Amid ICAC probe, Peter Rathjen resigns as vice-chancellor of the University of Adelaide
Under investigation by ICAC for “allegations of improper conduct”, Professor Peter Rathjen has resigned from the job of leading the University of Adelaide.
Tertiary
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tertiary. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- SA Weekend profile: Rathjen’s plan to save our state
- ICAC bombshell: Inquiry into Rathjen’s conduct revealed
- Rathjen family company liquidated
Professor Peter Rathjen, facing an inquiry into his conduct, has resigned as vice-chancellor of the University of Adelaide.
“It is with sadness that I have tendered my resignation to the university due to ill-health,” Prof Rathjen said.
“However, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the university for the privilege of serving it and the people of South Australia.”
He said he wished the university well, especially as it “navigates the challenging times ahead”.
His resignation was announced by chancellor Catherine Branson QC on Monday.
Ms Branson said the university extended its appreciation for his contribution to the institution.
“Professor Mike Brooks has been acting vice-chancellor since Professor Rathjen was granted leave of absence in early May 2020, and I am grateful to Professor Brooks for the seamless continuity of leadership he is providing to our university community,” she said.
“The university will make an announcement about the search for a new vice-chancellor in due course.
“In the meantime, our focus will remain on the continued delivery of high-quality teaching, learning and research, supporting the state’s social and economic needs, and responding to the challenges faced by our community from the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.”
On May 7, the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Bruce Lander, announced he was conducting an inquiry into “allegations of improper conduct” by Prof Rathjen – a day after the university announced Prof Rathjen had taken indefinite leave.
Mr Lander said the fact he was investigating “must not be construed as a finding that any person has engaged in impropriety”.
He added that he was investigating “potential issues of serious or systemic misconduct and maladministration, not corruption”.
On Monday, ICAC SA declined further comment.
Mr Lander is due to complete his term in office by the end of August.
The university council, its governing body, had held a special meeting on May 4 where a matter was discussed “in camera”.
Prof Rathjen, who was appointed vice-chancellor in January 2018, pushed a strategic direction for the university to be focused internationally.
He travelled to promote the strategy, including attending university events in Shanghai and then Hong Kong in March 2019.
The university is now being run by Prof Brooks, who has said the university faces a major financial shortfall of $250 million over two years because of coronavirus restrictions affecting international students.
The university does not publish remuneration of individual staff. However, its 2019 annual report listed one member of the senior executive earning over $1 million.
Prof Rathjen’s resignation comes just days after the university appointed Ms Branson as its new chancellor.
She replaced Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, who brought forward his retirement to May 4.
Ms Branson described the ICAC inquiry as “a particular problem of our own which we regret but from which we are already learning valuable things”.
“We have no doubt the report of the Independent Commissioner will help us learn even more valuable things,” she said.
“I’m confident the university will come out of this even stronger.”
Prof Rathjen was a graduate of Blackwood High School and Adelaide University whose early academic career was in biochemistry.
As a Rhodes scholar he studied at Oxford, before returning to Adelaide and then Melbourne University where he became Dean of the Science Faculty.
In 2011, he became vice-chancellor of the University of Tasmania.
In 2019, Prof Rathjen was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for distinguished service to higher education through senior administrative roles, and as a scientist and medical researcher.