LOS ANGELS--Officials at Harvard and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) praised Harvard Provost Albert Carnesale's achievements yesterday as the University of California (U.C.) Board of Regents approved his appointment as chancellor of UCLA.

Carnesale, 60, who has served since 1995 as the University's provost, said he looked forward to new challenges at UCLA.

"I'm honored and excited by the prospect of leading UCLA, one of the nation's great public universities, at a time of particular challenge for higher education," Carnesale said in a statement.

Colleagues said they were sorry to see him leave Harvard.

In a telephone conference with the U.C. Regents and reporters, Carnesale stressed that he aims to make UCLA one of the best universities in the world.

"When there are informed people around the world who list the great universities, and there are not more than two, I want that list to include UCLA," he said.

U.C. President Richard C. Atkinson recommended Carnesale from among four top candidates. The new chancellor, like the eight other chancellors in the U.C. system, will receive a salary of $222,700 and a large on-campus home with a swimming pool and household help.

Currently, Carnesale receives a salary of $252,788 but does not receive housing.

"I'm extremely happy for him," said Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine, who said Carnesale kept him informed throughout the UCLA chancellor search. "He's a very superb person, a superb academic officer and administrator, and while we've been talking quite extensively about this particular incident, in a way we've known sooner or later something like this would happen."

Carnesale will begin his duties at UCLA, where he will replace outgoing chancellor Charles E. Young, on July 1.

Praise for Carnesale

Harvard officials were unanimous in their acclamation of Carnesale and expressed sadness at his departure.

"It's wonderful for UCLA, terrible for Harvard and a plum for Al Carnesale," said Richard J. Zeckhauser, Ramsey professor of political economy at the Kennedy School of Government and a "good friend" of Carnesale's.

"It's a real loss," said R. Bruce Donoff, dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. "He's been a tremendous addition to the University."

"He has performed admirably and done important things for the ,University," Donoff added. "It's good for UCLA. Their gain is our loss."

Dean of the Graduate School of Education Jerome T. Murphy said the job will draw on Carnesale's talents.