Flinders looking forward with confidence

m_barberFlinders University is well positioned to successfully meet the challenges of a more competitive higher education sector from 2012, according to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber.

“Flinders is a university with considerable strengths and is well placed to take up some great opportunities in the years ahead which will involve some major changes in Australia’s higher education sector,” Professor Barber said.

Professor Barber (pictured) made his comments while discussing his future priorities following a decision by the Flinders University Council to extend the Vice-Chancellor’s contract for two years to 31 December 2014. The extension aligns with the implementation period of Flinders Strategic Plan 2010-2014 – Inspiring Flinders Future – the development of which was a major initiative of the first three years of Professor Barber’s vice-chancellorship.

“I have enjoyed the past three years at Flinders and feel privileged and honoured to be asked to continue to lead this University in the exciting times ahead,” Professor Barber said.

Announcing the decision Flinders University Chancellor, Mr Stephen Gerlach, said the extension of Professor Barber’s contract to seven years “has been taken in recognition of Professor Barber’s outstanding performance over the past three years”.

“Professor Barber’s agreement to the extension of his term will provide appropriate continuity to the leadership required to achieve the University’s goals as reflected in its Strategic Plan and to continue to implement the various initiatives he has put in place since his appointment in 2008,” Mr Gerlach said.

“Feedback to the University Council both internally and externally indicates that the leadership provided by Professor Barber over the past three years has positioned the University well for the challenges ahead.  The Council is delighted that he has agreed to extend his term to oversee the implementation of the significant change agenda as set out in the University’s Strategic Plan,” he said.

Professor Barber said his other priorities included the strengthening and broadening of Flinders engagement with the Northern Territory where the new NT Medical Program has attracted the highest number of Indigenous students to any single intake of students to a medical school in Australia.

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