New V-C for women’s varsity
THE Asian University for Women (AUW) has appointed British political scientist Prof Nirmala Rao ( pic) as the incoming vice-chancellor of the university effective from Feb 1, 2017.
Prof Rao, an expert on governance of cities, has served as pro director of the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London where she has also served extended periods as acting director. She was elected fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in 2003. Prof Rao has extensive experience of public service and served as an advisor to a range of bodies including the UK Audit Commission and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Prof Rao was also a lay member of the General Council of the Bar, an appointed member of the UK Architects Registration Board, council member of the Royal Society of Asian Affairs and of the Institute of Education, University of London. She currently serves as a governor of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance.
During the late 1990s, Prof Rao served as an academic advisor to the UK Minister for Housing & Local Government and advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, and, more recently, as programme director for the UK-India Leadership Programme for Vice-Chancellors.
During her tenure at SOAS, Prof Rao had lead responsibilities for, among other things, academic developments, learning and teaching strategy, strategic reviews of centres and departments and international collaborations.
It was under her leadership that SOAS successfully obtained Degree Awarding Powers and undertook major reform of its curriculum and portfolio review of undergraduate courses and postgraduate programmes.
Prior to joining SOAS, Prof Rao served as professor of politics and pro-warden at Goldsmiths College at the University of London.
In announcing the appointment of Prof Rao, Dr Dipu Moni, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University and former Bangladesh Foreign Minister said: “We are absolutely delighted that Prof Rao has accepted our invitation to join AUW as its next vice-chancellor.”
“AUW could not have hoped for a more distinguished and able academic administrator to provide leadership to the university as it looks to its second decade of service in educating women of our region for leadership roles,” she said.
Prof Rao said: “My goal is for AUW to remain an internationally acclaimed university, recognised among the best in the region and providing students with a distinctive, transformative and high quality experience.”
By prioritising the student experience in this way, it re-emphasises the commitment to transforming lives — inspiring students to live their lives to the best of their potential, and helping them fulfil their dreams, she added.
“There are clear challenges, but also huge opportunities and I look forward to working with colleagues to nurture a culture of aspiration so vital to a successful local and regionally-rooted university,” she said.
AUW’s longstanding chancellor Cherie Blair expressed her elation at Prof Rao’s appointment.
AUW’s founder Kamal Ahmad expressed similar sentiments.
“Prof Rao combines a deep understanding of our region and an expertise in driving excellence at a top institution,” he said.
AUW is an international university with an Asia focus located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. It has a student body drawn from 15 different countries across Asia and the Middle East, and has graduated over 440 women so far.