Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCU Welcomes its Fifth President

VCU Welcomes its Fifth President (19.8.2009)

Dr. Michael Rao, president of Virginia Commonwealth University and president of the VCU Health System

Virginia Commonwealth University Welcomes its Fifth President

Doha, Qatar - Dr. Michael Rao became the fifth president of Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia) and president of the VCU Health System.

Dr. Rao's appointment to lead the largest university in Virginia was approved unanimously by the VCU Board of Visitors and was recommended by a university-wide presidential search committee that conducted a national search for university president. Dr. Rao comes to VCU with the experience of three successful presidencies at universities of increasing size and complexity. Most recently, he served as president and professor at Central Michigan University, a public doctoral research institution with 28,000 students and an operating budget of more than $400 million.

Dr. Rao was one of the three longest-serving presidents among Michigan's 15 public universities. During his nine-year tenure at Central Michigan University, the university significantly increased faculty positions and research productivity, developed academic programs and improved performance. Under Dr. Rao's leadership, Central Michigan University gained approval to establish a medical school and M.D. degree program, partnering with large health care systems.

Dr. Rao previously served as chancellor of Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Mont., and as president of Mission College in Santa Clara, Calif. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Dr. Rao served in the private sector as a higher education academic program planner. He also served as assistant to the president at the University of Florida, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).

"The university and health system communities, the VCU Board of Visitors, the VCU Health System Board, President Emeritus Trani, and the greater Richmond community have shown us a very warm welcome. Monica, Miguel, Aiden, and I sincerely appreciate the reception extended to us," said Dr. Rao in his welcome address to the VCU community.

"It is an honor to serve as your president, and both Monica and I look forward to serving VCU. There is significant evidence of the excellent work that all of you have invested in this great institution. The university and health system are poised to enter an unprecedented era of excellence in teaching and learning, research, creative work, clinical care, and outreach. Working collaboratively to fully integrate our campuses, we will strengthen our academic foundation to help propel us forward," added Dr. Rao.

Dr. Rao also commented on the strategic plan, VCU 2020, that has guided the university's development since its formal adoption by the Board of Visitors in February of 2006, saying the accomplishments have been significant: "The university is committed to providing attention to the strengthening of VCU's academic profile: to enhancing the reputation of our faculty, and to ensuring its recognition; to increasing expectations and opportunities for students; to continuous improvement in facilities and the services we provide; to advancing further the quality of programs and ensuring multi-campus collaboration; and to strengthening our commitment to diversity and advancing multiculturalism," he said.

Dr. Michael Rao earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of South Florida and a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Florida. Dr. Rao and his wife, Monica, a professional watercolorist and graphic designer, have two sons, Miguel and Aiden.

About Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar:
Established in the US in 1838 and in Qatar in 1998, Virginia Commonwealth University offers students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic, interior design and painting & printmaking and a Master of Fine Arts degree in design studies. A team of highly skilled professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional design field of their choice. VCUQatar regularly organizes and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class conferences and holds an annual fashion show. VCUQatar is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu

About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people. The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.
For more information please visit: http://www.qf.org.qa