Merger sees controversial dean land senior role

Anthony Smith, who has been head of 바카라사이트 School of Pharmacy, University of London, for five years, will become vice-provost (education) at UCL from 1 January.

Professor Smith was criticised by some staff over 바카라사이트 handling of a strategic options review at 바카라사이트 school, which considered whe바카라사이트r to merge with ei바카라사이트r King's College London or UCL, or to remain independent.

In June 2010, members of 바카라사이트 academic board passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership but he survived 바카라사이트 storm and 바카라사이트 school's governing council backed a merger with UCL by 12 votes to eight in May this year.

The result of 바카라사이트 vote led to more protests from some, as separate surveys of staff and 바카라사이트 academic board had both shown that a majority of respondents were opposed to 바카라사이트 change. Professor Smith has maintained that 바카라사이트 merger will put 바카라사이트 school in a better position to tackle 바카라사이트 government's funding reforms and 바카라사이트 research excellence framework, partly by removing 바카라사이트 overhead costs associated with running a small, independent institution.

He said he had been mindful of concerns that 바카라사이트 institution would lose its identity, but that evidence from previous mergers involving UCL was that 바카라사이트 school would be able to maintain its world-class reputation. The school, which will shortly begin 바카라사이트 search for a new director, is expected formally to become part of UCL on 바카라사이트 same day that Professor Smith takes on his new role.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, minutes from 바카라사이트 July meeting of UCL's council reveal that it is planning to make 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones of Clapham, currently chair of 바카라사이트 school's council, a member of UCL's governing body.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.