NEWLY knighted Sir David Melville steps down as vice chancellor of the University of Kent at the end of this month.

He leaves with his multiversity concept coming alive in Medway and closer academic links with business. But he fears that Kent is still in decline. He spoke to about six eventful years.

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Turnover doubled, student numbers up 40 per cent, applications up 54 per cent, improved league ranking, lots of new buildings, multiversity going strong, knighthood.

Not a bad CV for Professor, now Sir, David Melville.

The six Melville years have seen unprecedented change, including new buildings. But Sir David wants to be known as something more than Dave the Builder.

He and his team have made their university the fastest-growing in the country, with an enhanced reputation that has taken it up the league table from middling - around 40th - to 28th.

Sir David has encouraged the university to work more closely with business and the local community, involving it in wider economic issues.

It is therefore surprising to hear of his concern about Kent's "decline". "It's a big worry that our students can't find local jobs."

He inherited a deficit but has made a surplus of £1m - £4m a year ever since. "Yes, I am a financial hardliner," he says.

Sir David has also widened the university's vision, developing an international dimension through the Transmanche University, a campus in Brussels and links with institutions in Virginia.

His strength is strategic management rather than structural change. "I've always been interested in how one person can make a difference to 2,000 staff.

"Strategic management can't be done by sitting in your office doing emails. You have to be about. You need to encourage people in the belief that this direction is one they can all benefit from."

The university now operates in 25 locations around Kent, a key feature in a county that used to be dubbed a varsity desert. Higher education is now well up the agenda. But Prof Melville does not see it making a huge strategic difference.

At 63, Prof Melville believes he has done as much as he can at Kent and is going at the right time to hand over to Prof Julia Goodfellow.

* See the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, August 9) for the full interview.