Vice-Chancellor receives knighthood
Posted on 1 January 2002
Professor Cooke has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of York since October 1993, following a distinguished career at University College London, where he was Head of the Geography Department and then a Vice-Provost. He is currently President of the Royal Geographic Society and a board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
"Naturally I am delighted to receive this accolade, and I hope my colleagues feel that they can share some of the credit for it," said Professor Cooke.
During his time at York, the number of students has risen from 5,200 to over 9,000. The University is now placed second nationally for its teaching standards and sixth for its research. Alongside the pursuit of academic excellence, the other priority has been to build closer links between the University and the city.
Stressing the team effort involved, he said the University had built up stronger relationships through music, through collaboration with schools, through working with museums and art galleries, and with the Minster.
It has also seen closer work with health service organisations with the establishment of the Hull York Medical School, which is to open to students in October 2003.