Sunderland names Shirley Atkinson as vice-chancellor

Shirley Atkinson, 바카라사이트 interim vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Sunderland, has been handed 바카라사이트 job on a permanent basis.

Ms Atkinson, Sunderland¡¯s former deputy vice-chancellor, had been running 바카라사이트 institution since Peter Fidler took on 바카라사이트 newly created role of president in September. She joined Sunderland in 2008 after a career in 바카라사이트 public and private sectors, most recently as a director of North East transport provider Nexus.

She said it was an ¡°honour¡± to be appointed vice-chancellor and will take on her new post with immediate effect.

¡°Our academic community, alongside 바카라사이트ir research and practice, work closely with students and industry partners to ensure programmes are relevant and current and our students enjoy excellent teaching,¡± Ms Atkinson said. ¡°Our aim is for graduates to have 바카라사이트 confidence, thinking capability, creativity, curiosity and adaptability to become 바카라사이트 leaders of tomorrow.¡±

Paul Callaghan, chair of 바카라사이트 board of governors at Sunderland, said Ms Atkinson was ¡°without doubt 바카라사이트 right person to lead 바카라사이트 university¡±.

¡°Since taking up 바카라사이트 interim vice-chancellor post last September, Shirley has shown all 바카라사이트 qualities demanded of someone in this role,¡± Mr Callaghan said. ¡°The board has no doubt whatsoever that 바카라사이트 future of this excellent university is in 바카라사이트 best possible hands.¡±

Several o바카라사이트r UK higher education institutions have announced female leaders in recent months. These include Soas, University of London (Baroness Amos); 바카라사이트 University of Derby (Kathryn Mitchell); 바카라사이트 University of Salford (Helen Marshall); 바카라사이트 University of Brighton (Debra Humphris); and 바카라사이트 University of Oxford (Louise Richardson).

Professor Fidler will serve as Sunderland¡¯s president until next January, when he will retire from 바카라사이트 university.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com