Professor Salini Randeria is the first woman and the sixth person to be appointed as the President and Rector of Central European University (CEU) since its inception 30 years ago.
“CEU expects a wise, courageous, energetic and intelligent president and rector,” said Leon Botstein, chairman of the Board, welcoming Prof. Randeria’s appointment. “Having first-hand knowledge of Shalini as a Trustee on our Board, I know she holds all these qualities and more.”
Who is Shalini Randeria?
Shalini Randeria is an American-born Indian anthropologist with a distinguished academic record. Shalini, who is presently the Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, and Professor of Social Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, has widely published on the anthropology of globalisation, law and social movements.
“We were looking for someone with the intellectual gravitas, diplomatic acumen, managerial skill, and global perspective to lead the University into this next chapter,” states Alexander Soros, Chair of the Search Committee, about the appointment of Prof. Randeria. “In a field of outstanding candidates, Shalini Randeria stood out as that person.”
“I would like to thank my fellow members of the Search Committee for their thoroughness, hard work and excellent judgement,” he added.
“I am deeply honoured and look forward to joining the CEU community and working together with its faculty, staff and students and its global alumni network,” Prof. Randeria, who has previously served CEU’s Board of Trustees, expresses, accepting the post. “I aim to take the mission of CEU further and give it a new home in Vienna, the city that has welcomed the university so enthusiastically.”
