Letter: I Welcome Professor Max Lu

Published on: 28 Apr, 2016
Updated on: 28 Apr, 2016

Professor Max Lu, the new vice chancellor of the University of Surrey.

From Bibhas Neogi

As one of the first batch (1965) of post graduate civil engineering students of the University of Surrey, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Professor Max Lu.

The university has grown and become successful in many fields notably in satellite technology and the newly formed school of veterinary medicine.

Battersea College of Advanced Technology, as it was in its previous incarnation, was famous for its chemical engineering and civil engineering departments. It also flourished under the late Prof Z S Makowski in space structures (generally roof coverings of large spaces).

The university has brought prosperity to Guildford and contributes greatly to British industries in educating and training many graduates who have done better in securing jobs compared with students from other universities.

Student accommodation has been a bit of an issue for the residents of Guildford as the promised number of accommodation within its site had not been fulfilled and consequently put pressure on rental accommodation for the locals.

Guildford is currently drawing up its Local Plan and new housing that would be required to provide for the demand for the next 20 years.

The Highways England is also developing the widening and improvements to the strategic route of the A3. The access to the university from the A3 is an important issue when the new housing proposed by the university is considered.

Guildford would become a truly happy town and continue to enjoy its prestigious ranking as a very desirable area to live and work if the issues of housing and road network are successfully resolved. The university has a very important role to play in this regard.

Let us hope that the vice-chancellor will enhance the position of the university even further in the international arena as well as improve the student accommodation and developments within its premises giving due regard to the sensitive areas of Hog’s Back and the close by Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.