk
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