University of Canberra

he University of Canberra is a young, dynamic, professionally oriented university with a clear public purpose serving the people and communities of Canberra and the surrounding regions – city to coast, alpine to tablelands. Our location in Australia’s capital city, surrounded by dynamic areas of regional Australia, defines who we are and the unique offerings we take to the world. While our home is Canberra, our reach is global.

We are a young university with fierce ambition. Our continued success in research and education has been internationally recognised, resulting in UC becoming the world’s fastest rising university in the nation and the world (QS, 2019). UC has been named in the top one per cent of universities worldwide, placed in the 193rd position of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020, and is ranked 34 in the world’s top 100 young universities by the 2019 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.

We are a leading sports institution and have strong ties with elite sporting teams. We proudly own WNBL team the University of Canberra Capitals and our women’s rugby sevens squad competes in the Uni 7s Series. We support W-League team Canberra United and the ACT Brumbies Super Rugby team call our campus home.

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Governance

The University of Canberra is governed by its Council which is established by the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT). The powers of Council are established in section 10 of the Act.

The council is committed to good governance and creates the basis for management excellence by developing the University's mission statement, setting the strategic direction and approving the annual budget. It is responsible for ensuring the systems and processes to direct and control the University's operations are in place and working effectively. In addition, the Council fosters a culture that allows the University to deliver outcomes that are in line with its mission and strategic goals to all stakeholders.

Governance

The Chancellor

Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM
Chancellor of UC

Lisa Paul AO PSM became the seventh Chancellor of the University of Canberra on 1 January 2024. Lisa is a prominent policymaker and social justice advocate and advisor.

Lisa led higher education, science, research and innovation policy for the federal government as the longest-standing Secretary of the Federal Department of Education, serving five Prime Ministers and nine Cabinet Ministers between 2004-2016. Lisa started her public service career in the housing commission of the ACT government.

Since leaving government in 2016, Lisa has continued her commitment to higher education through an Honorary position at the Crawford School of the ANU, as an Enterprise Professor at the University of Melbourne School of Government, a Councillor of Bond University, a Director of the Future Battery Industry Cooperative Research Centre and as chair of the Audit Committee of the Australian Academy of Science. Lisa was a director of listed higher education company Navitas, the Melbourne Accelerator Program and she served on an advisory board for Charles Sturt University on regional issues. Lisa was Co-Chair of an Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Deputy Chair of a Review in the education portfolio to advise targets and reforms for the next national schools funding agreements.

In 2011 Lisa was made an Officer of the Order of Australia and in 2003 awarded a Public Service Medal for leading the Commonwealth’s domestic response to the Bali Bombings. In 2011, she was named federal government leader of the year by Chartered Accountants and has received other awards.

Lisa is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Institute of Management, the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Australian Council of Educational Leaders and the Australia New Zealand School of Government.

Governing body

University Council

The membership, qualifications and appointment of Council members are contained in the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT). Council members must abide by the following;

  • always act in the best interests of the University as a whole and not act as a delegate or representative of a particular constituency

  • act in good faith, honestly and for a proper purpose

  • exercise appropriate care and diligence

  • not improperly use their position to gain an advantage for themselves or someone else or cause detriment to the University or someone else

  • disclose and avoid conflicts of interest.

Membership

Official Members

  • Chancellor: Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM

  • Vice-Chancellor: The Hon. Bill Shorten (ex-officio)

  • Chair of Academic Board: Professor Carol Elisa Martinez-Marroquin (ex-officio)

Members appointed by the Chief Minister of the ACT

  • Deputy Chancellor: Ms Patricia Kelly PSM

  • Mr Medy Hassan OAM

  • Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown

  • Ms Alice Tay OAM

  • Ms Anna-Maria Arabia OAM

  • Dr Martin Laverty

  • Mr Michael Costello AO

Members elected by the university community

  • Academic Staff: Adjunct Professor Kieran Hynes

  • Academic Staff: Professor Benedict Sheehy

  • Professional Staff: Mr Peter Carling

  • Students: Ms Aleksandra Van Humme

  • Students: Ms Simone Chitsinde