Professor Chris Rudd will take over as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Provost at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) this summer.

He succeeds Professor Nick Miles OBE, who is returning to the UK after five highly successful years in charge of UNNC.

During his time at the helm, Professor Miles has overseen an expansion of the student body, developments in research capacity, new collaborations with business and government, and growth of the physical infrastructure of the University in Ningbo.

Professor Rudd, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement since 2007, has extensive experience of senior academic management. As Professor of Mechanical Engineering, he has worked extensively with China’s emerging corporate sector to build long lasting partnerships that benefit both countries – meeting China’s needs for technology and talent and the western need for new markets.

Professor Rudd said: “UNNC is a unique and exciting place and I really feel honoured to be asked to help steer it through the next phase of its evolution.  This is an opportunity to work with some inspiring people at an extraordinary time and I look forward greatly to working with our partners, staff and students to continuing making history in Ningbo.”

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement, he has brought many Chinese corporates into UK partnerships and taken technology transfer missions to many of China’s first and second tier cities – focusing on energy, aerospace, automotive, food and drink, creative industries, pharma/healthcare and financial services.

Professor Rudd has launched many high-value partnerships and created Nottingham’s Asia Business Centre to sustain those collaborations. He led Nottingham’s presence at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and chairs the Nottingham Confucius Institute. He is also a Board Director of the China Britain Business Council and a guest Professor at Jilin University.

In 2013 he was awarded the Changbaishan Friendship Award(长白山友谊奖) by the Chinese Government. He is a regular speaker at Sino-UK business events, promoting partnership, transnational education and the role of universities in building cultural and economic bridges and supporting business growth.

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Provost, he will work with the senior management team to lead UNNC during its next phase of development.

The University has a dynamic internationalisation strategy and has taken a pioneering role in China, as the first overseas academic institution granted permission to set up a Sino-foreign collaborative university inside the People’s Republic. Since opening in 2004, UNNC has grown from 250 students to almost 7,000.

Professor Miles has been Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Provost since 2010 and will hand over formally to his successor on August 1, 2015.

Professor Miles said: “It has been an honour to have had this opportunity to lead UNNC through the past five years and to work with such great people. Our students and graduates are just fantastic and their ingenuity, enthusiasm and energy never ceases to amaze me in whatever they do; they are UNNCers!

“It has been a privilege working with such a great leadership team in helping shape and guide the University and having the support and guidance of President Yang Fujia, Mme Xu Yafen of Wanli Education Group and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway.

“I’m really pleased to be handing over to Chris, who has a deep connection with China and with UNNC and who will lead this university to even greater achievements.”

Professor Yang Fujia, President of UNNC, said: “My heartfelt thanks go to Professor Miles for his excellent leadership over the past five years.

“I am delighted Professor Rudd has been appointed to lead UNNC through its next phase of development. UNNC will be in safe hands and I look forward to working with Professor Rudd in his new role.”

Professor Sir David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, said: “This change in leadership comes at an exciting time for UNNC and our collaborations in China more widely. Nick’s visionary leadership will leave a lasting legacy for past and future generations of students and alumni, and a secure platform for Professor Rudd to build on.

“I am delighted Professor Rudd will be our new Provost. He is an experienced PVC with extensive knowledge of working in China. I am confident UNNC will go from strength to strength under his leadership.”