VC recognised in Australia Day honours
28 January 2014: The University’s Vice-Chancellor was among staff to be recognised in the Australia Day honours.
Stephen Parker was made an Officer of the Order of Australia, as was former ACT Chief Minister and former professorial fellow, Jon Stanhope who is now an adjunct professor of the University of Canberra and administrator of Christmas Island. Research fellow and paralympian Sue Powell was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
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Paralympian and researcher Dr Sue Powell was among the University staff to be recognised on Australia Day. |
Professor Parker’s award recognises: distinguished service to tertiary education through administrative, academic and representational roles, and as a leader in the growth and development of the University of Canberra.
Dr Powell’s award recognised her service to sport as a gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, while Adjunct Professor Stanhope was recognised for: distinguished service to the community through leadership roles, to the advancement of human rights and social justice, and to economic development.
Chancellor Dr Tom Calma AO congratulated Professor Parker.
“Stephen Parker is without doubt one of the country’s top Vice-Chancellors,” Dr Calma said.
“His leadership of the University has been first class. He continues to be an excellent ambassador for Australian higher education, for the capital and for the University of Canberra and this recognition is well deserved.
“I congratulate him on behalf of the University Council and the University of Canberra community.”
Dr Calma said University of Canberra has thrived under Professor Parker’s leadership. Student numbers are up by more than 40 per cent, student satisfaction has also increased, as have research income and publications. The University has posted record surpluses and entered the QS World Rankings, placing it among the top five per cent of universities in the world.
Its graduates remain some of the highest paid and most employable in the country and campus development has seen new accommodation, teaching facilities and health complexes open, with a new sporting commons underway.
