The global hunt for the University of Wollongong's fifth Vice-Chancellor is on.
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It comes after current Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings announced on Tuesday that he would be stepping down from the role in June 2021.
Prof Wellings will stand down during his 10th year as Vice-Chancellor at Wollongong, having taken over the role from Professor Gerard Sutton in January, 2012.
His current deal at UOW was set to end in December of this year but the vice-chancellor extended his contract for a further six months.
His retirement will bring to an end a 40-year-long career which included periods as vice-chancellor of Lancaster University (2002-11) and deputy chief executive of CSIRO (1999-2002).
UOW Chancellor Jillian Broadbent said Prof Wellings has been an exceptional leader.
"The University has been transformed and its academic and research reputation strengthened," Chancellor Broadbent said.
"Paul has played an important role in advising the Commonwealth government on research infrastructure, international mobility initiatives, performance funding and the sustainable growth of the sector.
"We are sad that Paul is retiring as he has been a creative and dynamic leader. We wish him every success in the future.
"The University of Wollongong has now begun a global search for its fifth Vice-Chancellor."
The university hasn't indicated who is in line to replace the outgoing Vice-Chancellor Wellings, who is believed to be on a salary of over $900,000.
UOW's current Deputy Vice-Chancellor Alex Frino is sure to be considered.
The distinguished financial economist is an alumnus of UOW and Cambridge University, and a former Fulbright Scholar.
The born and raised Wollongong academic is also one of the best published financial economists in the world with over 100 papers in leading scholarly journals.
Prof Frino was called for comment but did not respond before deadline.
Meantime, the city's leaders and state and federal Liberal and Labor politicians alike have praised the departing vice-chancellor.
Even Georgine Clarsen, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) branch president at UOW, wished Prof Wellings a happy and long retirement.
"But we do note he has presided over changes that the NTEU doesn't agree with," Ms Clarsen said. "One of our big bugbears has been the increase in casualisation and insecure work for staff. We are also disappointed that he was the first to bring the Ramsay Centre course to Wollongong."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
