FIVE NEW DEANS APPOINTED

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Professor John Niland, today announced the successful completion of the process which will see five new Deans coming into UNSW in the first half of next year. The five faculties involved are:

· Faculty of Science

· Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

· Faculty of Engineering

· Faculty of Law

· Faculty of Commerce and Economics.

"To be searching for new Deans for five of our eight faculties has meant an unusually heavy period of recruitment, particularly in the context of the University filling both Deputy Vice- Chancellor positions and the recruitment of a new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research earlier this year," Professor Niland said.

"I am delighted with the eminence of those coming on board. The new Deans will join what is widely seen as the strongest leadership group in Australian higher education. This is critical given the increasing importance being assigned to, and the demands upon, those who fill leadership roles in Australian universities."

Professor Niland added that he was particularly conscious of the need to ensure a smooth transition to the new era at UNSW, with the University's fifth Vice-Chancellor set to succeed him in mid 2002: "UNSW has a peerless reputation for the quality of its Deans and Executive and these new appointments will help ensure the continuation of that fine tradition."

The new Deans are:

Science - Professor Dennis Lincoln, currently Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at Griffith University in Queensland, who is expected to join UNSW in early February 2002.

Arts and Social Sciences - Professor Annette Hamilton, currently Head of the Division of Society, Culture, Media and Philosophy and Professor of Anthropology at Macquarie University. Professor Hamilton is due to take up her appointment in late March 2002.

Engineering - Professor Brendon Parker, currently Dean of Engineering and Professor of Materials Engineering at the University of Wollongong, who is expected to join UNSW in late February 2002.

Law - Professor Leon Trakman, currently Adjunct Professor in Graduate Studies at Dalhousie Law School, Nova Scotia, Canada, due to join UNSW in March 2002.

Commerce and Economics - Professor Greg Whittred, Professor of Accounting and former Acting Dean of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, whose appointment will take effect in February 2002.

Biographical details of each of the new Deans are attached.

Media inquiries: Judy Brookman, Media Manager, Public Affair & Development, UNSW, tel. (02) 9385 3249 or mobile 0421 061 251.