The IRU welcome today’s announcement that Professor Sandra Harding will lead Australia’s universities through the 2013 election period as Universities Australia’s incoming Chair from 2 May 2013. As the nation approaches the September election, Australia’s education sector should be high on the agenda, as a key factor in Australia’s capacity to meet the challenges ahead.

“We are delighted with Professor Harding’s election by her fellow Vice-Chancellors. Professor Harding has been Vice-Chancellor and President of James Cook University since 2007, and was Chair of the IRU for 2009 and 2010.” said Conor King IRU Executive Director.

“In selecting Professor Harding as the incoming Chair, UA has recognised Professor Harding’s outstanding contribution to higher education within Australia, the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

“JCU is an exemplar university, one with multiple areas of world class research that provides a broad range of higher education to a major region of Australia with currently low higher education attainment while being seriously engaged in the challenges of the tropics around the globe from its campuses in northern Queensland and Singapore.”