The University of Queensland’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, AO, will be the Vice-Chancellor of UQ from January 2008.
The Chancellor, Sir Llew Edwards, AC, made the announcement after Professor Greenfield’s unanimous selection by the UQ Senate, which followed an international search for the best candidate.
“On behalf of Senate I congratulate Paul Greenfield, who was outstanding amongst an impressive international field of candidates,” Sir Llew said.
“Having considered candidates from many countries, with advice from global recruitment consultants, Senate had no hesitation in concluding that Paul Greenfield is the best person for this position.
“Throughout his 32-year career at UQ he has made exemplary contributions to the University and to our local, national and international communities - including as Chair of the International Expert Panel for the Queensland Water Commission and Chair of the Scientific Expert Panel of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership.
“He has won widespread respect as a researcher, teacher, and advisor to the private and corporate sectors, and has forged strong links throughout government and business in Queensland, nationally and internationally.
“Paul has applied his outstanding leadership qualities and intellect to great effect as Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and I am certain that he will have a tremendously positive impact as Vice-Chancellor,” Sir Llew said.
Professor Greenfield said he was honoured to be offered the opportunity to lead such a great university.
“UQ prides itself on the balance it has achieved between strengths in teaching and learning and strengths in research. This balanced effort will continue,” he said.
“One of my goals will be to develop further UQ’s existing links with industry and government at all levels – these linkages are critical to maintaining quality outcomes.
“The transition of UQ and indeed of Queensland as a state over the last 20 years has been fantastic. I am delighted to have been part of it and look forward to its continued development.”
Professor Greenfield will begin a five-year term on January 1, 2008, replacing Professor John Hay, AC, who will retire after 12 years as Vice-Chancellor on December 31, 2007.
Professor Greenfield came to UQ as a lecturer in chemical engineering in 1975, and has held a series of senior positions since 1985. Becoming Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2002, he has continued to make time to supervise PhD students.
He has influenced public and private policy in areas including climate change, environmental management, wastewater management and biotechnology. In 2006 he became an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to science, engineering and tertiary education.
He has a Bachelor of Engineering with first class honours and a PhD from the University of New South Wales, and a Bachelor of Economics from UQ. His research has attracted more than $7 million in funding, and he is credited with three patents, more than 180 journal publications, 120-plus conference publications, more than 20 invited international keynote or plenary addresses, and numerous medals and awards. He has worked in the private sector and at the CSIRO, and has won a fellowship to the United States.
Download a high-resolution image of Professor Greenfield.
Media contacts: Fiona Kennedy (07) 3365 1088 0413 380 012; Jan King (07) 3365 1120
0413 601 248.
