A Sunderland academic scoops OBE for services to higher education

Prof Christine Ennew, who is pro-vice chancellor and provost of Nottingham University’s campus in Malaysia, was named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to developing international relations in higher education.

Christine, 56, a lifelong Sunderland AFC fan, left the city when she was 18 to take up her place at Cambridge University, but is a regular visitor back to Wearside where lots of her family, including her proud dad, Alan Ennew, 83, still lives.

She said: “I went to Grindon Infants School, Broadway Juniors and finally the Bede School, before it became a college, and I really benefitted from some fantastic teachers there who really supported and encouraged me.”

Christine said when she comes back to Sunderland she always likes to visit the coastal areas of Roker and Seaburn.

Her career has seen a significant contribution to Nottingham University’s internationalisation programme, which has helped to drive the UK’s recognition as an international leader.

She played a key role in the development of the university’s international campuses in Malaysia and China and during her time at the helm in Malaysia, where she presides over 5,000 students and 600 staff, she has overseen continued growth in the number of students studying there and major changes in research and community engagement.

Christine said: “I was both very surprised and absolutely delighted to get this recognition. It is a genuine honour and one of which I am really proud.”

After studying at Cambridge and Nottingham, Christine developed an international academic reputation in financial services and tourism. She became a professor at the age of 35 while at Nottingham and has since held a number of senior posts.

Nottingham’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway, said: ”Christine is an accomplished academic, a superb leader, and a perfect role model. She has given great service to our university and made contributions which will endure.

“This public honour is welcome recognition for the value of those contributions.”

Christine’s dad said: “I am absolutely proud as punch. She has worked very hard.”