UNI NAMES NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR
PROFESSOR Iain Martin will replace Jane den Hollander as Deakin University’s new vicechancellor.
Prof Martin will become the seventh person to hold the position when he succeeds Prof den Hollander in May 2019.
Currently vice-chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University in the UK, Prof Martin was appointed after an extensive global search.
He also previously held the position of academic deputy vicechancellor at the University of New South Wales from 2012 to 2016.
Prior to that he spent 12 years at the University of Auckland, where he held a number of positions, including head of surgery, dean of the faculty of medical and health sciences and deputy vice-chancellor of strategic engagement.
The father of two said he was looking forward to taking up the top job at Deakin, a university whose “progress and direction” he admired.
“Deakin is an outstanding exemplar of a university that has delivered regional relevance, global linkages, research excellence and, perhaps, most importantly, a very strong educational portfolio that blends the best of campus and digital delivery into a highly supportive educational ecosystem,” he said.
Deakin chancellor John Stanhope said Prof Martin had an “impressive track record” of academic leadership that made him an ideal fit for the university.
“I was very pleased, as was the council, at the quality of candidates that we received, which I think is a very good reflection on Deakin University and its ranking and its progress, due in no small part to Jane’s leadership,” he said.
“Martin had a style and set of values that is consistent with what we were looking for in this university, including the continuation of a good leadership style and good personal values that we believe is a core strength of this university. We were not looking for someone to turn this place around 180 degrees because we are performing well through the leadership of Jane.”
Prof den Hollander, who was paid more than $1 million in 2017, announced in April she would retire from her position as the university’s administrative chief on or by June 30 next year.
The uni boss was appointed to the top job in 2010, taking over from Sally Walker.
Prof den Hollander’s time as Deakin’s leader has kept the university in the headlines, with the introduction of the trimester system in 2011 as well as the expansion of science and technology facilities at Waurn Ponds.
She was made an Officer of the order of Australia in the 2017 Australia Day awards for her services to education.
Mr Stanhope paid tribute to the outgoing vice-chancellor as a “great leader and ambassador for Deakin”.
“She leaves a legacy of improving the ranking of this uni- versity, bringing more research to the university. But she will be known for her saying ‘Students are our true north’, meaning they are the centre of everything we do,” he said.
“I am grateful that Professor den Hollander has agreed to remain with us to ensure a smooth transition.”