A former refugee who could not return home after being accused of instigating riots now hopes to “transform” a college with her leadership.

Last month, Iranian professor Saboohi Famili became principal of Epping Forest College in Borders Lane, Loughton, and is now setting out plans to improve the facility.

Ms Famili previously spent two years reshaping education in Guernsey.

She first came to the UK in 1999 while working as a professor of engineering at the University of Tehran, visiting for a funeral.

However, during her stay student protests broke out in Iran followed by rioting and a deadly crackdown.

Several people were killed and dozens of students disappeared.

“There was a lot of unrest and my name, as one of the only female engineering professors, was given as a name of someone who instigated,” said Ms Famili.

“As a result, I could not go back.”

Ms Famili applied for refugee status from the Home Office and has remained in the UK since.

With a long career in education, she is now setting out to change Epping Forest College.

A consultation has been launched for students, staff and the local community, to discover what people want from the college in the coming years and beyond.

The new principal said she hopes the college can go from “delivering across all areas” to specialising in some subjects.

Ms Famili, who said she already “loves” the area and enjoys cycling in the forest, said: “I really hope to commit a lengthy service to transform this college to become what this community deserves.”

To take part in the college’s consultation up to October 21, Tweet using #EFCway or email ideas to future@efc.ac.uk.