She will be the first woman to take up the role since the university was founded 30 years ago.
The appointment follows an international search process conducted by a search committee of trustees, faculty and staff in consultation with the university senate.
American-born Indian anthropologist Randeria is the rector of the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, Professor of Social Anthropology and Sociology at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) in Geneva, as well as the director of the Albert Hirschman Center on Democracy at the IHEID. She has published widely on the anthropology of globalization, law, the state and social movements. A German-speaker, she previously served on CEU's Board of Trustees.
Chairman of the board Leon Botstein said, "CEU rightly expects much of its president and rector: wisdom, intelligence, courage, energy, and academic leadership of the highest caliber. Having first-hand knowledge of Shalini as a Trustee on our Board, I know she brings with her all these qualities and more."
Paying tribute to Michael Ignatieff, who steps down at the end of July, Botstein praised his leadership, "which has led CEU to prominence, defended its commitment to excellence and academic freedom and placed the university in such a strong position in Vienna."
Alexander Soros, chair of the search committee said, "We were looking for someone with the intellectual gravitas, managerial skill, diplomatic acumen, and global perspective to lead the university into this next chapter. 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 judgment."
Michael Ignatieff said, "I'm confident Shalini will take our university into the bright future this community deserves."
In accepting the post, Randeria said, "I am deeply honored and look greatly forward to joining the CEU community and working together with its faculty, staff and students, and its worldwide alumni network, to further the mission of CEU and to give it a new home in Vienna, the city which has welcomed the university so enthusiastically."
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