Professor Rajani Naidoo has been appointed as the University of Bath’s Vice-President (Community & Inclusion), a role that will commence at the beginning of February 2022.
Professor Naidoo is Professor in Higher Education Management and Director of the International Centre for Higher Education Management in the School of Management. She holds a UNESCO Chair in Higher Education Management. She has held a range of faculty and management positions in the UK and South Africa including in an institution which aimed to contribute to the transformation of higher education in post-apartheid South Africa. She is Visiting Professor, Chair for Critical Studies in HE Transformation at Nelson Mandela University South Africa and sits on advisory and steering committees for organisations including the British Council and the European Foundation for Management Development. Professor Naidoo has also been Head of the University of Bath’s Race Equality Taskforce since October 2020.
In this new role of Vice-President (Community & Inclusion), Professor Naidoo will focus on supporting a thriving, successful and inclusive University community of staff and students at all levels. She will lead on our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, support wellbeing and other personnel matters as well as representing the University on relevant issues externally.
Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, said:
“I am very pleased to announce that Professor Naidoo will be taking up the role of Vice-President (Community & Inclusion) and wish to congratulate her most warmly on the appointment. She brings a hugely impressive track record to the role and indeed has already made significant contributions to our University. I look forward to working with her and the wider leadership team to tackle the challenges we face and to help ensure all in our community can thrive.”
Professor Rajani Naidoo said:
“I am committed to working with colleagues, students and the senior leadership team to implement actions that support wellbeing; and to catalyse change so that enhancing equality and inclusion becomes embedded across our institution. The inspirational work undertaken by members of our community provides an important foundation to remove barriers and attract, recognise and reward diverse group of staff and students; sustaining a vibrant institutional culture and strengthening our excellence in research, teaching, engagement and impact.”