On the eve of his retirement, the University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Advancement) Professor William Purcell has been honoured as a leading figure in supporting higher education in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), an international association of educational institutions, has awarded Professor Purcell its 2017 CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award.
Presented today at the 2018 CASE Asia-Pacific Advancement Conference in Hong Kong, the award recognises Professor Purcell’s “distinguished accomplishments that have made a significant and lasting impact on UTS’s future… and his pivotal role in laying the foundation for CASE governance in the Asia-Pacific region”.
“Professor Purcell is a great champion of CASE and of the advancement professions,” said CASE president and CEO Sue Cunningham. “He is well respected by all who know him across the university community.
“As Vice-Chair of the CASE Asia-Pacific Advisory Council from 2012 to 2014, when I served as Chair, I very much enjoyed working with Bill. In this role, he contributed significantly to the governance and growth of CASE Asia-Pacific and the establishment of the first CASE Asia Pacific Board. He also helped CASE build awareness and involvement with Universities Australia and the Federal Government of Australia.”
The award citation notes that for UTS Professor Purcell “has led transformational change in the university’s approach to advancement from start-up to a mature and dynamic operation”.
“His vision and ability to inspire and empower others to carry it forward into everything they do has seen the university’s achievements and reputation soar.”
Professor Purcell came to UTS in April 2009 from the University of Newcastle where he had been Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Dean of Business, previously having held senior roles with the University of New South Wales and the University of Tokyo.
His original appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International) was quickly expanded to include the new Advancement portfolio, seeking to further harness his vision and enthusiasm for institutional advancement.
Professor Purcell saw the potential in involving alumni and industry at the highest levels of the university’s strategic direction and established the Vice-Chancellor’s Industry Advisory Board in 2009. He also introduced the UTS:Luminaries program, an exclusive group of high-profile alumni who serve as ambassadors and reputation-builders.
He initiated UTS’s Key Technology Partnership program, with the goal of establishing flagship engagement for research collaborations and joint teaching programs with leading institutions worldwide. He also grew the UTS International Alumni Program to include new and active chapters in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, New Delhi, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and London.
The CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award recognises inspirational advancement professionals whose accomplishments have made a significant and lasting impact on institutional advancement and whose life and character have earned the respect and admiration of fellow colleagues.
CASE supports more than 3,700 schools, colleges and universities worldwide in developing their alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing operations. It is one the largest associations of education-related institutions in the world with members in more than 80 countries.
- UTS’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Advancement) Professor William Purcell has been honoured as a leading figure in supporting higher education in the Asia-Pacific region
- On the eve of his retirement from UTS, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has awarded Professor Purcell its 2017 CASE Asia-Pacific Distinguished Service Award