Ms Gaye McMath
Chancellor Edith Cowan University
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.
University Profile
Edith Cowan University (ECU) provides the ideal learning environment for people who want to graduate world ready.
Located in Western Australia, our industry-relevant teaching and research, supportive study environment and award-winning facilities enable ECU students to do more than just survive in this world – they thrive in it.
Established in 1991, ECU took the opportunity to reshape the way higher education is delivered in a distinctive and inspiring campus environment.
ECU courses are developed in consultation with industry, and teaching staff have extensive industry experience and networks. It's why ECU students can expect work integrated learning placement opportunities, fieldwork, practicums and networking events as part of their studies.
This approach has been rewarded with five-star ratings for undergraduate teaching quality over the past 17 years, along with consistently high ratings for overall education experience, skills development, student support and learning resources, as reported in the Good Universities Guide .
ECU's world-class research strives to make a difference to the community in Western Australia and beyond. ECU focuses on working with our communities, business and government organizations to solve real-world problems.
The University was named after Edith Dircksey Cowan, the first woman to be elected to an Australian Parliament. Her life was dedicated to the belief that education was the key to growth, change and improvement in society.
Her example informs ECU's values as we pride ourselves in developing capable graduates who lead engaged and productive lives in the communities in which they live and work.
ECU has more than 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, including international students from 100 countries. Our eight schools collectively deliver a diverse range of courses across arts and humanities, business and law, education, engineering, medical and health sciences, nursing and midwifery, science and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Courses are offered on our three campuses – ECU Joondalup and ECU Mount Lawley in metropolitan Perth and ECU South West in Bunbury, 200km south of the capital city. ECU also offers a comprehensive suite of online study options.
In late 2025, ECU City will open in the CBD, to deliver a world-class Creative Industries, Business and Technology precinct in Perth’s Yagan Square.ECU incorporates the world-renowned Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, the oldest and most popular School of Education in Western Australia, the largest Nursing program in the State, and Kurongkurl Katitjin, our Center for Australian Indigenous Education and Research.
Strategic goals and Supporting Plans
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.
Several whole-of-University supporting plans (linked below) provide a bridge between the ECU Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and ECU’s annual operating plans. The supporting plans provide a coordinated approach to achieve a broad range of objectives for relevant Strategic Priorities from the Strategic Plan. Progress against each supporting plan will be reviewed annually, with adjustments incorporated where necessary.
· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan - PDF File, 113.5 KB
· Educational Experience Plan - PDF File, 84.0 KB
· Enrollment Growth Plan - PDF File, 76.7 KB
· Equity and Inclusion Plan - PDF File, 132.6 KB
· International Plan - PDF File, 81.7 KB
· People and Culture Plan - PDF File, 224.0 KB
· Regional Plan - PDF File, 74.2 KB
· Research Plan - PDF File, 82.8 KB
ECU’s Purpose, Vision, Commitments and Values
Our purpose
ECU’s purpose is to transform lives and enrich society.
Our vision
To lead the sector in educational experience, research with impact, and in positive contributions to industry and communities.
Our commitments
To achieve our vision, ECU will:
· be dedicated to every student’s success
· provide real-world research solutions
· create partnerships for economic and social well-being
· empower our staff to lead in a diverse and values-based organisation
· secure our future through innovation and leadership
ECU’s values
Students, staff and Council members will always conduct their study, work and service to the University in ways that embrace the following values:
· Integrity: we are ethical, honest and fair and demonstrate trust and personal responsibility
· Respect: we treat everyone within our diverse community with dignity and respect
· Rational Inquiry: our decision-making is driven by evidence, sound reasoning, and creative thinking
· Personal Excellence: we demonstrate the highest personal and professional standards
· Courage: we are bold and resolute in our thinking and actions in pursuit of our goals.
To find out more, visit the Edith Cowan University https://www.ecu.edu.au/
Governance
Edith Cowan University Council
The Edith Cowan 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.
For more information, please see: https://www.ecu.edu.au/about-ecu/university-council
Membership of ECU’s Council is as follows:
Chancellor
Ms Gaye McMath
Chief Executive Officer - Ex-Officio
Professor Clare Pollock – Vice-Chancellor
Associate Professor Madeleine Ogilvie - Chair Academic Board
Appointed Members – Governor
Mr Michael Rundus (to 8 August 2026)
Appointed Members – Council
Mr Robert Radley - Deputy Chancellor, (to 19 September 2027)
Ms Elizabeth Tylich (to 19 August 2027 )
Elected Members
Dr Christine Cunningham - Academic Staff (to 30 September 2027)
Mr Colin Watson – Salaried Staff (to 26 September 2026)
Mr Damon Brown – Alumni (to 31 December 2026)
Ms Pearl Proud - Alumni (to 31 December 2026)
Mr Rizly Abdue - Postgraduate Student (to 19 September 2025)
Mr Kobe Golding - Undergraduate Student (to 19 September 2025)
Other Governing Bodies
Other Governing bodies within the University include:
Governance and Nominations Committee
Chair – Ms Gaye McMath, Chancellor
Council Remuneration Committee
Chair – Ms Gaye McMath, Chancellor
ECU Foundation Board
Chair – Ms Gaye McMath, Chancellor
Honorary Awards Committee
Chair – Ms Gaye McMath, Chancellor
Legislative Committee
Chair – Ms Elizabeth Tylich
Quality, Audit and Risk Committee
Chair – Ms Gaye McMath
Resources Committee
Chair – Mr Robert Radley
South West Campus (Bunbury) Advisory Board
Chair – Ms Kerry Winsor
Advisory Board of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Board
Chair – Ms Di Bain
Academic Board
Chair – Associate Professor Madeleine Ogilvie