Edith Cowan University
Located in Western Australia, our dedication to providing industry-relevant teaching and research, supportive student experiences and award-winning facilities enable ECU students to think outside of the box, to use creativity to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.
Since 1991, ECU has reshaped the way higher education is delivered.
Our courses are developed in consultation with industry and our teaching staff bring extensive knowledge and networks to engage and inspire students. Work integrated learning placements, fieldwork, practicums, and networking events are just a few of the opportunities students can expect as part of their ECU journey.
ECU's higher education delivery approach has been rewarded with five-star ratings for undergraduate teaching quality for the past 18 consecutive years, with top ratings for overall experience, learning resources, skills development, and student support, in the Good Universities Guide, Australia's largest course comparison website.
Governance
The University Council is the governing body which controls and manages the operation, affairs, concerns and property of the University, in accordance with the ECU Act and the Corporate Governance Statement. Council is the governing body of the University as defined in Part III of the ECU Act 1984.
Council endorsed a statement on corporate governance in December 2002. The statement was amended by Council in December 2004, in June 2007, in March 2012 and in March 2015.
The Corporate Governance Statement assists current and future members of Council and executive management and senior staff in carrying out their respective roles. Furthermore, it informs staff and student members of the broader ECU community about governance processes, and for the external community, including stakeholders such as governments.
The ECU Strategic Plan, 2022-2026 – Towards the University of the Future, sets five strategic goals, building on our significant achievements of the last five years, and transitioning the University to achieve our vision for 2026.
The Chancellor
Ms Gaye McMath
Chancellor of ECU
Gaye McMath commenced as ECU’s sixth Chancellor on 27 August 2024. A member of ECU Council since 2022, and Chair of the University’s Quality Audit and Risk Committee, Gaye has extensive executive and governance experience and a comprehensive knowledge of the tertiary education sector. Her more than four-decade long career has seen her serve in a range of senior executive roles, including 23 years in the mining and resources sector and 15 years working in higher and international education. She is also an experienced non-executive director, having held board positions in a broad range of entities including listed companies, government trading enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.
In her 12 years as the Chief Operating Officer at the University of Western Australia, Gaye was involved in the development of UWA’s college row — a significant and successful project for the WA Minister for Education that contributed to all five WA universities, and resulted in 2000 PBSA being built in the city.
She contributed to the development of an international education strategy for WA, and was a board member of StudyPerth, working closely with all universities, the TAFE sector and private education providers. She also held the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor Resources and CFO at Murdoch University for three years.
Gaye holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Business Administration from the Melbourne Business School. She has also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, is a Fellow of CPA Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a recipient of the AICD PWC NFP award for good governance in the not-for-profit sector.
Governing body
University Council
The University Council is the governing body which controls and manages the operation, affairs, concerns and property of the University, in accordance with the Corporate Governance Statement. The University Council and the senior management team work together to ensure that the University achieves its goals. ECU's Council establishes committees to assist it in meeting its responsibilities.
As well as the Academic Board, Committees of the University Council include:
Foundation Board
Governance and Nominations Committee
Honorary Awards Committee
Legislative Committee
Quality, Audit, and Risk Committee
Resources Committee
ECU South-West Campus (Bunbury) Advisory Board
WAAPA Advisory Board (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts)
Membership
Official Members
Chancellor: Ms Gaye McMath
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Clare Pollock (Ex-Officio)
Chair of Academic Board: Associate Professor Madeleine Ogilvie
Members appointed by the Governor
Mr Mike Rundus (31 December 2027)
Mr Stuart Schonell (31 December 2027)
Mr Kevin Sneddon (31 December 2027)
Members co-opted by the Council
Deputy Chancellor: Mr Robert Radley
Ms Vanessa Martin
Mr Mark Puzey
Ms Elizabeth Tylich
Dr Heather Zampatti
Members elected by the university community
Academic Staff: Dr Christine Cunningham
Salaried Staff: Dr Kylie Austin
Students (Postgraduate): Miss Si Chen (Anna)
Students (Undergraduate): Miss Ella Ferguson
Alumni: Mr Damon Brown
Graduates: Ms Pearl Proud