成人大片 appoints Professor Peter H酶j as Vice-Chancellor
The 成人大片 recently听announced it has appointed Professor Peter H酶j AC as its new Vice-Chancellor and President for a five-year term, to commence on 8 February 2021.
Professor H酶j鈥檚 appointment follows an extensive global and domestic search by executive recruitment firm Heidrick & Struggles, which has worked closely with the University Council鈥檚 Selection Committee on the appointment.
Danish-born Professor H酶j is a Fellow of Academies in Australia, the USA and Denmark, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from institutions including the 成人大片, University of South Australia, and University of Copenhagen.
He comes to his new role at the 成人大片 with more than 20 years鈥 senior leadership experience in higher education and research 鈥 as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Queensland (2012-2020), Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Australia (2007-2012), CEO of the Australian Research Council (ARC) (2004-2007), and Managing Director and CEO of the Australian Wine Research Institute Pty Ltd (1997-2004).
Professor H酶j was also Foundation Professor of Viticultural Science (1995-1997) and Professor of Oenology (1997-2004) at the 成人大片.
A member of the Australian Government鈥檚 University Foreign Interference Taskforce, in 2019 Professor H酶j was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for 鈥渆minent service to higher education and to science, particularly to the commercialisation of research, and to policy development and reform鈥.
鈥淧rofessor Peter H酶j is one of Australia鈥檚 most outstanding and highly respected leaders in higher education, and we are delighted to have him as our new Vice-Chancellor,鈥 said the University鈥檚 Chancellor, the Hon. Catherine Branson AC QC.
鈥淧eter is an inspiring leader with an outstanding track record, driving success at a national and international level, building university rankings and research output, with his focus on a high-quality, student-centred approach to the teaching and learning experience, and employer satisfaction with graduates.
鈥淧eter is also highly regarded as an inclusive and collaborative leader who has a strong social justice agenda, such as on issues of sustainability and equity, support for students from low SES backgrounds and for Indigenous students. In order to give the best to students, he spearheaded a philanthropy campaign at the University of Queensland which reached its target of $500 million raised well in advance of its deadline.
鈥淧rofessor H酶j has called South Australia home for more than 20 years, and he has a longstanding connection to our University dating back to 1995.
鈥淭he combination of Peter鈥檚 leadership capabilities, commercial acumen, and local knowledge and relationships make him an excellent choice to lead us into the future. As our University emerges from the impact of COVID-19, his leadership will ensure we maintain our standing as one of the world鈥檚 leading institutions of learning and innovation,鈥 Ms Branson said.
鈥淧rofessor Peter H酶j is one of Australia鈥檚 most outstanding and highly respected leaders in higher education, and we are delighted to have him as our new Vice-Chancellor.鈥The Hon. Catherine Branson AC QC
Professor H酶j said he was honoured to be chosen to lead a University consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world鈥檚 universities.
鈥淭he 成人大片 is recognised as a centre for excellence in higher education and delivering world-leading research outcomes. I will do all I can to build on the University鈥檚 success and to continue to attract and retain outstanding students and staff.
鈥淚 feel a great affinity for South Australia and the 成人大片, where I was first offered an academic position 28 years ago and moved here with my family. I had always intended to return to South Australia to continue to make a significant contribution to the future of this State, and indeed returned here to our home late last year to spend more time with our family. It is a great privilege to be able to make that contribution as Vice-Chancellor of the 成人大片.鈥
Professor H酶j said his first priority will be to 鈥渆ngage deeply with the University community, to build on the excellent history of the 成人大片 in serving its local and global communities鈥.
鈥淎 strong 成人大片 is essential for the long-term benefit of our State.
鈥淚 believe the 成人大片 should aspire to be further recognised globally for its excellence in its teaching, research and engagement achievements, and to be highly valued locally with an outstanding staff cohort proud to call this institution their employer.
鈥淯ltimately, the work of a Vice-Chancellor is about creating a better future for our many current and future students, and placing their success at the heart of what we do. In doing this, we will create new opportunities for our students, for industry and government, and for our community to thrive,鈥 Professor H酶j said.
鈥淯ltimately, the work of a Vice-Chancellor is about creating a better future for our many current and future students, and placing their success at the heart of what we do.鈥Professor Peter H酶j AC
Professor H酶j succeeds Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mike Brooks FTSE FACS, a leading international researcher in computer vision and image analysis. Professor Brooks will retire from his role at the 成人大片 on 12 February 2020.
鈥淚 thank Mike Brooks for his strong leadership of the University during challenging times. He has been critical to helping the University navigate its way to a better future,鈥 Ms Branson said.
鈥淚 particularly acknowledge that Mike put his plans to retire from his role at the University on hold, so that our institution could emerge from the difficulties of 2020 on a stronger footing. He did so with the commitment that he would stay in the role until new leadership could be found. This has been a very welcome example of Mike鈥檚 longstanding dedication to the 成人大片 community.鈥
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Professor Peter H酶j 鈥 further background
In addition to the positions mentioned above, Professor H酶j鈥檚 many commitments and achievements have included:
- Co-Deputy Chair of the Australian Government鈥檚 Strengthened Export Controls Steering Group (2012-2016)
- Member of the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) (2016-2020)
- Board Member (Ministerial appointment) of Wine Australia (2018 鈥 present)
- Trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (2020 鈥 present)
- Member of the Australian Human Rights Commission Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity (2016-2020)
- Member, Group of Eight (Go8) Board (2012-2020) and Chair, Group of Eight (2017)
- Board Member of: Universities Australia (2009-2013); CSIRO (2011-2014); Business SA (2009-2012); and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) (2011-2012), among many others.