NEWS
campusreview.com.au
VC Rathjen
heads home
The current UTAS vice-chancellor
will move to Adelaide to take up
a new role at his old university.
P
Peter Rathjen Photo: Alastair Bett
rofessor Peter Rathjen, currently
vice-chancellor of the University of
Tasmania, will cross Bass Strait to the
mainland and then head west to replace
interim executive professor Mike Brooks
as vice-chancellor at the University of
Adelaide in early 2018. The University of
Tasmania has commenced a search to find
his replacement.
In expressing his excitement and
happiness at securing Rathjen as Adelaide’s
next VC, chancellor and rear admiral
Kevin Scarce emphasised Rathjen’s storied
academic career and close-knit ties to the
University of Adelaide community.
“He has an outstanding record of
university leadership, beginning here as
the foundation executive dean of the
Faculty of Sciences, before becoming
deputy vice-chancellor (research) at the
University of Melbourne and currently
at the University of Tasmania, where he
You can still count on
America: McCain
US senator John McCain has delivered a speech
in which he emphasised the “unbreakable
bonds” between the US and Australia.
A
rizona senator, chair of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, unsuccessful presidential candidate and Vietnam
War veteran – these are all labels ascribed to John McCain.
So too, now, is ANZUS alliance builder. Hosted by the University
of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre (USSC), McCain delivered a
6
has been vice-chancellor for the past six
years,” Scarce said.
“We are certain that in professor Rathjen,
we have found someone who will foster
and build our external relationships to
ensure we serve the community locally,
nationally and internationally.”
Rathjen spoke about his enthusiasm to
return to the City of Churches.
“I am excited at the opportunity to
return to Adelaide, which has been a
formative part of my own personal story,”
Rathjen said.
“It was from the University of Adelaide
that I graduated with my first degree,
and where I held my first research and
leadership roles.
“My extended family is here and my
family’s original farm is located in the
Adelaide Hills.
“The University of Adelaide has a track
record of consistent success in research,
innovation, engagement and teaching.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity
to play my part in strengthening the
University of Adelaide’s place as a world
class university for the next generations
of students.” ■
speech at the State Library of NSW on Tuesday, May 30, mostly about
the place of the US in the world, especially in relation to Australia.
“My friends … you can still count on America,” he reassured the
audience.
He remarked that “a hundred years of sacrifice together
has created unbreakable bonds between the two functional
democracies”.
McCain also touched on US President Donald Trump, ISIS,
Russia and the rise of China. He was the consummate Republican
statesman, delivering an uncontroversial address.
In introducing McCain, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian called
him “inspirational”.
USSC research director James Brown was also complimentary.
“[McCain’s] leadership, wisdom and moral courage have been
hallmarks of his 30 years in the US Senate,” he noted.
The previous night, McCain was a guest on the ABC’s 7.30, where
he criticised former US president Barack Obama, saying “maybe
[Europe] shouldn’t have given Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize
before he was ever even elected”.
The USSC’s hosting of McCain may raise some liberal eyebrows.
The centre has faced rumours of conservative alliances since it was
established in 2006. This is largely because it is partially funded by
the American Australian Association, which was founded by the late
Sir Keith Murdoch.
In 2010, for instance, Tim Anderson, a senior lecturer in political
economy at USYD, accused the centre of playing to conservative
American interests. He claimed this was because the American
Australian Association held sway over the centre’s finances and
academic appointments. ■