Professor David Mba, a Nigerian-born academic, has emerged as the new Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University (BCU) in the United Kingdom.
Professor Mba is the second Black Vice Chancellor in the United Kingdom, after Professor Charles Egbu.
Egbu from Abatete, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, is the current Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University.
Like Professor Mba, Egbu is also of Nigerian heritage, a pointer to the fact that Nigerians have come of age in the UK education sector.
Professor Mba, who once chaired the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, will take up his new role on 1 October, which coincides with Nigeria’s independence celebrations.
He is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and has led numerous commercial and publicly funded research projects, culminating in over 300 journal and conference publications.
He is joining BCU from the University of the Arts London (UAL), where he is Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise.
Professor Mba also previously worked at Cranfield University, London South Bank University and De Montfort University.
“My priority will be to ensure that everything we do focuses on unleashing the potential of our students, ensuring a consistent focus on their experience, alongside recognising, celebrating, and further developing the talent of our staff,” he said in reaction to his appointment.
His appointment was welcomed by the University’s new Chair of the Board of Governors, Anita Bhalla, and BCU’s Chancellor, Sir Lenny Henry.
“David brings a wealth of experience and expertise, as well as a determination to build on BCU’s many successes with a razor-sharp focus on ensuring our students have every opportunity to achieve everything they aspire to for themselves,” Bhalla, who oversaw the appointment, said.
Sir Henry said: “It is a huge role at an ambitious and growing institution, and David will bring to it his track record in advocating for social justice.”
Outgoing Vice Chancellor, Philip Plowden, wrote on Twitter:
“Congratulations to Professor David Mba announced as the incoming Vice Chancellor at BCU.
“It will be a huge wrench to retire from this unique university in October, but I’m delighted to leave it in such safe hands for the next stage of its journey.”
