Meet Professor Debbi Marais, our new Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International Education)
Professor Debbi Marais, from Warwick Medical School, has been appointed as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International Education), formally taking up the role on 1 November 2025.
In this role, Debbi will help shape Warwick’s strategic direction in global education, collaborating with global partners and expanding international opportunities for students. Alongside this, she will support student recruitment, intercultural campus initiatives, and external engagement to strengthen Warwick’s international reputation.
Debbi told us:
"I am deeply honoured to take on this role. International education has been a defining thread throughout my career, and I am excited to contribute to Warwick’s renewed strategy at this pivotal moment.
I look forward to working collaboratively across the University and with global partners to expand transnational education, enhance student mobility, and foster inclusive, intercultural academic environments. Guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu, I am committed to creating transformative opportunities that empower our students to become global citizens and strengthen Warwick’s international reputation."
Professor Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), commented:
"Debbi’s appointment comes at an important time as Warwick seeks to grow and enrich its portfolio of both curricular and extra-curricular international education opportunities, in order to embed an international education as a hallmark of the Warwick student experience. Debbi’s experience across many elements of our current provision, and across multiple formats of international education delivery, will enable her to lead strategically across this portfolio as part of the International and Education executives, working collaboratively with departments and teams across the University, as well as with our global partners."
About Debbi
Professor Debbi Marais is an experienced academic leader currently based at Warwick Medical School. She holds a Chair in Health Sciences Education and is a Principal Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), recognised for strategic leadership in enhancing teaching quality and student learning. Originally trained as a Dietitian, Debbi transitioned into academia at Stellenbosch University, the University of Aberdeen, and now Warwick.
With over 25 years in higher education, Debbi has played a key role in advancing internationalisation strategies, including developing globally relevant curricula and transnational education partnerships; enhancing international student experience and support; promoting intercultural competence and global citizenship and leading interdisciplinary and cross-border academic collaborations, reflecting her commitment to inclusive, globally-engaged education.
Debbi’s leadership is grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—which informs her collaborative, inclusive, and culturally perceptive approach. She is known for motivating teams, mentoring staff and students, and fostering innovation in teaching and learning.