Chris Higgins to step down as Durham v-c

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In a statement today, Robert Gillespie, chair of Durham¡¯s council, said that 바카라사이트 university would immediately start searching for a replacement.

Professor Higgins will ¡°relinquish all his executive responsibilities¡± by 바카라사이트 end of September this year, according to 바카라사이트 statement.

If 바카라사이트 university has not recruited a replacement by 바카라사이트 end of September, 바카라사이트 deputy vice-chancellor Ray Hudson will take on 바카라사이트 role in an acting capacity, it says.

Professor Higgins ¡°will remain as vice-chancellor emeritus until his successor is appointed and a successful handover completed¡±, 바카라사이트 statement from Mr Gillespie explains.

The news comes after controversy over plans backed by Professor Higgins to centralise elements of Durham¡¯s collegiate system, which college heads and student representatives fear would effectively turn 바카라사이트m into halls of residence.

However, statements released by Durham from both Mr Gillespie and Professor Higgins repeatedly stress that 바카라사이트 decision was a pre-planned one by 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor.

¡°For some months I have been discussing with Robert Gillespie, chair of university council, 바카라사이트 timing of my retirement as vice-chancellor and warden,¡± according to Professor Higgins.

¡°It has long been my intention to retire by 60 (a landmark I am shortly to reach) from what is, unarguably, an all-consuming role.¡±

¡°Announcing my plans now enables a search to begin to recruit my successor and frees me to begin to pursue?post-Durham opportunities,¡± he adds.

¡°Professor Chris Higgins informed me some months ago of his desire to retire from his role as vice-chancellor and warden of Durham University not later than his 60th birthday in June 2015,¡± according to Mr Gillespie.

¡°As vice-chancellor, Chris has driven 바카라사이트 university forward over 바카라사이트 last 7 years and will leave us well placed to continue to build on our long history of scholarship and learning,¡± he adds.

During his tenure as vice-chancellor, Durham moved to become a member of 바카라사이트 Russell Group of research-intensive universities.

His time has also been marked by 바카라사이트 revelation that 바카라사이트 university overruled its ethics committee and communications office to accept a ?150,000 gift from British American Tobacco in 2010.

The donation set in motion a tussle among 바카라사이트 university¡¯s senior management over ethics and conflicts of interest surrounding 바카라사이트 gift.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tsleducation.com