University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, has announced he will retire next year, following an extension of his contract which expires on June 30, 2021.
Today’s announcement marks the third departure of a Vice-Chancellor in less than a month.
On 19 February, University of Sydney Chancellor Dr Michael Spence announced he was stepping down at the end of the year. Days earlier, Victoria University (VU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins, announced his retirement, bringing his decade-long tenure to an end.
Under Professor Wellings’ leadership over the last decade, UOW has been consistently ranked in the top 20 Young Universities in the world and in the top 250 overall.
“Professor Wellings has been an exceptional leader at the University of Wollongong. The University has been transformed and its academic and research reputation strengthened,” Chancellor Jillian Broadbent AC said in a statement today.
“Paul has played an important role in advising the Commonwealth government on research infrastructure, international mobility initiatives, performance funding and the sustainable growth of the sector”.
Broadbent pointed out that Professor Wellings has advised many regional and state bodies across NSW and his advice has been sought by many Ministers and senior officials.
“His intellect, energy and drive has helped champion the work of the University of Wollongong, its role in supporting all our communities and our global positioning,” she said.
“We are sad that Paul is retiring as he has been a creative and dynamic leader. We wish him every success in the future. The University of Wollongong has now begun a global search for its fifth Vice-Chancellor”.