International School Aberdeen (ISA) has announced the appointment of Professor Paul de Leeuw as its newest board member as it continues to forge links between local education and the North-East’s energy sector.
Professor de Leeuw is director of Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Energy Transition Institute and brings extensive energy industry links from over 34 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector.
Paul de Leeuw, who is also chairman of the National Energy Skills Accelerator, said: “I’m delighted to join the board and the team at ISA at this critical time. With the rapid societal changes, it is key that we prepare the next generation with the critical skills required and to include them in shaping the future.”
Nick Little, head of school, ISA, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Professor Paul de Leeuw as our newest board member.
“His business acumen coupled with his focus on involving our young people in the conversations on matters affecting the energy sector makes him the perfect fit for ISA. Paul brings an invaluable knowledge of the local area as well as a deep understanding of the challenges facing the energy sector which will play a key role in raising awareness among our students of what the future holds.
“Our children will live in a different world to the one we grew up in so it’s imperative that we redefine learning areas and practices to prepare students for a world where some of them will work in jobs that don’t yet exist,” he said.
As Scotland’s first international school, ISA educates children from age three to 18. The school has a student population of almost 500 pupils with half of those coming from the UK and the other 50% comprised of 45 different nationalities.
For more information on ISA, visit www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk