Dean's Message
Anne Lavack, Provost & Vice-President Academic, is pleased to announce that Mr. George Verghese has been appointed as Kwantlen's new Dean of Design and will be replacing Barbara Duggan on her retirement.
Mr. Verghese's career extends over 33 years and his experiences have included teaching as a senior academic, administration, international education, research and practice. For the past 13 years he has made his home at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia where for the last 7 years, he was Course Director of Post-Graduate Design and Senior Lecturer. In 2008, part of his year was spent as a Visiting Professor in the School of Architecture and Design at King Mongkut's University of Technology in Thailand. Prior to his move to Australia, he was Chair of the School of Interior Design at Ryerson University in Toronto where he also maintained his own interior design practice for 15 years.
Mr. Verghese was a founding member of IDEA (Interior Design/Interior Architecture Educators Association) in 1996 and in this role, organized an international conference, developed a refereed studio scheme, managed a website and refereed research papers for publication. His experience includes partnerships with institutions in Thailand, South East Asia, Korea, Japan, Canada, UK and Europe. His international profile in both practice and academia has led to many requests to serve on advisory boards and accreditation panels.
Despite being engaged in management and leadership roles over the last ten years, Mr. Verghese has also spent time developing an active research profile. He has presented many conference papers, authored book chapters, and has been the recipient of research grants. Most recently, he has been involved in ground-breaking research with a trans-disciplinary team of nurses and midwives, video ethnographers and designers that are looking at the re-design of birthing centers. Another grant has led to research in colour and materiality as it relates to place-making. His Ph.D. research is examining a grounded theoretical approach to understanding the processes that designers engage with when looking at innovation in design.
Mr. Verghese has been described by colleagues as an academic leader; as having an absolute commitment to education; for his support of faculty; and, for his integrity.
Dean's Office Contacts
George Verghese
Dean, Faculty of Design
Phone: 604.599.2621
E-mail: george.verghese@kwantlen.ca
Sherisse Sy
Special Project Advisor to the Dean, Faculty of Design
Phone: 604-599-2525
E-mail: sherisse.sy@kwantlen.ca
Sarb Loodu
Operations Manager, Faculty of Design
Phone: 604-599-2668
E-mail: sarb.loodu@kwantlen.ca
Roxsanne Bujnowicz
Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Design
Phone: 604-599-2522
E-mail: roxsanne.bujnowicz@kwantlen.ca
Celia Lam
Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Design
Phone: 604-599-2771
E-mail: celia.lam@kwantlen.ca
Cathy Ramli
Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Design
Phone: 604-599-2584
E-mail: cathy.ramli@kwantlen.ca
