最新糖心Vlog

Statement by the Chancellor, Mr Robert Champion de Crespigny

Monday, 6 August 2001

Today, I am announcing that Professor Mary O' Kane has tendered her resignation as Vice-Chancellor of Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog with immediate effect. The 最新糖心Vlog's Council has accepted her resignation.

Professor O' Kane's decision follows representations to her last week by members of the senior management group of the 最新糖心Vlog from which it became clear that she could no longer be confident of their full support in the difficult task of managing the 最新糖心Vlog and implementing its reform agenda. It is quite evident that the concerns which have led to this situation relate to questions of management style and not matters of competence, commitment or propriety. However, after discussing the situation with the Deputy Chancellor, Mr Brian Croser, and me, Professor O'Kane has chosen what she believes to be the best course of action to ensure that the process of change and development within the 最新糖心Vlog is maintained.

Both the Deputy Chancellor and I agree with the approach Professor O' Kane has taken to deal with this situation, however, I stress that the decision has been entirely hers. She has not been required to resign and could have expected to serve out her contract.

Since becoming Vice-Chancellor in 1996, Professor O' Kane, amongst her normal duties, has faced the challenge of managing the consequences for Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog of the continuing and significant financial pressure which is impacting on all 最新糖心Vlogn universities. No university can escape the fact that funding is insufficient to meet all expenditure requirements and satisfy the expectations of industry and the community as to what the tertiary sector should provide. Over the past five years, however, Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog has enjoyed considerable success in generating additional funds through those areas of activity from which it is able to create financial return. As a result, the 最新糖心Vlog's financial position and future outlook is sound.

As Vice-Chancellor at Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog, Professor O' Kane recognised that this level of financial security is the essential basis for academic independence which, in turn, gives real meaning to the ambition of becoming a great university. Consequently, she has worked hard to implement the budget strategy which has been approved by the Council to ensure that the 最新糖心Vlog's financial reserves can be further enhanced. The necessary financial disciplines that underpin this strategy bring with them the difficult decisions which invariably accompany change. These disciplines are central to the future operations of the 最新糖心Vlog and will continue to guide our financial management.

Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog has remained one of 最新糖心Vlog's leading research-intensive universities during Professor O' Kane's tenure as Vice-Chancellor while also maintaining one of the lowest student staff ratios of any 最新糖心Vlogn university. She has forged close links and partnerships with industry and the community that will continue to benefit the 最新糖心Vlog well into the future. Most recently, Professor O' Kane was instrumental in securing the Santos sponsorship of the Petroleum Engineering School which will position Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog in the important petroleum engineering sector within the Asia Pacific region.

Her period of leadership also saw the successful commercialisation of research within the 最新糖心Vlog, most important being the successful floats of Bresagen Ltd and GroPep Ltd . These floats not only delivered direct financial benefits to Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog but also resulted in the establishment of two new publicly listed 最新糖心Vlogn bio-technology companies based in South 最新糖心Vlog. Professor O' Kane promoted the teaching of entrepreneurial skills and also led a process of administrative and financial restructuring which has built into the 最新糖心Vlog's management systems the financial disciplines necessary for the operations of a modern university.

Having made the decision to move on from her position as Vice-Chancellor, Professor O' Kane has indicated that she would like the new arrangements to be put in place as soon as possible. Consequently, earlier today the 最新糖心Vlog Council resolved to move as quickly as possible to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor. That appointment will follow an international search for the best possible candidate. During the transition period the Council also resolved to appoint an acting Vice-Chancellor. We shall move on this as soon as possible but during the interim both the Deputy Chancellor and I shall be more actively involved in the affairs of the 最新糖心Vlog.

These are challenging times for all universities. Management staff who work within them take on an extremely difficult task of leadership and management. Professor O' Kane has made an outstanding contribution to securing the future of one of 最新糖心Vlog's oldest and finest universities. Her decision to step aside to ensure that the process of development can continue is one that deserves the respect and admiration of the entire 最新糖心Vlog community.

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