30 October 2015: In recognition of her distinguished service to education, gender equality and the Australian community, Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Canberra TODAY.
- The ceremony will take place before the annual celebration of the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards, to be held at the Boiler House lecture theatre on Friday, 30 October, 2.30pm.
During her time in government, Ms Gillard delivered education reforms at every level from early childhood to university, with a special focus on disadvantaged children.
She championed new standards to improve the quality of childcare and access to early childhood education and developed a needs-based funding system for schools. Ms Gillard also established Australia's first national school curriculum and ensured significant investment in school buildings and facilities.
A strong believer in the transformative power of education as a route to opportunity, self-improvement and social mobility, Ms Gillard said she was honoured to receive this recognition.
"I'm thrilled to be receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Canberra, an innovative, young, world-ranked institution which embraces the importance of providing education opportunities to all," she said.
Ms Gillard has enjoyed a distinguished career as a lawyer and Member of the Australian Parliament's House of Representatives. As Australia's first female Deputy Prime Minister and first female Prime Minister, Ms Gillard played an integral part in the shaping of Australia, and delivered significant reforms in education, health care, communications and the economy.
Ms Gillard is a Distinguished Fellow with the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution in Washington, an Honorary Professor at the University of Adelaide, Patron of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library and a member of the board of directors of Beyond Blue. In February 2014 she was appointed chair of the Global Partnership for Education, a leading organisation dedicated to expanding access to quality education worldwide.
Ms Gillard visited the University of Canberra on a number of occasions as a minister and Prime Minister.
She retains a connection with the University through her current role as Chancellor of online education provider Dūcere, with whom the University has partnered to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate business degrees.
- Media are welcome to attend the event. Ms Gillard will not be available for interview, nor will she do a doorstop.
What: Honorary doctorate award to former PM Julia Gillard, at the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards ceremony
When: Friday 30 October, 2.30pm - 4.30pm (ceremony will start at 2.30pm sharp)
Where: Boiler House lecture theatre, Building 14, University of Canberra, (campus map)
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810