The University's founders were bold and contemporary. They held a sense of tradition, but wanted a university which stayed ahead of its time. Over the years, all those who have led this university have been charged with a responsibility to maintain its intellectual traditions and ensure that the university moves to the next level of endeavour.
So it is today, when we must confront the demands of the social and economic advances of the 21st century in a positive way to ensure the traditions of this great institution continue to be relevant to new students in a new era.
On taking office nearly two years ago, I made it clear from the outset that I believed my role was significantly to accelerate the movement of our University from a major regional and national knowledge resource to an international resource which pushes the boundaries of learning. It is what our visionary founders would have expected.
It has been my passionate belief that intellectual property will be the key to prosperity and stability in the years ahead, and our university will be critical to positioning Western Australia, and the nation as a whole, to engage fully in the knowledge revolution.
My early tasks involved gaining an understanding of the University from those who work here -- our highly professional staff. My continuing interaction with staff through on-going meetings at faculty and department level is an important source of inspiration and understanding.
I have also had the opportunity to develop an understanding of the community in which the University operates with a view to seeking out new and innovative opportunities for community interaction -- both at the cultural level, and with business, industry and government. In particular, I have initiated regular meetings with business and industry to provide the university with the opportunity to articulate the importance of collaborations and linkages.
I have also been a strong advocate for the University on the national and international scene, through involvement with other members of the 'Group of Eight' research-intensive universities, the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee (as Deputy President from 2000), Chairman of the AVCC's Standing Committee on Research, as well as with a number of other national professional bodies.
A vital internal step, with important ramifications for the university's external relations was the initiation of Achieving International Excellence -- an Operational Priorities Plan, to help focus our short-term activities towards our longer term global aspirations.
You will see from my report that the strengths of teaching and learning at our institution have continued to be developed, at the same time as we have been able to build on our international priorities and our research standing.
The University's Executive has worked as an outstanding team and I thank them for their dedicated commitment and support, not least that of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson. I also warmly thank the Chancellor, Clinical Professor Alex Cohen, and Senate for their support during a time of considerable change.
I am confident that our University can succeed in the quest for excellence at an international level. And I am equally confident that by being at the forefront of the 'knowledge revolution' (which will undoubtedly dominate the next century) we can best serve all those who join with us in the journey of discovery and learning.
Professor Deryck M. Schreuder
Vice-Chancellor | 