UNIVERSITY of New England chancellor John Watkins has paid tribute to departing vice-chancellor Jim Barber’s achievements.
Mr Watkins, the current head of Alzheimers Australia NSW and former Deputy Premier, said UNE had improved its position under Professor Barber.
“UNE currently has record student demand, staff numbers are growing, university funds are in surplus, research funding has increased and the biggest capital works program in the history of the Armidale campus is now under way,” Mr Watkins said.
“Much of this success can be credited to Jim’s strategic leadership, his energy and his dynamism.
“Jim has proven very adept at reading the trends in higher education and putting UNE in the vanguard of growth areas such as online education and other innovations that will enable us to compete globally.
“I speak on behalf of the university council in applauding his contribution and wishing him well.
“We are very sorry to see him go but understand his reasons for heading home (to Melbourne).
“We are exploring ways in which Jim can pursue his interests in association with UNE in an external capacity.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said Professor Barber had served UNE with “absolute distinction” over his four-year tenure and should look back on his achievements with great pride.
“Naturally, I was sorry to learn of Professor Barber’s retirement – he’s been such a huge asset – but I’m grateful that UNE and the wider community was able to benefit from his visionary leadership, experience and passion for a modern tertiary education system,” Mr Marshall said.
“UNE is in a markedly better position today than four years ago and Professor Barber should be proud of the leading role he has played in this turnaround.”
Mr Marshall also credited Professor Barber with positioning UNE at the forefront of the online learning evolution in tertiary education.
“Professor Barber’s foresight in this area has seen UNE pull far ahead of the ’sandstone’ universities which failed to see the potential of online studies and changing trends in student learning,” he said.
“I wish Professor Barber and his wife Mary all the very best for retirement and much happiness in the next phase of their lives.”
