THE new chief executive of the universities' funding council has paid tribute to a North-East university for its contribution to city regeneration and achievements in teaching and research.

Sir Howard Newby, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, toured Sunderland University's St Peter's Campus and met staff and governors.

Sir Howard said: "I am very impressed to discover at first hand the progress the university is making in all its activities - particularly the way in which it is wholeheartedly supporting the city's regeneration.

"Sunderland has state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and learning, allied to research excellence in selected fields.

"The university is an institution of which the city should feel very proud."