Ms Christine McLoughlin
Chancellor of the University of Wollongong
Christine McLoughlin AM is one of Australia’s most respected business leaders, whose passion for bringing people together through education, sport, health and technology is well recognised.
An experienced company Director, Ms McLoughlin has served on a number of ASX-listed company boards in diverse sectors including financial services, resources, health insurance and infrastructure over the past 12 years.
She currently serves as Chairman of Suncorp Group Limited, a leading Australian financial & insurance services business, is a Director of Cochlear Limited and Chairman of Destination NSW, the lead government agency for the NSW tourism and major events sectors charged with delivering economic and social benefits to the people of NSW by growing the visitor economy. Ms McLoughlin is also Chairman of “The Game Changers” Ministerial Advisory Council, established by the Minister for Sport to provide strategic advice on how to fast-track women to take part in all levels of sport, both on and off the field and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Previous board roles have included Chairman Venues NSW, nib Holdings Limited, Spark Infrastructure, Whitehaven Coal Limited and the Victorian Transport Accident Commission. Ms McLoughlin was also the Australian private sector representative to the G20 EMPOWER Council, focused on the empowerment and progression of women’s economic representation across the globe.
Prior to her Board career, Ms McLoughlin’s distinguished executive career included legal, strategy and human resources leadership roles in financial services and telecommunications companies operating in Australia, the UK, New Zealand and South East Asia.
Ms McLoughlin is also highly engaged with the not-for-profit sector where she is an advocate for community inclusion. She is Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network which is a not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting the professional careers of elite women athletes and connecting communities through sports participation. This work is carried out on a pro bono basis.
In June 2021, Ms McLoughlin was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to business, the not-for-profit sector and women.
University Profile
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a leading global university powered by its people, partnerships and communities. We’re proud to be among the best modern universities in the world. In our 50-year history, we’ve built an international reputation for world-class research and exceptional teaching quality.
UOW has nine campuses throughout NSW, providing exceptional learning experiences that are specifically designed to meet the needs of our local students.
Internationally we have campuses in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Malaysia and a presence in China and Singapore. Through our partnerships with a number of international education institutions, we are creating a truly global learning environment, delivering a distinctive UOW experience across all locations. We foster a knowledge exchange and provide students with mobility opportunities to enrich their experiences and build lifelong networks.
UOW is a dynamic university, recognised for our innovative spirit and agility, we are fearless in confronting the challenges of tomorrow. Throughout our global network, UOW works together with industry, research partners, governments, communities and other universities to address society’s critical economic, environmental, social and medical challenges.
UOW’s new $80 million Molecular Horizons building opened on the Wollongong campus in 2020. Molecular Horizons is a centre for molecular and life sciences which houses Australia’s most advanced and powerful microscope. The work at Molecular Horizons will provide an understanding of how unwanted immune activity can cause disease, how bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, and how certain cell signalling events drive the development of cancer.
Construction is due to commence on UOW’s Health and Wellbeing Precinct in 2022. This Precinct will include a primary and community health clinic which offers truly integrated patient-centred healthcare, aged care and retirement living facilities, and research and teaching programs. Providing an inspiring model for other regional areas across Australia and the world.
Our Innovation Campus is a global nexus in strengthening business, education and research ties and has contributed greatly to increased collaboration between UOW and industry. The award-winning campus is helping to activate new economic activity and regional jobs, as well as increase Australia’s innovation performance. The $600 million precinct is home to four of the University’s research institutes, including:
Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM)
Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC)
iAccelerate, a business accelerator and incubator housing over 280 start-up entrepreneurs
UOW’s other research institutes and entities include Early Start Research Institute (ESRI), SMART Infrastructure Facility (SMART), Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH) and the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security (ANCORS).
University of Wollongong – Campuses and Teaching Locations
Australia
Dubai
China
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Singapore
To learn more, visit uow.edu.au
Governance
University of Wollongong Council
The Council is the governing authority of the University. One of the Council’s obligations is to ensure that the functions of the University, as set out in the University of Wollongong Act 1989 (NSW) (the Act) are met. The Council acts for and on behalf of the University and controls and manages the University’s affairs and concerns.
Council has approved the following Statement of Primary Responsibilities.
In accordance with its legislative responsibilities, Council has approved a statement of primary responsibilities which includes the following complementary responsibilities to those outlined in the Act:
through the Performance and Remuneration Committee, assess and determine the remuneration of the Vice-Chancellor;
approve key performance indicators for the evaluation of the Vice-Chancellor’s performance;
monitor the University’s performance in achieving goals;
review the University’s performance against budgets;
oversee University policies and practices to ensure consistency with relevant legislation and community expectations;
approve major decisions that have not been delegated to executive management;
foster and support links between the University and the community and network on behalf of the University to assist in achieving organisational goals;
oversee appropriate occupational health and safety policies;
manage the Council’s own affairs by:
establishing procedures to ensure it is in a position to perform its responsibilities;
monitoring and managing potential conflicts of interest;
effectively monitoring and managing its own operations, including proper execution by members of their fiduciary duties; and
reviewing and assessing Council’s performance through discussion at a confidential session of Council on an annual basis.
Membership of the University of Wollongong’s Council is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
Ms Christine McLoughlin FAICD – Chancellor (to 30 September 2025)
Professor Patricia M Davidson – Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Greg Rose – Chair of the Academic Senate
Appointed Members – Ministerial
Ms Katherine McConnell (to 31 December 2025)
Appointed Members – Council
Mr Robert Ryan, Deputy Chancellor (to 31 December 2022)
Mr Warwick Shanks, Deputy Chancellor (to 7 October 2023)
Mr David Groves (to 31 December 2024)
Ms Nieves Murray (to 31 December 2022)
Ms Natasha Nankivell (to 31 December 2022)
Mr Greg West (to 31 December 2024)
Ms Merran Dawson (to 31 December 2024)
Elected Members
Professor Melanie Randle – Academic Staff (to 31 December 2022)
Professor Lisa Kervin – Academic Staff (to 31 December 2023)
Ms Eve Steinke – Professional Staff (to 31 December 2023)
Ms Natalie Piucco – Graduate Member (to 31 December 2025)
Ms Sarah Vogel – Postgraduate Student member position (to 31 December 2022)
Mr Jackson Cocks– Undergraduate Student (to 31 December 2022)
Ms Mia Watson – Undergraduate Student (to 31 December 2020)
Other Governing Bodies
Other Governing bodies within the University include:
Academic Senate
Chair – Professor Greg Rose
Finance and Resources Committee
Chair – Mr Robert Ryan, Deputy Chancellor
People and Culture Committee
Chair - Mr Warwick Shanks, Deputy Chairman
Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee
Chair – Mr Greg West
Honorary Awards Committee
Chair – Ms Christine McLoughlin, Chancellor
Performance and Remuneration Committee
Chair – Ms Christine McLoughlin, Chancellor
Council Nominations Committee
Chair – Ms Christine McLoughlin, Chancellor
Council Committee of Appeal
Chair – Deputy Chancellor
Student Advisory Council
Chair – Rotating Student Representative