Government welcomes new chair of Universities Australia and farewells Professor Sandra Harding

Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP today congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Western Sydney, Professor Barney Glover, on his appointment as the next chair of Universities Australia.

Mr Pyne also thanked outgoing Chair Professor Sandra Harding for her outstanding service.

“Professor Harding has worked exhaustively with her colleagues throughout Australia to examine and critique reform proposals and displayed diligent guidance and insight. On her watch, Universities Australia has forged an unprecedented consensus about sustaining and improving higher education in Australia. She has highlighted the importance of Australian universities not being left behind in global competition. It is an impressive record,” Mr Pyne said.

“Further, she has done this while sustaining her other senior roles including the leadership of James Cook University, with its strong focus on the tropics, and memberships or directorships of a variety of local, national and international boards and councils,” he said.

Mr Pyne said incoming Chair Professor Glover was a very distinguished university leader whose long experience in diverse institutions around Australia would be a great asset to Universities Australia.

“Professor Glover has a track record in building strategic partnerships and promoting a culture of research excellence. I look forward to working with him in his new role," Mr Pyne said.

Professor Glover will take up his new position on 19 May 2015.