The Honourable Bill Shorten was today invested as the seventh Vice-Chancellor of the University of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½) at a ceremony held at the Bruce campus.
Speaking at the Investiture, attended by 200 guests and live streamed to students and staff in the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Refectory, Mr Shorten assured the University community that he is in the role for the long haul.
The former long-serving Cabinet Minister said he was excited to be at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and that, despite the period of uncertainty the University has gone through prior to his appointment, its solid foundations mean he is not starting with a blank canvas.
He pointed out that the shifting higher education environment called for a fresh approach to university leadership.
“I recognise I am not a VC in the mould of those previous, but I believe I am the right Vice-Chancellor for the University of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ at this time,” Mr Shorten said.
“The maturation of a university is never complete – nor should it be. If society is ever-changing, then universities, as its servants, should be ready respond to its needs.”
Mr Shorten said that he will leave ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ a responsive, sustainable and stable institution, confident of its place in the world.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted his pedigree of rebuilding institutions facing challenges.
His credentials include the restoration of the Australian Workers Union when it was on the brink of collapse; working with Labor colleagues to make the ALP electable again after the 2013 election defeat left the party with just 54 seats in a parliament of 150; and repairing the NDIS during his time as Minister responsible for the life-changing disability scheme.
“I want ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, the nation and the world to know about the incredible learning, teaching and research offered at the University of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½.”
“I am particularly proud of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s commitment to equity and diversity because empirical evidence and anecdotal stories show that education is the safest and surest path from under the weight of disadvantage to the places of opportunity.”
Download Mr Shorten's Investiture speech here.