ANU Vice Chancellor announces his retirement

ANU Vice-Chancellor Ian Chubb told University Council today (Friday 4th June 2010) that he will retire in 12-months' time, after more than a decade leading the national university.

Making the announcement, ANU Chancellor Gareth Evans said he and other Council members were saddened by the news, but recognised that ANU was in an extremely healthy state due to the work of the Vice-Chancellor.

"Professor Chubb has invigorated ANU, made the most of its exceptional research strengths, and extended those riches to all students, making the educational experience at ANU a truly unique one," Professor Evans said.

"He has fulfilled the high expectations of the ANU founders, to make ANU a place to "advance the cause of learning and research ... and take its rightful place among the great universities of the world," and has enriched the relationship with the Commonwealth, making ANU a national
institution of which all Australians can be proud.

"Professor Chubb has made an exceptional contribution to the strength and standing of ANU, and to higher education in this nation. He has been a leading defender of the vital role Australian universities play in sustaining our healthy democracy and the role of ANU in promoting high-level public debate.

"By leading ANU so successfully through a time of change and uncertainty in Australian higher education, Professor Chubb leaves a remarkable legacy.

"He has driven a period of extraordinary growth in the university's finances, student and staff numbers, infrastructure and on and near campus accommodation.

“Professor Chubb has also led ANU through some difficult times: most notably Canberra's devastating 2003 bushfires that all but laid waste to the Mt Stromlo Observatory; the 2007 hail storm which caused extensive damage to ANU; and the Global Financial Crisis that left so many
universities in dire circumstances around the world but saw ANU emerge in a strong position.

"Professor Chubb has led this great institution with determination, assurance and compassion, and his work will leave a lasting imprint both on ANU and the nation. "When it comes to university leaders, anywhere in the world, Ian Chubb is as good as it gets. He will be a very hard act to follow, "Professor Evans said.

Media assistance: Catriona Jackson 0417 142 238

Click here to read the fact sheet about the Professor’s term.