Chancellor’s report
Appointment of UNE’s next Vice Chancellor & CEO
Following a comprehensive search within Australia and internationally over the last six months the Chancellor announced Professor Chris Moran as UNE’s next Vice-Chancellor & CEO on the 4 May.
Change in Chair of Academic Board
The Chancellor and the UNE Council extend a welcome to Associate Professor Jennifer McDonell, who has been duly elected as the Chair of the Academic Board at UNE, commencing 1 May.
Mary White Chancellor Dinner
On the 10 May Chancellor James Harris and Interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Evans, joined students and other special guests for a celebration of academic achievement at the 60th Mary White Chancellor Dinner.
The dinner celebrated the determination of the original heads of Mary While College, a group of women who worked to create educational opportunities in a safe and supportive environment for young women. Mary White College played a big role in enhancing UNE’s role in attracting young women to tertiary study at UNE and has done so to this day. Chancellor Harris discussed the importance of community, tradition, history and the personalised learning journeys provided by the University and Mary White College in building the foundation for a successful post university career.
Adelaide SACUNE Annual Alumni Dinner
Chancellor James Harris and Deputy Chancellor Jan McClelland were delighted to be able to attend and address the UNE South Australian Chapter Annual Alumni Dinner on the 20 May.
This is UNE’s strongest Alumni branch and its members are passionate advocates for UNE.
Vice-Chancellor’s report
Universities Accord
Council were updated on UNE’s engagement with the Universities Accord process of making recommendations to the Panel for appropriate outcomes for regional Universities.
Student numbers
Council heard that international student numbers at UNE are tracking up, as are domestic student applications, and residential college numbers in Armidale are improving.
Other matters considered by Council
Council discussed the progress of UNE Tamworth. Project stakeholder engagement has commenced. Design Jam and briefings were held in Tamworth, concept design is progressing and the project is on track for delivery at the end of 2025.
On the Armidale Campus, the first tranche of demolition following the super cell storm in 2021 is complete (four buildings).
Other topics discussed included the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan, and an update from the Chair Academic Board, including ongoing work on the opportunities and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative technology in higher education.
