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University boss says sector faces post-COVID ‘reckoning’

The Chancellor of the Gold Coast’s youngest university has warned of a post-COVID “reckoning” for Australia’s tertiary sector after the body blows and lack of support it had suffered through the pandemic crisis.

Aug 27, 2020, updated Aug 27, 2020
Southern Cross University's new Vice Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Carlin  (pic: Southern Cross University).

Southern Cross University's new Vice Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Carlin (pic: Southern Cross University).

“I have to say the sector’s been blindsided by the response and I think it has unearthed a range of philosophical as well as fundamental issues that need to be addressed,” Southern Cross University Chancellor Nick Burton Taylor said.

“I mean what do you want to be? Do you want to keep digging holes or create international aspects of who you are and that you can export?”

Speaking following the appointment of a new SCU Vice Chancellor on Wednesday, Mr Burton Taylor said the tertiary sector had been blindsided by the $4.8 billion hit it was estimated to suffer this year that had been offset only by minimal government reform and assistance packages.

“In some ways you could argue that it will be to the sector’s benefit, because we know we have to get to our own solutions,” he said.

“But remember we’re going to be providing the research that’s going to find our way out, we’re going to be providing the nurses, we’re going to be providing the doctors and the paramedics and the people on the ground who are going to deal with this,” Mr Burton Taylor told InQueensland.

“I think we deal with our immediate issues which are our operational issues at the individual university level and then at the sector level, on the other side of this, I think there has to be a regrouping and reassessment of how we prosecute the importance of the sector to Australia both at an economic and a social level.

“There’s got to be a reckoning.”

Mr Burton Taylor said the multi-campus university, recognised as one of Australia’s most progressive tertiary institutions, appointed Professor Tyrone Carlin as new Vice Chancellor and President on Wednesday.

Outgoing Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker will take up the role of Vice Chancellor at Victoria University in Melbourne.

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“Southern Cross, under Adam’s leadership, experienced renewed growth and strong community standing. We wish him success with his new role in Melbourne,” Mr Burton Taylor said.

Professor Carlin moves into the top position after two years as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) following a wide-ranging career with other institutions, including the University of Sydney.

Prior to his SCU move, the business academic and former CPA Australia president was caught in controversy over his time with the peak accounting body, a position he held as well as his University of Sydney role, over its handling of a payout and spending on the promotion of a former chief executive’s book.

“Professor Carlin has been central in formulating Southern Cross’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and it will give the University confidence in maintaining that course,” Mr Burton Taylor said.

In its response to impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, SCU has had to sell assets, cull some academic courses, and ask staff to accept a pay freeze to deal with a COVID-induced $40 million budget hole.

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