Dundee University’s Chancellor will stand down after 11 years in the post.
Lord Naren Patel was appointed in April 2006 to the most senior role at the university, which involves acting as its ceremonial head, presiding over academic ceremonies and acting as President of the Graduates’ Association.
Over the years, among his other duties, Lord Patel has conferred degrees on thousands of students at the university’s graduation ceremonies and been an “outstanding advocate for the university and its interests”.
He is the fourth person to have been Chancellor in the University’s 50-year history, following HM The Queen Mother (1967-77), Lord Dalhousie (1977-92), and Sir James Black (1992-2006).
At a graduation ceremony last month Lord Patel made headlines when he was reunited with Sarah Beattie, whom he saved at birth.when she was born 14 weeks premature and weighing just 1lb 5oz.
Lord Patel, 79, said: “It has been an honour and a privilege for me to serve as Chancellor of this great university but now is the right time for me to step aside, despite the temptation to carry on forever.
“Having just completed another great week of graduation earlier this summer, being Chancellor has been one of the happiest times of my life.
“My connection with the university stretches back to even before it became a university in its own right.
“Having arrived in Dundee to study medicine in 1958, I graduated in 1964 with a medical degree from the University of St Andrews but had done all of my studying here at Queen’s College in Dundee.
“In my time as Chancellor I have seen the university become ever more widely known for excellence in teaching, an outstanding student experience and research that has impact across the world.
He added: “We have also made great progress in widening access to our courses to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and become more international, bringing students here from all over the world for the unique experience Dundee offers.
“I will continue to follow the activities of the university – and hopefully remain involved in some way – with great interest and know it will go from strength to strength.”
The university will now start the process to find a successor to Lord Patel.
A joint committee of the University Court and Senate will be convened to identify a new Chancellor and will seek suggestions for potential candidates from students and staff.
Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university, said: “Lord Patel’s contribution to the University cannot be overstated.
“He has been an exemplary Chancellor and has become a greatly loved character across our extended community.”
