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VC departure
Peter Rathjen. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe
Adelaide vice-chancellor officially resigns.
The University of Adelaide is on the hunt for a new vicechancellor
after Professor Peter Rathjen officially resigned
from the position due to ill health, following a leave of
absence.
In one of her first duties as chancellor Catherine Branson told
staff and students via email that the university council accepted
Rathjen’s resignation.
“I am writing to inform you that the University’s Council has
accepted the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter
Rathjen AO, due to ill health,’’ Branson wrote.
“The University extends its appreciation for the contribution
Professor Rathjen has made since taking up the role in 2018.’’
The University of Adelaide’s leadership team made headlines in
May this year following Rathjen’s sudden decision to take indefinite
leave.
Two days later, the Independent Commissioner Against
Corruption, Bruce Lander, uncharacteristically announced that the
vice-chancellor was under investigation over allegations of
improper conduct.
He did not comment further about the nature of the allegations
but assured that his investigation centred not on corruption
but on potential issues of serious or systemic misconduct and
maladministration.
The commissioner said he would not typically confirm or deny
the existence of such an investigation but decided to do so “in light
of the intense speculation regarding The University of Adelaide,
and the likelihood that speculation will continue and potentially
lead to an unnecessary negative impact on the university’s
operations”.
Rumours abound as to why the Adelaide leader stood down
from his position, including that it was due to the university’s
finances and that it had something to do with the abandoned
merger between Adelaide and the University of South Australia.
News that Rathjen was taking leave broke the day after
chancellor Kevin Scarce informed the university’s council that
he would bring forward the end of his term, cutting it six months
short.
Adelaide announced that Branson, a former Federal Court Judge
and Crown Solicitor of South Australia, would take up the mantle of
chancellor, following her tenure as deputy chancellor. ■
Strategic move
US company to acquire
Torrens University.
A
US-based education provider has
announced it will acquire Australia’s
Torrens University as part of a deal
with Laureate Education.
Strategic Education announced
it will spend $642.7 million (USD)
to take over Laureate’s Australia
and New Zealand academic
operations, which include Torrens
University, Think Education, and Media
Design School.
Robert Silberman, executive chairman
of Strategic Education, said the company
has long been an admirer of Laureate’s
education portfolio.
“These institutions, which are located in
very attractive markets for us, will be worthy
additions to our current portfolio of Strayer
University and Capella University.”
Torrens University chancellor Michael
Mann said the announcement has the
full support of the Australian governing
boards of Torrens University Australia and
Think Education.
The university’s president Linda Brown
promised students it will be business as
usual throughout the process. “There will
be no disruption to students’ course of
study,” Brown said.
Eilif Serck-Hanssen, president and
chief executive of Laureate, said: “We
are incredibly proud of what Torrens
University Australia, Think Education, and
Media Design School have achieved and
feel a strong alignment in values with
Strategic Education, particularly with
regard to promoting economic mobility,
innovation, and quality outcomes for
students.”
The transaction is expected to close
by early next year, pending regulatory
approvals. ■
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