Memorial University of Newfoundland president Axel Meisen will be leaving his job eight months earlier than expected.

Meisen has accepted a post with the Alberta Research Council, and will step down as president on Dec. 31, the university said in a statement Friday.

Memorial University president Axel Meisen will be resigning his post effective Dec. 31.
(CBC)

Meisen, who has been president since 1999, had been expected to retire next August.

"I have had the pleasure of working with fine students and colleagues in the university, in government and in the wider community. I thank them sincerely for their support and understanding since I came to the university," Meisen said in a statement.

Meisen, an engineer by training, focused Memorial's research and development efforts, and oversaw a more aggressive recruiting strategy.

With the population of Newfoundland and Labrador in decline — and with enrolment of school-age children dropping steeply — Memorial has been pitching itself energetically to prospective students in other provinces and abroad.

Consequently, Memorial's enrolment has been climbing.

Meisen said that increase, improved infrastructure and raises in annual research funds are among the items that have given him satisfaction.

In recent months, Meisen has been at odds with Premier Danny Williams and the Progressive Conservative government, which wants Sir Wilfred Grenfell College to be independent, but under a shared board of regents with Memorial, by next year.

Meisen will work at the Alberta Research Council in a newly created position titled chair of foresight. He will be responsible for identifying areas where Alberta can excel in innovations.

Memorial, which had already begun a campaign to recruit a new president, said vice-president (academic) Eddy Campbell will begin serving as acting president on Jan. 1 until a new president is appointed.