This week the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire announced his intention to retire next summer, bringing a nine year tenure to an end.
LUI STRACCIA looks back at what Professor Les Ebdon CBE has achieved since 2003, when he walked through the doors of what was then known as the University of Luton.
Much has changed since Vice Chancellor Les Ebdon took over the reins at the university, which has made a number of leaps forward and seen real progression.
One of the more obvious differences is the name change, which came about through the merger between the University of Luton and De Montfort University’s (DMU) Bedford campus in 2006.
Professor Ebdon, who will be 65 when he retires next year, was at the centre of the collaboration, and the university has not looked back since.
Andrew Bentley, chairman of the board of governors, said: “Les led the merger of the University of Luton and the Bedford campus of DMU in 2006 and transformed the new University of Bedfordshire into an awardwinning institution with an international reputation for high quality teaching, excellent graduate employment rates, modern facilities, strong student support and world-leading research.” Some of the buildings themselves have changed, too.
As part of a £180m development programme, the Campus Centre in Park Square, Luton, was opened in 2010, followed by Fitzroy Court, in Vicarage Street, last week by Dame Kelly Holmes.
Other landmarks, accolades and events for the university during Professor Ebdon’s reign include:
Being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2011
The late Sir Jimmy Savile receiving an Honorary Doctor of Arts in November 2009 for his lifelong support of the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital
The launch of its new hightech Digital Security and Forensic Laboratory in May 2009 to help in the fight against cyber-crime
Winning the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Award 2011 in the Outstanding Finance Team category
Achieving a top rating in the most recent Quality Assurance Agency audit 2009 for academic standards
Being awarded the gold standard in Investors in People for continuous business improvement, emerging as one of the highest climbers in the independent People & Planet Green League 2011 Mr Bentley added: “When Les was appointed there were fewer than 10,000 students registered.
“Today, the university supports more than 23,000 students, 1,000 staff and has an alumni community of many tens of thousands of people whose lives have, indeed, been transformed by their experiences here.
“Only last week, Les received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rising Stars Awards ceremony in Bedford.
“Turning the university around from a £30m institution to one which has an annual turnover of some £130m today has been an outstanding achievement.
“We are immensely grateful for his contribution to the university and also for his contribution to higher education at local, regional, national and international levels. We will be very sad to lose such an inspirational leader.” Professor Ebdon, who was awarded his CBE in 2009, said: “I must admit to many mixed feelings about my decision as I have enjoyed what will be nine years as Vice Chancellor and am immensely proud of what the university has achieved.
“I am sure that the firm foundations which have been laid, the excellent staff in post and the wisdom of our board of governors, which will appoint my successor, will ensure the continued success of this university.”
