A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CHANCELLOR

Dear colleagues,

It is my honour to be the new Chancellor of the University of Newcastle.

It is a thrilling time to be joining this world-class university – or perhaps I should say ‘rejoining’. I graduated from the Newcastle University College in the early 1960s, and like everyone associated with the University of Newcastle, I am incredibly proud of its achievements. Our strengths in research are world-class, and our commitment to making higher education accessible is one I stand firmly by.

Our excellence is at last gaining global attention. We are in the top three per cent of universities worldwide and just this month we have been ranked well within the top 50 universities under the age of 50.

So I’m immensely proud to be Chancellor of such a prestigious, successful institution. I’m a fourth generation Novocastrian and I’m passionate about the revitalisation of our great city and our wider region, from the Mid-North to the Central Coasts.

NeW Directions, our University strategic plan, is well underway. If we deliver on that plan, the University will drive the change that our regions will see in the coming decades. Our campuses will continue to attract students from across the region, the country and around the world, and give them a great education. Our researchers will pioneer innovation to help ensure our economy goes from strength to strength. Our city campus – the NeW Space project – will be part of major regeneration and development in Newcastle CBD. These are exciting times for the whole University community.

So what will I be doing as Chancellor? My main role is to Chair our governing Council and to work with the Vice-Chancellor to make sure the University’s progress stays on track. My job is to provide guidance and oversight, rather than management. In business circles – and that is my background - my role would be like the Chairman of the Board, while the Vice Chancellor would be the chief executive. Together with the Council and the University Executive, the VC and I will devote our energy to building a University worthy of a place in the top 2% worldwide.

As I begin my work as Chancellor, I will be visiting our campuses and meeting as many staff, students and alumni as possible.  In the meantime, you can find out more about me by watching this video http://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured-news/new-chancellor-announced

I look forward to building on your work to make this great University even stronger.

Thank you.

Paul Jeans