New Vice-Chancellor

To the bells of Great St Mary's, the former Provost of Yale University will become the second female Vice-Chancellor in the University's 794-year history. The Vice-Chancellor is the principal academic and administrative officer of the University and leads the University for seven years.

HRH Prince Philip, Chancellor of the University, said of her appointment:

"I am delighted to welcome Professor Alison Richard to the position of Vice-Chancellor. She is taking on the most challenging task in the University at a time when discussions about the future of universities have never been more intense. I wish her every success."

Professor Richard, who graduated from Newnham College in 1969, returns to Cambridge after 30 years at Yale where she served as Chair of the Anthropology Department, Director of the Peabody Museum, and, from 1994 to 2002, as Provost.

In the traditional inauguration ceremony, attended by the Regent House (the University's academic parliament) and College Heads of House, Professor Richard will be formally admitted to the office by the Senior Proctor. Wearing the Vice-Chancellor's ceremonial robes for the first time, she will sign the University's Book of Admission, receive her official insignia, and address the congregation.

Professor Tony Badger, Chair of the Search Committee, said:

"We were looking for someone who would take the University forward to the 800th anniversary in 2009, who would respect its academic traditions, but also have a very wide international perspective. Alison's qualities are self-evidently those of a very strong, decisive and talented individual, and I believe we will have much to gain from her leadership."

Vice-Chancellor-Emeritus, Professor Sir Alec Broers, who hands over the reins after seven very full years will continue to lead the Royal Academy of Engineering and engage in a variety of scientific and educational roles. In his vice-chancellorship, Cambridge topped the Research Assessment Exercise and the Teaching Quality Assessment above all UK universities. Major benefactions and partnerships such as those with Microsoft, the Gates Scholarships, and Unilever, and new faculty buildings for English and Divinity were begun in his term of office, adding to Cambridge's reputation as a centre of research excellence and a leading international destination for the top students and staff.

Professor Richard joins the UK educational scene with student tuition fees and general under-funding reaching a critical point. Speaking of her return to the university where she first studied anthropology, Professor Richard said:

"It is at once exciting and sobering to take up office as Vice-Chancellor of a University that is nearly 800 years old and a precious national asset. Major financial challenges confront universities in the UK today. I look forward to joining the effort to find good solutions and, above all, to doing my best to help Cambridge remain among the finest academic institutions in the world."