Leadership

The Executive Team at University Canada West sets the strategic direction of the university and leads its implementation to achieve the university’s goals. The team is accountable for ensuring high standards of excellence across academics, programs, operations and student satisfaction.

Executive Team

Dr. Bashir Makhoul

Titles: President and Vice-Chancellor

Departments: Staff, Leadership, Executive Team

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Dr. Bashir Makhoul

President and Vice-Chancellor

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Dr. Bashir Makhoul brings a unique breadth of experience to his role as President and Vice-Chancellor of UCW. An artist by vocation and training, Dr. Makhoul’s works explore themes of conflict, displacement and identity, and have been featured in top galleries worldwide.

Dr. Makhoul joined UCW in October 2023 following a 6½ year term as President and Vice-Chancellor at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in the United Kingdom, where he spearheaded the creation of the UK’s first Business School for the Creative Industries. Under his leadership, UCA was named Modern University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide in 2019.

Dr. Makhoul shares UCW’s “commitment to providing high-quality education” and draws on his global experience in academia to lead the University in providing innovative courses and programs.

Dr. Mazi Shirvani

Titles: Interim Vice President, Academic

Departments: Academic Affairs, Staff, Leadership, Executive Team

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Dr. Mazi Shirvani

Vice President, Academic

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Dr. Mazi Shirvani joins University Canada West as the new interim Vice President, Academic.

The distinguished mathematician completed both his BSc and PhD degrees at Queen Mary University of London. Following his doctoral studies, he embarked on a postdoctoral fellowship before joining the General Electric Co. of Britain’s Advanced Research Lab from 1985 to 1987, working on neural networks and associative memories.

In 1987, Dr. Shirvani moved to work in academia, joining the Department of Mathematics at the University of Alberta. Over three decades, he dedicated himself to teaching, research and administrative work, including significant labour relations duties. He retired as an emeritus professor in December 2018.

Throughout his tenure, he served in various leadership roles, including Vice-Provost and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research from 2008 to 2015, and chair of the Board of Trustees of the Universities Academic Pension Plan (UAPP) from 2007 to 2009.

His research interests spanned Algebra and Applied Mathematics, with a focus on division rings, linear groups, combinatorial algebra and coagulation theory.

After a hiatus during his decanal term, he returned to the algebraic problem of the classification of finite groups with a projective representation of prime degree over a division ring. The complete solution, likely to run to several hundred pages, will be published as a mathematical monograph.

He has taught a diverse array of graduate and undergraduate mathematics courses, earning recognition such as the Faculty of Science Teaching Award in 2003 and the University of Alberta’s prestigious Rutherford Award.

Sitora Azimova

Titles: Vice President Administration

Departments: Staff, Administration, Leadership, Executive Team

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Sitora Azimova

Vice President Administration

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Sitora has more than 15 years of experience in managing B2B commercial operations, both in the UK and internationally.

She has been with Global University Systems since its creation and has been instrumental in business transformation, expansion into new markets and the integration of GUS’ shared services.

Prior to working at GUS, Sitora worked extensively in the field of international executive recruitment.

Ed Bagg

Titles: Vice President of Operations & IT Services

Departments: Staff, IT, Leadership, Executive Team

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Ed Bagg

Vice President of Operations & IT Services

Herneet Dhillon

Titles: Vice President, People and Culture (Human Resources)

Departments: Staff, Human Resources, Leadership, Executive Team

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Herneet Dhillon

Executive Director, People & Culture (Human Resources)

School: 1-604-915-9607

Herneet is responsible for human resources, policy and procedures, and executive support at University Canada West.

She has an extensive background working in education, administration and private equity groups. Educated in Canada and the United Kingdom, she taught for several years before moving into administration at private equity firm Cabot Square Capital. After returning to Canada in 2011, she started working in private education and joined UCW in 2014.

Her portfolio includes a variety of responsibilities ranging from Human Resources and Compensation to Strategic Planning and Initiatives.

Henrique Gea

Titles: Registrar

Departments: Staff, Leadership, Registrar Office, Executive Team

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Henrique Gea

Registrar

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Komil Mamajanov

Titles: Vice President, Strategic Development

Departments: Staff, Leadership, Strategic Development, Executive Team

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Komil Mamajanov

Vice President, Strategic Development
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Komil Mamajanov is the Vice-President of Strategic Development at University Canada West (UCW). He leads the growth and innovation initiatives of the university and oversees the recruitment of a diverse and talented student body. He has over 15 years of experience in international higher education globally through working in leadership roles with various institutions in UK, Germany, US and Canada.

He is passionate about technology innovation and social impact in education. He is a frequent speaker and presenter at various industry events and seminars. Komil holds a Triple Accredited MBA degree from Grenoble Ecole de Management (France) and a BA degree in Linguistics from Samarkand State University of Foreign Languages.

Midya U

Titles: Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Departments: Staff, Leadership, Marketing & Communications, Executive Team

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Midya U

Executive Director, Marketing & Communications

School: 1 778 655 7857

Midya is a marketing and branding professional who brings more than a decade of experience in post-graduate and language training sectors. She has worked with various Canadian institutions to create their brand identities and build upon their strengths.

Before joining UCW, Midya served as Director of Marketing at Langara Centre for Entertainment Arts (CEA) in Vancouver. Midya has also worked at ICEF, a global leader in international student recruitment events and services. Prior to joining ICEF, she had a marketing and communication role at one of the largest civil engineering companies in Canada where she managed national marketing initiatives and communication strategies across 23 locations throughout Canada. Midya also worked at VGC International College and Thompson Rivers University.

Lisa Collins

Titles: Vice President, Student Experience

Departments: Student Affairs, Executive Team, Leadership, Staff

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Lisa Collins

Vice President, Student Experience
[email protected]

Lisa Collins has joined University Canada West in the newly created position of Vice President, Student Experience, effective May 2024.

Lisa will provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight for all aspects related to student life and the overall student experience within University Canada West.

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor and working closely with the executive and senior leadership team, this position is pivotal in creating a positive and supportive environment that fosters students’ personal growth, academic progression and overall well-being.

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Leadership

Executive Team

Dr. Bashir Makhoul

Dr. Mazi Shirvani

Sitora Azimova

Ed Bagg

Herneet Dhillon

Henrique Gea

Komil Mamajanov

Midya U

Lisa Collins

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Executive Team

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