SIR HILARY BECKLES will be the vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies from May 1, 2015.
He will replace Professor E. Nigel Harris who will demit office in April.
This was announced late this evening following an extraordinary meeting of the University Council.
Chair of the Search Committee Dr Marshall Hall said the advertisement for the post attracted in excess of 50 applicants from all over the world and the committee eventually came up with an initial short-list of seven which was eventually whittled down to three candidates who were invited to be interviewed.
As a result of the interview and subsequent discussions, the Committee arrived at a consensus on Sir Hilary as the preferred candidate.
Sir Hilary is well known regionally and extra-regionally and as Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, is currently the longest serving campus principal. (PR/NB)