UH President Evan Dobelle praised Englert for his "multicultural sensitivity" and said his help would allow Manoa "to reach into Asia and the Pacific."

Dobelle also said Englert "rightfully sees the University of Hawai'i as the hub for intellectual pursuits in the Pacific."

Dobelle sent the recommendation to the board during its regular monthly meeting, held at Leeward Community College.

As pro vice-chancellor at Victoria University ­ the title is a British term ­ Englert, 52, was second in command, reporting directly to the vice-chancellor, who ran the university. The relationship is identical to the one he will have with Dobelle.

Englert, who received strong support from Hawai'i's Native Hawaiian community based on initiatives for the Maori he began at Victoria University, is an internationally recognized scientist and part of the Mars Odyssey orbiter project team.

Englert was told of his confirmation by telephone and he thanked the UH community for "the faith you have in me."

He said he was looking forward to being on campus as soon as possible "to learn more and help move the campus forward as far as it can go."

Englert's appointment runs from Aug. 1, 2002, to July 31, 2005.

This will be the first time in 16 years that the Manoa campus has had a separate chancellor. Englert will earn $254,000 ­ compared with the $170,000 paid former UH President Kenneth Mortimer, who also was Manoa chancellor.

In meetings on campus last week, Englert spoke about his philosophy of education, his belief in dynamic leadership and his successful moves in New Zealand "to ensure that Maori faculty came aboard."

Englert has a doctorate in nuclear chemistry, but made it clear he recognized the value of a liberal arts education. In telling the story of a science class he taught, he said he "did not forget about teaching them about Steinbeck while we taught them nuclear physics."

And he pledged himself to action.

"In an ideal university there should not be any administrative inertia," he said. "Look at the ideas, reject them or move them on."

Englert's selection, with his strong background in both scientific ventures and fund-raising, reflects Dobelle's preference that the Manoa leader understand the rigors of a research university with its constant need for funding.

At Victoria University, Englert was also Dean of Science, Architecture and Design.

The other finalist was Lynn Jelinski, a private educational consultant in Florida who has a doctorate in chemistry from UH and who most recently was vice chancellor for research and graduate studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.