ANNABELLE Duncan will be the University of New England’s interim vice-chancellor, replacing Jim Barber, who will move into a strategic advisor position.
Chancellor John Watkins, last week announced that the UNE Council had appointed Professor Duncan to the position and that she would start on 23 March.
The appointment is part of a transition to appoint a new long-term vice-chancellor after Professor Barber announced his resignation earlier this month.
Mr Watkins said the recruitment process for the next VC would commence immediately.
Prof Duncan joined UNE in September 2010 and has served as the deputy vice-chancellor since that time.
She has wide experience in the tertiary education sector and held previous roles at La Trobe University, the University of Melbourne and the CSIRO.
Mr Watkins said Prof Duncan was highly regarded for her professionalism and management skills, and in particular for strengthening research at the university.
“She is widely respected and has a very safe pair of hands to guide the university through this interim period,” Mr Watkins said.
“We expect this to cover the next few months while we undergo a global search.”
Professor Duncan said that she was delighted to have been asked by the UNE Council to take up the role until the new vice-chancellor was appointed.
“I’m strongly committed to UNE and am very keen to continue to serve it in any way I can,” she said.
“To be appointed as interim vice-chancellor is a rare privilege.”
