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Meet the first head of Adam Smith College
A LEADER has been chosen for Kirkcaldy's new college, ahead of its expected opening in October.
Dr Craig Thomson (53) will be principal of Adam Smith College Fife, the merger of Fife College and Glenrothes College.
Principal of Fife College Joyce Johnston (56), who has been the driving force behind the joining of the two colleges, is to stand down in the summer.
Her retirement comes after 23 years as a leader in further education in Scotland, and follows her award of an OBE in the Queen's 2005 New Year's Honours.
When he takes the reins of Adam Smith College, Dr Thomson will be in charge of Scotland's third largest college.
The current principal of Glenrothes College said he was delighted to be offered the position.
"This is an exciting time for further education in Scotland, with the launch of our new college just months away.
"It is an honour to be appointed to take the helm and to be part of the creation and beginning of this new college, bringing together the staff expertise and excellent facilities of our existing colleges to the benefit of our students."
Dr Thomson will bring extensive experience in further and higher education to the role, and the new college's shadow board said it was confident he would be an excellent leader.
Before he was made principal in Glenrothes six years ago, Dr Thomson was assistant principal of Fife College.
He was also director of marketing at Stroud College, Gloucestershire, for four years and was Programme Co-ordinator at Coombe Lodge Further Education Staff College, in Bristol, in the late '80s.
In the earlier part of that decade, Dr Thomson, worked in Kuwait as an instructor for the Kuwait Oil Company and director of studies for the Military Language Institute.
He is a director of Fife Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and is a member of the Advisory Council of Learning and Teaching in Scotland.
Work has been going on on the merger for the last 18 months, and it is expected to be approved by the Scottish Executive later this year.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
