September 2004
People

University appoInts first race equality champion

The University has appointed its first-ever Race Equality Champion as it continues to strengthen its status as a diversity champion in Higher Education.

Uduak Archibong, who has also become the University's first Professor of Diversity, will take the lead on all race equality issues. The post has been established as part of the University's Race Equality strategy.

Currently, 15 per cent of the staff and 48 per cent of the students within the University are from a minority ethnic background, where ethnicity is known.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Taylor said: "For this post we wanted someone with a strong commitment to promoting racial equality, but also someone credible to black and minority ethnic staff and students and to the management groups and committees to which they will report. Professor Archibong is all of these things."

Uduak said: "I relish the opportunities afforded by these two posts in furthering the future development of diversity research and the growing profile of diversity in the University."

Among Uduak's responsibilities will be to encourage and support an increase in black and minority ethnic representation on University committees at all levels.

The Chair in Diversity encompasses a cross-University role and a specific Health and Social Care function, reflecting Uduak's experience.

Her nursing career began in Nigeria in 1979 and she came to the UK in 1992 to study for her PhD in Nursing.

A new Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Forum has also been launched to promote the University's approach to race equality and good race relations.

University Equality and Diversity Adviser Naseem Zaman said: "The forum is there to provide cross-disciplinary role models and advocates for progress in making diversity a reality. It also offers an informal support network for BME staff."

28 September 2004

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