UK varsity appoints Prof Charles Egbu, a Nigerian as VC

Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, in the United Kingdom, has appointed a Nigerian, Prof. Charles Egbu, as its new Vice Chancellor (VC). Egbu, who hails from Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area in Anambra State, is the first black VC to have emerged from the varsity, and will take over from Prof. Margaret House, who will step down after seven years. 
 
In a statement from Leeds University’s website, Prof. Egbu will return to Leeds, a city in which he studied and taught, to begin his new role on November 1, 2020.
 
Jamie Hanley, Chair Designate of the Board of Governors at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Professor Egbu brings with him a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of the higher education sector. His energy and vision stood out throughout a very competitive recruitment process, and it is clear that he recognises Leeds Trinity’s strengths and values, as well as bringing with him a detailed understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced from across the higher education sector. I very much look forward to welcoming him to Leeds Trinity University.”

The University has an impressive track record in learning, teaching and employability, and I am looking forward to building on the strong foundations established under the leadership of Professor House.
 
“I have already been impressed by the sense of community at Leeds Trinity and I am looking forward to engaging with students, colleagues and alumni as we shape the future strategy of the institution. I am also looking forward to returning to Leeds; the city in which I spent much of my early academic life.”
 
Commending the feat also on behalf of Ndigbo, the Centre for Memories (CFM), its Executive Director, Uchenna Achunine, said: “We celebrate you today and wish you a successful and productive tenure in that role. Your emergence is a confirmation that you are a true Igbo son and also bears eloquent testimony that you are a worthy Igbo ambassador with the spirit of hard work inherent in you. Ndigbo are very proud of you. You have shown that truly, Igbo nwere mmadu.”

He is also a member of various external bodies, including the Advance HE Pro Vice-Chancellor Network, and QAA Panel of Experts. Prior to this, he was Dean of the School of Built Environment and Architecture at the London South Bank University, and Head of the School of Built Environment at the University of Salford, and held academic posts at the University College London, Glasgow Caledonian University, and Leeds Beckett University (formerly Leeds Metropolitan).
 
Professor Egbu’s research interests focus on project management, construction management, and sustainable development; subjects about which he has written 12 books and contributed to more than 350 publications in various international journals and conferences. He has strong links with industry, professional bodies and policy makers, and has managed several large multi-disciplinary research projects.