By Charlene Gatt
PROMINENT Melburnian George Pappas officially became Victoria University’s fourth-Chancellor in an installation ceremony last week.
Mr Pappas was officially inducted by Governor David de Kretser on Thursday, after more than four months in the role, and said he has found the honorary position instructive and stimulating.
He is briefed every Tuesday morning on any issues surrounding the university, and works closely with Vice Chancellor Liz Harman. Mr Pappas said he devotes about two days a week to the part-time role.
“I’m really starting to appreciate the special place Victoria University has in tertiary education in the city,” he said.
“My vision for VU is the same as VU’s vision for VU. The set of values I have about education, and the importance of accessibility to all, the importance of excellence in what we offer, is in accord with what VU wants to do. That’s why I took it on,” he said.
“It takes a bit of time to really understand what an institution’s all about. I don’t think I have yet really understood, or studied enough about Victoria University, to say it should do anything different to what it’s doing now.
“The vision for VU is pretty simple in some respects, it’s to transform lives through the power of education. That’s a great vision.”
Mr Pappas has wide ranging experience across the commercial, government and university sectors and is also well known for his contributions to the wider community, including his work with Monash University and Melbourne High School.
He is a current director of the Western Bulldogs and has an on-going role as chair of the Federal Government’s Defence Strategic Reform Advisory Board.
Mr Pappas said he had to give up some of his work on advisory boards at Monash University to make time for the role.
He said the recruitment process to find Ms Harman’s replacement was well advanced.
