Dear staff,
I am writing to update staff on the appointment of UQ’s new Provost, following Professor Aidan Byrne’s announcement in February that he will be retiring in October this year.
Appointment of new Provost
Following a thorough recruitment process, I am delighted to announce that Professor Mark Blows, our current DVC (Research & Innovation), has been appointed as UQ’s next Provost.
Mark is a very well-known and highly regarded member of our community, having worked at UQ for the past 25 years. He is an eminent evolutionary geneticist who during a long research career held a number of ARC Fellowships and was elected to the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2011.
For the past 16 years, he has served in a number of leadership roles at UQ including Head of the School of Biological Sciences, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, PVC Research, and, most recently, as DVC (Research and Innovation).
In each of these positions, Mark has established an admirable track record of leading teams to implement initiatives that support the teaching and research functions of the University.
I’m confident that Mark’s leadership skills and experience, as well as his deep institutional knowledge, will enable him to do a tremendous job as our next Provost.
Mark will step into the position when Aidan officially retires on 4 October. An internal expression of interest process for an Acting DVCRI will commence shortly, while we recruit for a new DVCRI.
Please join me in congratulating Mark and wishing him every success in his new role.
I would also like to sincerely thank Aidan for his continued and immense contributions to UQ. We will celebrate Aidan’s many contributions to UQ with an appropriate farewell before he leaves.
Institute alignment to Faculties
I am pleased to advise that USET has endorsed the proposal that the Sustainable Minerals Institute will move into the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology and that the Queensland Brain Institute will move into the new Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences.
This approach will ensure better alignment of our research capability, our teaching and our engagement with government, industry and external partners.
The move will see a change in reporting lines for the Institutes’ Directors, who will report through to the respective Faculty Executive Dean, rather than to the Provost.
The proposals will be considered at the upcoming meetings of UQ's Governance Committee and Senate, and further work will be undertaken with staff and partners to ensure a smooth transition and implementation of this change.
It’s time for Paris 2024
And finally, it’s a very exciting week with the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games getting underway this Saturday morning Australian time.
There is a big contingent of UQ athletes who have been selected to represent Australia and I wish them all the best.
Staff can get involved and support our athletes at watch parties and other events across our campuses in the coming weeks.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Best wishes
Debbie
