Cochlear CEO and President Chris Roberts has been awarded an honorary doctorate by UNSW, in recognition of his eminent service to the University, the community and to health and medical research.
Susi Hamilton
UNSW Media Office
9385 8920 or 0422 934 024
susi.hamilton@unsw.edu.au
Cochlear CEO and President Chris Roberts has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
The degree recognises his eminent service to UNSW, the community and to health and medical research.
The Doctor of Science honoris causa continues a long association with UNSW for Dr Roberts. He holds two degrees from the University: a Bachelor of Engineering in chemical engineering with honours and a Doctor of Philosophy. He is also a Foundation Member of the UNSW Medicine Advisory Council.
Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, having helped over a quarter of a million people reconnect to the world of sound. Cochlear is a partner with Brain Sciences UNSW on an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant to develop a next-generation cochlear implant device.
Dr Roberts has worked in the global medical device industry for 36 years in a number of senior management positions, including at Cochlear and previously at ResMed.
In his address to graduating medical students, he spoke of becoming “hooked” by medical device technology while studying for his engineering degree at UNSW.
He also shared three lessons he had learned in his distinguished career: the importance of multidisciplinary teams; the need to take a longer-term view; and finally, having the courage to pursue research and develop a healthy scepticism.
His other achievements include: Chairman of Research Australia Ltd (2004 – 2010); AGSM Global Business Leader (2006); member of the National Health and Medical Research Council (2003 – 2006) and a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Read the full citation here.