WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL 2023

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne, is the new Chair of the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN), taking over from Deakin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin.

Prof. Hayne paid tribute to the strong leadership delivered by the outgoing Chair in the past two years.

“I’d like to extend my appreciation to our previous Chair, Professor Iain Martin, for his exemplary work with the ATN since 2021,” Prof. Hayne said.

“I am thrilled to be the Chair of ATN Universities and to be given the opportunity to help lead the way for some of the most innovative and enterprising institutions in Australia. Our sector finds itself in interesting times and the ATN is in a very strong position to navigate them, particularly as we embark on the Accord process and what should be significant reform for Higher Education.”

Prof. Martin said his time as Chair had been fulfilling, notably during a period of upheaval in the sector.

“The global pandemic tested the resilience of all our universities and it’s a testament to our strength as a collective that we are stronger today than we were then,” he said.

“So much has changed because of the pandemic but by adapting rapidly, both individually and as a technology network of universities, we have continued to provide world-class education and support to our students.”

ATN Executive Director Luke Sheehy said ATN is well positioned to strengthen its standing in higher education.

“We are very fortunate at the ATN to have such a strong group of leaders among our Vice Chancellors. ATN is a strong, cooperative network of peers, all sharing common goals, which is reflected in the qualities of both our outgoing Chair and incoming Chair. I thank Iain for his direction and guidance and can’t wait to get down to work with Harlene,” he said.