University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon. Photo: Rohan Thomson, Pew Pew Studio
Professor Paddy Nixon has stepped down as University of Canberra’s Vice-Chancellor and President after weathering the pandemic and associated challenges for the past four years.
He’s described running the university as “an absolute privilege” and said the decision had been made for personal reasons after “four very challenging years”. A statement from the university said Professor Nixon would be taking a career break in the immediate future.
Professor Nixon, who came to Canberra after a similar role at the University of Ulster, envisioned the university as a civic institution that would respond to the needs of its community.
“We aspire to world-class research and recognition,” he told Region. “But we do that by looking at local problems like support for teachers in our schools or engineering solutions to local environmental issues. We teach in the context of our community and we focus on supporting our community.
“There’s always a debate about what the value and purpose of a university degree is. But if you embed yourself in a community and find new opportunities to contribute to health, wellbeing and the cultural environment, these are things that will genuinely drive the university.”
Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Lisa Paul, said, “Professor Nixon arrived at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully navigated its challenges by protecting both jobs and student learning.
“He led the development of our comprehensive decadal strategy, Connected, which sets the university on a path to even greater excellence defined by the success of students, the impact of research and support to staff.”
Ms Paul noted that the University of Canberra had been named first in the world for reducing inequalities for two consecutive years. She lauded Professor Nixon’s particular commitment to working with First Nations people.
Professor Nixon said that the university had come a long way in very difficult circumstances for all tertiary education providers.
“Our success has been because we are a community truly dedicated to our core purpose of education and our commitment to this place. We would not have been able to reach this point without our exceptionally talented leadership team and the determination of our staff.
“I also thank the council for its support of me, commitment to university values and focus on our purpose.”
A global search will be undertaken as soon as possible to fill the Vice-Chancellor and President role. The university said that until that time, the Interim Vice-Chancellor will be Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Enterprise, Professor Lucy Johnston.
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