Sutton College Principal Dipa Ganguli to receive OBE.

Sutton College Principal Dipa Ganguli is on the New Year 2021 Honours List and will be receiving an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen when restrictions allow.

Dipa, with almost 25 years experience in the Adult Education sector, started in the ESOL English Language department at Croydon Adult Learning (CALAT) as the office manager.  She soon moved through different roles to become the Funding and MIS Manager. It was at that time, she decided that she could only influence change in the classroom with first-hand experience of it and so completed a PGCE from Canterbury Christchurch University, through Sutton College. She carried on with her day job, teaching functional maths in the evenings and at weekends.

After CALAT, Dipa moved to Westminster Adult Education Service as the Assistant Principal and then on to Sutton College as the Principal in January 2018.

Dipa was nominated by colleagues from HOLEX, the lead professional body for Adult Community Education and Learning who represent a network of 130+ adult and community learning providers in the UK.

Dr Sue Pember CBE, Policy Director for HOLEX said:
“We are very pleased that Dipa has been recognised and honoured. She is an amazing person who cares about her students and staff welfare. Dipa is a sector expert and is always willing to help her colleagues and continues to provide voluntary support to HOLEX at a national board level. This honour is well deserved and we all congratulate her’

Dipa’s involvement in HOLEX has been varied being both a HOLEX policy forum member and a HOLEX board member. Dipa has represented HOLEX at national forums with the funding agencies and other organisations, participating in a Leadership Exchange Programme to South Africa with the British Council and involvement with Erasmus and ESF projects with European partners.

Dipa said:

‘I am very honoured to be recognised for my contribution to  Adult Education.   This is a validation for all of the Adult and Community Education sector that works with some of the most disadvantaged learners in our community, providing courses, an opportunity to upskill, reskill and succeed in their lives.  I am proud of the sector and humbled to be leading a service where learners and staff are so dedicated and passionate about what we do.’

Dipa will receive her honour once Government advice allows events to take place again, at St James Palace.