The Vice Chancellor of the University has come out in support of remaining in the EU.

Bob Cryan CBE has so far been quiet on the raging debate.

But with one day to go before Thursday’s referendum, it was announced Mr Cryan had signed a joint statement declaring his support for the Stronger In campaign.

The Vice-Chancellor’s name was signed alongside 102 others from 96 universities across the country, including Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds.

Declaring its backing for remaining, the statement says: “We are gravely concerned about the impact of a UK exit from the EU.

“Every year, universities generate over £73 billion for the UK economy – £3.7bn of which is generated by students from EU countries while supporting 380,000 jobs.”

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The statement adds: “Inside the EU we are better able to work collaboratively on ground-breaking research in areas from cancer to climate change.

“Voluntarily cutting ourselves out of the world’s largest economic bloc would undermine our position as a global leader in science and innovation, impoverish our campuses and limit opportunities for British people.”

Prof Cryan, who at 30 was the youngest professor in Engineering in the country, took up the post as Vice-Chancellor in 2007.

He is also a deputy lieutenant for West Yorkshire Police and last year was included among 50 engineers worldwide appointed as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.