News

Transformation through education

A message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Zlatko Skrbis.

Dear colleagues,

I have recently joined the ACU community as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education). I was drawn to working at ACU by its Mission, unique ecosystem and the values of empathy and inclusiveness implicit in all aspects of the University’s work. Prior to commencing at ACU I was Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Monash University.

I have spent my first few weeks in the job gaining an understanding of the Education (previously Students, Learning & Teaching) Portfolio and its collaborative links. My office is located in Tenison Woods House on the North Sydney Campus but I have already benefited greatly from campus visits and interactions with both academic and professional colleagues from across ACU. I hope to build upon these initial connections to forge the future of education at ACU through the prism of partnership.

Alongside the University’s four faculties, the Education Portfolio will be dedicated to engaging with students, and to delivering a truly holistic educational experience driven by excellence in teaching, learning and research and enriched by co-curricular offerings. We are all aware of the pressure the Australian higher education sector is under from continual funding cuts and ever-increasing international competition. My ambition for the Education Portfolio is to nurture and shape an outward-looking perspective and to help progress and strengthen ACU’s position in the broader university sector through a distinct educational proposition and a strong focus on student experience and success.

I believe that education can be transformational and that its effects are enduring; I look forward to working with you to make a lasting impact on the lives of ACU’s students and, by extension, the communities in which they will live and work after graduation.

Best wishes,

Professor Zlatko Skrbis
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)