Terence Kealey steps down as Buckingham v-c

Terence Kealey has retired from his position as vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham, the privately funded institution has announced.

July 4, 2014
Chris Parr

Professor Kealey, who has led the university for the past 13 years, announced he was stepping down today, the last day of the institution’s term. He will continue to be involved in Buckingham’s fund-raising campaigns, a statement said.

“My time at Buckingham has been wonderful and I have been supported by some fabulous colleagues,” Professor Kealey said.

“But the university is flourishing so now would be good time to leave, and I have a big research project to complete, namely the work on the economics of science I am pursuing with colleagues at Buckingham and at the Cato Institute in Washington DC, and the effort that that requires is not compatible with the demands of a vice-chancellorship, so I am slipping from one harness into another.”

He added that the university was “like a big family” to him.

Professor Kealey trained initially in medicine at Bart’s Hospital Medical School, London, before specialising in clinical biochemistry. He studied for his doctorate at the University of Oxford, where he worked first as a Medical Research Council training fellow and then as a Wellcome Trust senior research fellow in clinical science.

He went on to lecture in the department of clinical biochemistry at the University of Cambridge for 13 years, before leaving to join Buckingham.

Buckingham’s chairman of council, Robert Vanderplank, said: “Those of us who knew the university in 2000 when Professor Kealey was appointed often ask ourselves whether it would even still exist were it not for his tireless and dedicated work.

“Universities these days ask a great deal of their vice-chancellors, not only in day-to-day management, but also by the constant stream of outward-facing activities with donors, friends, potential students, alumni and collaborating institutions.

“Professor Kealey has been a wonderful champion for the university, enhancing our reputation all over the world.”

Deputy vice-chancellor, Alistair Alcock, will act as vice-chancellor until a permanent appointment is made, the university said.

chris.parr@tsleducation.com

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Reader's comments (2)

#1 Submitted by ... on July 7, 2014 - 10:55am
Professor Terence Kealey is a remarkable academic who has long been a champion of an independent not for profit university sector which is is the type of university which is predominant in the USA and which provides a more pluralist system of higher education in the UK.
#2 Submitted by Aldwyn Cooper on July 10, 2014 - 1:23pm
I am much saddened to hear of Terence Kealey’s resignation as Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham. Established in 1970, the University College and then University remained very small in student numbers and perhaps in respect until the beginning of Terence’s tenure. In his eleven years as VC, Buckingham has grown in size, in portfolio, in financial security and international reputation. His contribution to his own institution has been substantial. However, the contribution that Terence has made to debate in the sector on a wide range of topics is just as important. For a long time Terence was almost a sole voice representing the non state funded independent sector and he has assisted the development of the more diverse sector that we see today. He has always maintained an unshakeable belief in ethics, academic freedom and honesty. His beliefs have not always fully persuaded others, even those in the alternative sector but his interventions were always intellectually astute, well argued and valuable. He will be missed. Nonetheless, I am sure that Terence will continue to make a valuable input, both through the research to which he wants to return and I am sure from continued interventions on behalf of Buckingham and in support of the principles that he holds.

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