Prof Alan Pettigrew: My last UNE Voice column
This edition of the UNE Voice will be my last as Vice-Chancellor and CEO of UNE with my retirement effective from the end of October.
As you are aware, Professor Graham Webb will be Acting Vice-Chancellor until my successor is in place. Although the end of the academic year is fast approaching there are many issues requiring on-going attention both at UNE and in the Higher Education sector. For example, vital legislation such as the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2009 and the Education Services for Overseas Student Amendment (RE-REGISTRATION OF PROVIDERS AND OTHER MEASURES) Bill 2009 will be debated in the next sitting of Parliament. Both have potential resource implications for UNE.
In other areas, UNE’s Governance Discussion Paper has recently been endorsed by Sir Laurence Street and its implementation is underway. UNE will also host a meeting with the Australian Government in late November to begin negotiations in respect to UNE’s Mission Based-Compact and possible structural adjustment funding. All of this is on top of the day-to-day running of the University. The professionalism and dedication of Professor Webb, and all members of the Senior Executive will undoubtedly guide UNE through these and a myriad of other issued during the transition period and provide a firm base on which the new Vice-Chancellor will be able to build.
It has been an honour to serve as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of UNE. From my initial arrival at UNE in February 2006, throughout significant internal change in 2007, and during the hardships of last year I received great kindness and support from the University as well as the wider New England community. Both Ann and I are enormously appreciative of this on both a personal and professional basis and I offer my heartfelt thanks for your support. I also wish to acknowledge the great support and encouragement I have received from the Chancellor, Richard Torbay, whose energy and enthusiasm for UNE is unbounded.
I wish the University all the best for a prosperous and harmonious future and am looking forward to saying my personal farewell to you all at drinks on the 29 October.