Muhammad Ilyas Foy

My last job was in one of the largest University Preparatory Year programs in the world (500+ EFL Teachers and Managers).

In that role, I line managed 40+ EFL Teachers on the male campus. This involved carrying out weekly group meetings, one to one reviews and appraisals, lesson observations and professional development workshops.

I also retained my remit to represent the ELSD on KSU PY “quality” related issues.

In this role I was responsible for overseeing the quality initiatives of the PY ELSD and the interaction between the PY ELSD and the University Development & Quality Deanship such as; ISO 9001:2008 and the ITQAN Portal for Curriculum Performance Management. I was also responsible for a major initiative involving the complete documentation and process mapping of the operational “mechanics” of the English language Skills Program in order to develop and continually improve teaching and learning and to ensure that the program focus in on the “learner experience”.

Additionally, I took the lead on the development of the 70 strong management team. I designed a competence based Performance Management System.

As Academic Administration Manager, I managed three key disciplines:

1. The Administrative functions of the organization including central purchasing, contract management and compliance control.

2. The Logistics requirements of the company which involves transportation, flights, shipping and accommodation including support services and facilities management.

3. The Technology requirements of the company as overall strategic head of Education and Information Technology department leading IT teams both in Riyadh and Amman in Jordan.

Additionally, I was also the Cambridge ESOL Assessment Exam Centre Manager for Obeikan Education in Riyadh.

I also worked as a Teacher/Trainer for the Obeikan Knowledge Academy as a Management Trainer and customer service consultant.

As Education Technology Manager, I managed two key disciplines:

1. The overall strategic head of the company’s internal Education and Information Technology department leading IT teams both in Riyadh and Amman in Jordan.

2. Working very closely with Cambridge University Press to roll-out their e-learning products in KSA for the teaching, learning and assessment of the English Language.

I also developed and managed a virtual language school called Obeikan English which uses virtual classrooms with native English speaking Teachers supported by a Learning Management System with online content to take the teaching and learning of English to the learner in a totally student centred approach.

My role also included a much broader remit relating to Education Technology, allowing me to work with Universities and Colleges in KSA taking the lead on the education technology and e-learning elements of new and existing education projects.

As a member of the in-country project management team I worked collaboratively with other Senior Managers to ensure the successful implementation of the project with effective teaching and learning.

I was overall head of the Educational Technology function, and I led on all matters relating to the strategic direction and operational management of Educational Technology to facilitate E-Learning, E-Assessment, E-Portfolios etc in addition to Active Learning and Blended learning.

I was the overall head of the College’s ILT and ICT resources along with the College’s Voice and Data facilities.

I was a budget holder with key responsibilities for strategic IT and ET planning and implementation at all levels. I also had responsibility to ensure the smooth operation of the College’s Web solutions and Virtual Learning Environment and for the training of Teachers in E-Learning, E-Assessment, and the production of learning objects.

In my role as Senior Lecturer, I designed an NCFE Course in Multimedia Design at Intermediate level (NVQ Level 2). This involved using a range of interactive graphics and video software to teach multimedia skills, concepts and theory. The student cohort consisted of two large classes of adult learners, many of whom were existing Teachers.

In addition to my full-time employment…
I was apponited by the Local education Authority to the post of Chair of School Governing Body

I was Chair of Governors at a state Primary School for 14 years and I was responsible for and involved in all aspects of the school including strategic planning, curriculum development, financial accountability and selection and recruitment of Staff and Pupils.

I was chosen for this role by the Local Education Authority to step in and rescue a school in Special Measures. During the 14 years of my tenure, I replaced 40% of the teaching staff including the Head and Deputy Head culminating in an Ofsted Grade 2 (Good) school.

I was head of purchasing for the Faculty of Health with key responsibility for the procurement of cost-effective supplies and services for education.

My key responsibility was to design a fully integrated computer strategy for the College to allow us to function equitably across all sites in preparation for integration into Higher Education ensuring that IT solutions were fit for purpose in line with the N.H.S. IM & T Strategy.

The key objective of my role was to facilitate the thorough and cost-effective utilization of Educational Technology resources across all five sites, branches and curricula of the College.