Continuing our philanthropic vision
As we experienced significant changes in our global environment in 2020, the University of Wollongong also made some new leadership announcements, including the appointment of a new Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to help drive the University into the future, and ensure it remains true to its philanthropic values.
Chancellor, Ms Christine McLoughlin
Ms Christine McLoughlin joined UOW in October 2020 as the fourth Chancellor, succeeding Ms Jillian Broadbent AC, who provided outstanding leadership and governance to the University for the past 11 years between 2009 and 2020.
Recognised as one of Australia’s most respected business leaders, Ms McLoughlin is passionate about bringing people together through education, sport, health and technology.
An experienced company Director, she has served on a number of ASX-listed company boards in diverse sectors including financial services, resources, health insurance and infrastructure over the past 12 years.
She currently serves as Chair of Suncorp Group Limited, a leading Australian financial services business, is a Director of Cochlear Limited and Chair of Destination NSW. Previous board roles have included Venues NSW, nib Holdings Limited, Spark Infrastructure and the Victorian Transport Accident Commission. Ms McLoughlin is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).
Continuing the philanthropic legacy of her predecessor, Ms McLoughlin is also highly-engaged with the not-for-profit sector where she is an advocate for community inclusion. She is Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network which is a not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting the professional careers of elite female athletes and connecting communities through sports participation. This work is carried out on a pro bono basis, alongside her directorship of the McGrath Foundation. Ms McLoughlin is also the Australian private sector representative to the G20 EMPOWER Council, focused on the empowerment and progression of women’s economic representation across the globe.
Ms McLoughlin brings to the office of Chancellor demonstrated success in strategy development, market disruption, business integration, complex stakeholder engagement, organisational succession planning and talent development. She is committed to the highest standards of governance and performance. Her focus on stakeholder engagement has seen her build strong relationships throughout her career.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be elected as Chancellor of the University of Wollongong. From its headquarters in the Illawarra, the University has developed its reputation as one of the leading universities in Australia through its world class teaching and research programs, its extended regional engagement and its significant international presence particularly in the Middle East and South East Asia,” Ms McLoughlin says.
“I look forward to continuing the outstanding work undertaken by Jillian Broadbent which has seen UOW develop and perform so strongly under her leadership and guidance.”
Vice-Chancellor designate, Professor Patricia M. Davidson
Meanwhile, UOW will welcome its fifth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia M. Davidson, who will succeed current Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE when he retires in May this year (2021).
A global leader in the field of nursing, cardiovascular science, and global health, Professor Davidson brings to the role an impressive background that has seen her work across – and in partnership with – international institutions and universities. Currently, she is Co-Secretary General of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery and Counsel General of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues.
Professor Davidson has been at the epicentre of the COVID-19 crisis as the Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore in the USA. As the vaccination program was rolled out in the United States, Professor Davidson called on her many years of nursing experience to assist with the administration of the vaccines.
Having authored more than 500 peer-reviewed journal articles and 30 book chapters, she is passionate about nurturing early and mid-career researchers, and about the importance of interdisciplinary research. Much of her career has been devoted to the needs of women and disadvantaged communities. In 2016, she received the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.
As a UOW alumna, and with strong philanthropic values of her own, Professor Davidson will return to the place where she began her career in academia. She completed her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education at UOW and in 2013, received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Prior to her studies at UOW, Professor Davidson was a clinician and nurse consultant undertaking her clinical training at Wollongong Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
“I am honoured and humbled to take on this role at this critical point in history. I have watched UOW expand and flourish since I started here as a student in the 70s and am excited to be part of the next phase of the University’s history and to build on the exceptional achievements of Vice-Chancellor Wellings and Chancellor Broadbent,” Professor Davidson says.