Mr James Harris
Chancellor of the University of New England
Mr James Harris is a recognised local business owner and has been a Grazier in the New England since 1979. He owns and manages the ‘Abington’ estate and established Forster of Abington Pty Ltd in 1990.
In 2007, Mr Harris was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University, University of New England. Mr Harris was first appointed to the University of New England Council in 1994 and has served on numerous UNE Council Committees to date including:
Chair, Buildings & Grounds Committee;
Member, Audit & Compliance Committee;
Member, Finance Committee;
Member, Standing Committee;
Member, Honorary Degrees, Titles & Tributes Committee; and
Chair, Audit & Compliance Committee.
Mr Harris served as Deputy Chancellor of the University from 2001 to 2007 and played a distinguished role on various Selection Committees for various academic appointments.
Mr Harris’ community involvement is also extensive and he has served on a number of community boards and committees including:
President of the Bundarra Jockey Club;
Chair of the Wool Expo;
Chair of the Fund-Raising Committee of NERAM; and
Trustee of NERAM.
Mr Harris is a Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW.
In 2019, Mr James Harris was reappointed as Chancellor of the University of New England by UNE Council for a second term of five years.
University Profile
The University of New England is a regional university with its primary campus located in Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. Established as an independent organisation in February 1954 under the stewardship of Sir Earle Page as Chancellor and Sir Robert Madgwick as Vice-Chancellor, the University of New England was the first Australian University established outside of a capital city.
With a history extending back to the 1920s, UNE is recognised as one of Australia’s best multi-modal teaching, training and research universities. In pioneering distance education, UNE has contributed to the nation’s development for nearly 100 years, enriching the lives of many people who would otherwise have been unable to access university studies. Over 85% of UNE’s students benefit from the flexibility of studying online, which allows them to balance work, life and family commitments with ease. On-campus students can tailor their learning experience by accessing digital and face-to-face delivery as their learning needs shift from trimester to trimester. Students who want to enjoy a vibrant residential experience have access to a range of accommodation options - from traditional catered colleges to independent, apartment-style living.
UNE has achieved the maximum 5 stars for overall student experience for 17 consecutive years, a feat unmatched by any other Australian public university, and is rated 5 stars for teaching quality and student support by Canstar Blue. Students can choose from a range of courses in the arts, humanities, education, health, economics, business, law, medicine, social and behavioural sciences, sport and exercise, and environmental sciences. UNE’s bespoke courses allow working adults to design a personalised learning program to suit their specific needs at any point in time.
UNE is internationally recognised for contributions to applied animal genetics and breeding, agriculture, law, social sciences, and health and medicine in a regional context. The UNE PhD (Innovation) is a unique higher research degree program that embeds practical research projects in industries and communities.
A network of study centres across the New England North West ensures UNE has strong regional representation in NSW and provides access and resources to students studying locally. UNE’s regional representation is extended by a city-based campus in Western Sydney.
UNE’s 10-year strategic plan, Future Fit, reasserts its founding goal to be a leading regional university and captures that legacy in a modern context. It sets out who UNE is as a university, its goals and strategies, and will guide their journey toward a vision for higher education that focuses on transformative opportunities, partnerships, engagement and knowledge creation. Central to Future Fit is a rearticulation of UNE’s strong focus on student access and success, support for partnerships grounded in a shared knowledge agenda, and a drive for innovation to enable economic growth and social resilience.
To find out more, visit the University of New England website www.une.edu.au
Governance
University of New England Council
The overriding function of the University of New England Council is to provide strategic leadership to the University. Council should have regard for the community it represents and ensure that the decisions that it makes reflect the values and expectations of its stakeholders and the community at large.
For further information, refer to the University of New England’s Governance Framework rule.
Membership of the University of New England’s Council is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
Mr James Harris – Chancellor
Professor Chris Moran – Vice-Chancellor
Associate Professor Jennifer McDonell – Chair of Academic Board
Appointed Members – Ministerial
Ms Meredith Symons
Mr David van Aanholt
Appointed Members – Council
Ms Jan McClelland AM – Deputy Chancellor
Mr Russel Evans
Mr Phil Hess
Ms Megan Aitken
Mr Col Murray
Elected Members
Professor Gabriel Donleavy – Academic staff
Mrs Kerrie Sheelah – Professional staff
Ms Emma Wellham – Student
Other Governing Bodies
Other Governing bodies within the University include:
Audit & Risk Committee
Chair – Ms Jan McClelland, Deputy Chancellor
Finance & Infrastructure Committee
Chair – Mr David van Aanholt
Honorary Degrees, Titles and Tributes Committee
Chair – Mr James Harris, Chancellor
Innovation & Development Committee
Chair – Mr Russell Evans
Nominations Committee
Chair – Mr James Harris, Chancellor
Remuneration Committee
Chair – Mr James Harris, Chancellor
Standing Committee of Council
Chair – Mr James Harris, Chancellor