La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor John Dewar's term has been extended for three years to early 2024.
The contract extension was endorsed at a recent meeting of University Council. Chancellor John Brumby AO said he was delighted Professor Dewar had agreed to continue to serve as Vice‑Chancellor at Victoria's third oldest University.
"Under Professor Dewar's leadership La Trobe has grown and thrived, expanding the positive benefits to the students we teach, the communities we serve, the industries we partner with and the world class research we produce," Mr Brumby said.
"Professor Dewar is a proven leader with a strong track record who will continue to have a positive impact on the University and its students. Council has strong ambitions to further improve the impact and relevance of La Trobe teaching and research, and is very confident Professor Dewar has the right skills, experience and dedication to lead the University at this crucial time.
"La Trobe has an ambitious forward agenda, built around our University City of the Future at Bundoora as well as the continuing growth and development of our regional campuses. Council looks forward to working with Professor Dewar to deliver this exciting phase of our development."
Professor Dewar said he looked forward to continuing to work with the La Trobe team.
"La Trobe is a fantastic University with clever, passionate and dedicated people who are committed to the positive impact of their teaching and research on people and communities.
"It has been a delight to work with the team at La Trobe and help play our part in the Victorian and Australian community - actively promoting positive change and addressing the major issues of our time by being connected, inclusive and excellent," Professor Dewar said.
"I'm very proud of the all great work that the La Trobe team has already delivered and I look forward to continuing to serve as Vice-Chancellor for another term so we can continue to innovate and strengthen our role in the community."
Professor Dewar was first appointed to the Vice-Chancellor role in January 2012. Since then:
- Research income has risen by more than 60 per cent
- Alumni donations and bequests have grown exponentially, from about $1 million in 2012, to $10 million so far this year
- University rankings have improved across the board with the University recently recording a ten year best result in the Times Higher Education World ranking for 2020. The University is now placed in the top 400 on all three major world rankings.
New partnerships have also been created across business, sport, industry and the arts including with Optus, Cisco, NAB, Medibank, Melbourne City Football Club, Carlton Football Club, the National Gallery of Victoria and the State Library of Victoria.
Professor Dewar has also served on several Ministerial advisory boards, and is Deputy Chair of Universities Australia. He has served a term as Chair of Innovative Research Universities, and has won awards for his commitment to sustainability.
His full biography is available on the University's website.
