By Paul Dobbyn
AUSTRALIAN Catholic University vice chancellor Professor Greg Craven’s twice-extended appointment is acknowledgment of the key role his leadership has played in the university’s steady growth.
Acting ACU chancellor Edward Exell said the university’s growth had “almost doubled through a careful and measured process that has delivered astonishing results”.
“Professor Craven has been central to cultivating a premier institution for educating young Australian minds that has never strayed from its mission, and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and social justice within the Catholic intellectual tradition,” he said.
A renowned constitutional lawyer, academic, and contributor to public debate, Professor Craven has published numerous journals and books and writes regularly for Australian newspapers.
He has positions on organisations including Council of Australian Governments Reform Council, the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group,the National Catholic Education Commission and the Truth, Justice and Healing Council.
Key achievements during Professor Craven’s tenure, which started in 2008, include:
- Growth in student numbers from 11,000 to 19,000 (equivalent full-time student load)
- An increase in staff numbers from 1,284 to 1,854
- A renewed focus on research including the appointment of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), additional support for academics, recruitment of specialist researchers, and the creation of several new institutes
- The introduction of the Faculty of Business and Law, and Theology and Philosophy
- The opening of a seventh ACU campus in Adelaide.
Professor Craven will now remain in his role until December 2020.
