Dear colleagues

The beginning of 2020 has been challenging for many of our community, so I am delighted to be able to share with you some uplifting news.

I announce that the University’s Council has voted to reappoint Professor Brian Schmidt as Vice-Chancellor of The Australian National University for another five years.

In a unanimous vote, Council has reappointed Brian for a second five-year term from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025.

Among vice-chancellors the world over, Brian is a unique and extraordinary leader. He is the only university president in the world today who is a Nobel Laureate. He has standing not only within global higher education but also more broadly.

During his first term as ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian has proven to be an outstanding and committed leader, and Council was of the view that he is the right person to lead this prestigious institution as it helps the world rise to the challenges of the 21st century. Brian has the vision and leadership capability to drive the University’s bold strategy to 2025.

From opening up ANU educational opportunities to many more Australians, including Indigenous Australians, to ensuring that all that we do at ANU is defined by excellence, or “excellence everywhere”, Brian has shaped and shared an ambitious vision for ANU.

ANU is a university of bold thinking and great ambition that aims each day to make the world a better place. Brian exemplifies the very best of those qualities and Council and I look forward to working with him in the coming years to make sure ANU continues to be a contemporary national university and a valuable global resource.

The Hon Julie Bishop
Chancellor

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