The acting president of Memorial University, who withdrew his candidacy for the job last year after a controversy over hiring procedure, is now the leading candidate to run the University of New Brunswick.

Dr. Eddy Campbell revealed on Tuesday he has been unanimously recommended for the presidency at U.N.B., where the search committee praised him for his "unique blend of academic and administrative achievement."

Campbell said in a message on Memorial's website that he would be travelling to New Brunswick next week to meet people at U.N.B. A final decision will be made after the visit.

Campbell withdrew his name from the competition for the Memorial president's position in August. The university became embroiled in a national debate when provincial Education Minister Joan Burke admitted that she personally interviewed two candidates for the president's position and rejected them.

Bob Simmonds, who was appointed chairman of MUN's Board of Regents late last year after the controversy, said he would be personally sad to see Campbell go.

"Eddy has done just a tremendous job as acting president of the university," he said. "He's full of enthusiasm and ability. And I'm sure he'll just do a top-notch job for U.N.B."

Campbell didn't have much to say Tuesday when asked by CBC News if he could have done more to convince the province of his abilities.

"The truth is I have no idea what the problem was, none." he said.

In the meantime, Memorial University Faculty Association president Ross Klein said Campbell's departure will leave MUN in a crisis, since all of the top people involved in the day-to-day operation of the university are working on an interim basis.

Education Minister Joan Burke denied Tuesday that there was any crisis.

"I certainly think that we have a very well established university, and we certainly have some very high-calibre people over there," she said. "And you know, it's certainly a lot of people employed there at the university, and the leadership, I think, certainly see us through."

Campbell will stay at Memorial until his contract expires in August.