Newcastle University

Newcastle University has a new Vice-Chancellor. He is South-African born Professor Chris Brink, pictured, an eminent mathematician who studied for his PhD at Cambridge before embarking on a successful academic career in Australia and South Africa.

Professor Brink, who took office on 1 August 2007, was formerly Rector and Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, which has emerged as one of the country’s leading research universities as well gaining a reputation for promoting equality of opportunity by attracting more black students into enter higher education.

Professor Brink said that while in South Africa, he became aware of the reputation of Newcastle University for ‘excellence and relevance’. He aims to build on this commitment to applying teaching and research to the benefit of people and businesses, especially those in North East England.

‘It was the vision of this university that brought me here,’ said Professor Brink. ‘I am enthused by the idea of a marriage between excellence and relevance, and committed to the ideal of a university that is a driver for regional development and economic growth through the internationally-recognised quality of its research and teaching.’

Professor Brink succeeds Professor Christopher Edwards, who retires after six-and-a-half-years as Vice-Chancellor.

Olivia Grant, Chairman of Council, said: 'Chris Brink is an renowned academic with an international reputation in higher education who has demonstrated outstanding leadership at Stellenbosch. Council believes he shares our commitment to the crucial regional and local role of the University whilst strengthening our international excellence and diversity.'

Web links to further information:

www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/chrisbrinksletter.pdf "> Professor Brink's introductory letter to all staff

TV interview with Mick Warwicker, Head of Press and Communications

www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/content.phtml?ref=1185958186 "> Press release (with further biographical details)

www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/photos/394Brink_Chris.jpg"> Full-sized photograph of Professor Brink at the University