Professor Ross Milbourne, who retired as UTS Vice-Chancellor just under a year ago, was named an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in yesterday's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Serving as UTS Vice-Chancellor for 12 years from 2002, Professor Milbourne was honoured for "distinguished service to higher education, to academic leadership and administration, to the promotion of excellence in teaching and research, as an economist, and to professional tertiary learning associations."
"Professor Ross Milbourne is a remarkable Australian, who has made an outstanding contribution to our country and to the region," said UTS Chancellor Professor Vicki Sara.
"His achievements have followed three major strands, firstly as an internationally regarded economist and researcher who has contributed influentially to education, research and innovation policy.
"Secondly, under his inspirational leadership as Vice-Chancellor, UTS achieved national and international recognition for excellence in teaching and research, and he personally fostered strong values of community and equity in the university.
"Thirdly, on the wider stage of Australian higher education he has played a leading role in supporting the quality and coherence of Australia's national universities system, and promoting its social and economic contribution to the Australian community."
Professor Sara said that as Chair of the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) from 2009 to 2011, Professor Milbourne had led a national debate on the impact of international students on the Australian economy which led to positive changes in visa processes.
"One of his greatest legacies as ATN Chair was playing a pivotal role in the debate around the distribution of research funding to Australian universities," Professor Sara said. "He worked to ensure that research funding was not distributed exclusively to a select group of institutions, but rather that excellent research was funded wherever it occurred.
"His advice on higher education policy and funding inconsistencies influenced the former Howard government to change its approach and provide stronger support to the sector."
Professor Sara said Professor Milbourne remained an active figure in higher education, most recently appointed to oversee a series of consultations on a proposed university-based institute to replace the Federal Government's Office of Learning and Teaching.
Also listed in this year's honours was UTS Council member Russell Taylor, who was named a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order Of Australia.
His award was for "significant service to the community as a cultural leader and public sector executive in the field of Indigenous affairs".
Mr Taylor is Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
- UTS Vice-Chancellor for 12 years from 2002, Professor Ross Milbourne, has been honoured for distinguished service to higher education in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list
- Also named in this year's honours was UTS Council member Russell Taylor, who was awarded for significant service to the community in the field of Indigenous affairs