UTS has opened the selection process for its new Chancellor to gather suggestions from the wider community of alumni and partners as well as UTS staff and students, looking for a candidate with the potential not only to guide the university but to play a role in supporting and developing Australia's higher education sector.
In August the highly respected Professor Vicki Sara AO announced that she would retire in February 2016 after 11 years as UTS Chancellor.
UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said Professor Sara had been an exemplar for a role that now went far beyond the ceremonial to incorporate critical governance and strategy aspects, and UTS Council felt it would benefit from the opinions of those with an interest in the university's future in identifying a suitable successor. That included staff, students, alumni, industry partners and any organisations with a connection to the university.
"The Chancellor is the Chair of UTS Council, the university's governing body, an honorary position customarily filled by a person who has a high level of public esteem," Professor Brungs said.
"In her tenure Vicki Sara, a research scientist, built on that template as a passionate architect and driver of our strategic vision, including being a key player in the transformation of the City campus over the past seven years.
"On the bigger stage she has a made a significant contribution to the Australian higher education sector, twice serving as Chair of University Chancellors' Council among other appointments.
"The Chancellor works co-operatively with the Vice-Chancellor and the senior executives of the University to provide counsel and strategic advice to support the university's ethos and objectives, but also is a high-level bridge to governments, the business community, the professions and the wider community.
"We are looking for the person who will help the university build on Professor Sara's achievements and take us closer to our goal of being a world-leading university of technology."
Candidate suggestions can be submitted to UTS Council via the University Secretary until Thursday 5 November.
- UTS is gathering suggestions from the wider community in identifying a suitable successor to Chancellor Professor Vicki Sara, who will retire in February
- The university is looking for a candidate to help build on Professor Sara's achievements, both in guiding the university and contributing to Australia's higher education sector