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Professor Brian Schmidt . Picture : Supplied .
Schmidt resigns
ANU VC Brian Schmidt to leave top job .
By Emilie Lauer
Vice-Chancellor of Australian National University Professor Brian Schmidt has announced plans to resign at the end of the year .
The Nobel laureate and astrophysicist told students and staff he would return to his role as professor of astronomy after eight years in the top job .
‘ Working together ’
ANU and Macquarie announce new partnership .
By Emilie Lauer
International undergraduates from ANU and Macquarie University will be able to study across both campuses as part of a new partnership between the two institutions . Set to begin 2024 , international students at either university will be able to study on exchange across the Sydney and Canberra campuses to “ broaden their experience of Australia ”.
“ I am so proud to have been trusted to lead ANU ,” Professor Schmidt said in his State of University Address .
“ After eight years , I will be ready to get back to my research and teaching , and a somewhat more balanced life .”
Professor Schmidt said he had never thought of becoming a vice-chancellor , but volunteered for the role in 2015 to give back to the university which he said had “ done so much ” for him .
He was then appointed as ANU ’ s 12th vice-chancellor in January 2016 .
During his tenure , Professor Schmidt led ANU through major changes including the Covid-19 pandemic which left the university in a $ 162.4 million operating deficit .
Professor Schmidt said he has honoured his commitment to hire more women in senior leadership position at the university and wants to promote rights for professional staff .
“ Our professional staff bear significant responsibility . [ They ] serve our colleagues and our community , with integrity ,” he said . “ The new career pathway we will co-create with [ our professional staff ] will do more to help [ them ] achieve [ their ] ambitions .”
Professor Schmidt said during his last year he will work closely with the federal government on upcoming higher education reforms .
“ I will be working to persuade the federal government to invest in the amazing work we do for the betterment of Australia - our students , our researchers - and to see us as an opportunity , rather than an expense .”
“ There is no greater privilege or larger responsibility than simply being a member of this extraordinary university ,” he said . ■
ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said the partnership would help attract more overseas students . “ There is much to be gained by working together ,” he said . “ ANU and Macquarie are such complementary institutions ; when we combine our areas of expertise in teaching and research and the diverse experiences of our two cities , we can give students an incredible experience .”
The partnership , which was first signed in 2021 , came after both universities reported a drop in overseas enrolments during Covid-19 .
In 2020 , almost 11,000 international students from 117 countries were enrolled at Macquarie , while ANU had more than 9000 overseas students .
By 2021 , international enrolments at Macquarie decreased by almost 20 per cent .
“ COVID-19 has accelerated the need for change and innovation in the university sector , and we look forward to building sustainable future strategies through this partnership ,” Professor Schmidt said .
Macquarie Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce Dowton said the international exchange scheme will give students the opportunity to be part of “ award-winning programs ”.
As part of the partnership , student alumni from both ANU and Macquarie will be offered a 10 per cent fee waiver .
“ This study support arrangement will encourage lifelong learning for alumni of two great Australian universities ,” Professor Dowton said . ■
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