21 January 2020

The University of Queensland has appointed Dr Jessica Gallagher as UQ’s inaugural Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement & Entrepreneurship).

Dr Gallagher has more than a decade of experience in senior engagement positions across academic, research and engagement portfolios at UQ, and was previously Director of Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship.

The PVC (GE&E) role will provide leadership to create change locally and in global communities, and acknowledges the growing importance of entrepreneurship in transforming students into game-changing graduates. 

The Global Engagement portfolio expanded in 2018 to include UQ Ventures, the University’s suite of entrepreneurial programs and initiatives, and from this year also encompasses UQ International Development (UQID), demonstrating UQ’s drive to extend its global reputation and reach.

Dr Gallagher said the Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship portfolio is unique in the breadth and depth of its functions and objectives.

“Individually, we have all worked to build a network of strategic relationships and collaborations, and to provide expert support and advice to global communities,” Dr Gallagher said.

“Under one roof, however, Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship will operate as a coordinated whole – enabling us to leverage our partnerships and extend UQ’s research, teaching and learning, and engagement activities further than ever before.  

“As one of the leading university development groups in the Asia-Pacific region, we will continue to provide development expertise and program management leadership to build the capacity of people and organisations around the world to achieve their development goals.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) Mr Rongyu Li said that, since joining UQ, Dr Gallagher has shown unwavering commitment to delivering UQ’s global strategic objectives for students and staff.

Among her recent achievements have been the development and implementation of UQ’s first Entrepreneurship Strategy.

“Under Dr Gallagher’s leadership, UQ has experienced a massive increase in participation in entrepreneurship activities in recent years,” Mr Li said.

“Dr Gallagher has also delivered a dynamic UQ Partner Engagement Strategy while working with staff to successfully deliver several multifaceted stakeholder relationships with leading institutions and industry bodies, notably Aurecon, KPMG, Technical University of Munich (TUM), The University of Exeter, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.”

Media: Josepha Dietrich, j.dietrich@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0619.