UQ appoints new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

The University of Queensland has appointed a higher education senior executive with extensive experience in campus development and flexible learning initiatives as its new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Professor Margaret Gardner, who has held senior university executive positions in Queensland since 1994, was selected following an international search and will officially take up the position from January 1, 2001.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said the University was pleased to have appointed such a high quality candidate.

'Professor Gardner brings to The University of Queensland tremendous experience in campus innovation and developing community links,' Professor Hay said.

Professor Gardner's new responsibilities will include enhancement of teaching and learning outcomes, new information and communications technologies and a wide range of academic staffing matters. She will also be the Vice-Chancellor's representative for UQ Gatton.

In her most recent appointment as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business, Equity, Logan) at Griffith University, Professor Gardner was responsible for the development of a new campus in Logan, Brisbane and innovative flexible learning initiatives.

Since 1996, she has overseen the Business Group at Grifftith University, taking responsibility for staff matters and coordinating strategic areas in research, teaching and learning.

Since graduating as a Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) at the University of Sydney in 1976, Professor Gardner has worked as a lecturer at Sydney, Deakin and Griffith universities. She was awarded a PhD by the University of Sydney in 1984, and a Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship in 1987.

Throughout her academic career, Professor Gardner has published numerous articles and books on industrial relations, human resource management and equity issues.

The position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) was created by the UQ Senate earlier this year as part of a reorganisation of Professor Hay's executive group, following a decision by Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ted Brown to retire at the end of this year.

For further information, contact Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 1088, mobile 0413 380012, email p.mccutcheon@mailbox.uq.edu.au)