University of East London Homepage

UEL Vice-Chancellor

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Professor Patrick McGhee

Professor Patrick McGhee has tendered his resignation from the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London on health grounds. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Joughin, will now become Acting Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.  Professor McGhee’s statement to staff and students is copied below for information.

“Dear Colleagues

Having given the matter considerable thought, I have reluctantly decided to tender my resignation from UEL on health grounds.

Hopefully, these challenges are temporary and I will be able to return to making a full contribution to higher education leadership in the UK in the not-too-distant future. As I'm sure colleagues will understand, I have asked for my privacy and that of those close to me to be respected at this time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues and students for making my time at UEL so enjoyable.

Professor Patrick McGhee”

The Chair of UEL’s Board of Governors, Mark Stephens, has also sent out the following statement:

“On behalf of the Board of Governors and the University I wish Patrick a swift recovery. I am sure he will be back working within the sector in the future.
Patrick achieved a tremendous amount as Vice-Chancellor, and we are all firmly committed to building on this work and on the vision expressed in Transformation for Excellence. The Board of Governors have asked Professor John Joughin to step up as Acting Vice-Chancellor, and I know that John, along with VCG and UMT, is firmly committed to delivering on UEL’s priorities, with the immediate focus on our core business of student recruitment and improving the student experience.

As a Board we are fully committed to Transformation for Excellence, which has delivered many achievements to date (including our highest-ever research grant capture, a Times Higher Award for bringing our home students an international experience, and student sport scholars achieving at the highest levels) and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

Mark Stephens - Chair of Board of Governors”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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