University of Queensland announce their next Vice-Chancellor

After months of searching, the University of Queensland has announced its replacement for vice-chancellor Peter Høj — and it will be a homecoming.

ESTEEMED Professor Deborah Terry is set to return to Brisbane as the University of Queensland’s next vice-chancellor and president.

UQ have announced Professor Terry will take over the plum gig from retiring vice-chancellor Professor Peter Høj from August 1 next year.

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It will be a return to the Sunshine State for Professor Terry, who spent 24 years at UQ in various positions before taking up the role of vice-chancellor at Curtin University in Western Australia in 2014.

She said she was “honoured and delighted” to take up the role, and “looks forward to building on Professor Høj’s significant legacy in order to lead UQ through its next phase of development and impact”.

University of Queensland’s next vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Terry

UQ Chancellor Peter Varghese said the UQ Senate’s decision was unanimous, and that Professor Terry had led Curtin University to be regarded as one of the country’s “rapidly rising universities”.

Mr Varghese said the criteria for a new vice-chancellor had been informed through consultation with students, staff, and alumni.

“Like many industries, the university sector is going through significant change, combined with much economic and political uncertainty,” he said.

“Professor Terry’s deep knowledge of the sector, her focus on people and culture and her track record in building partnerships, with government and enterprise at home and abroad, are the skills needed to build on the great achievements of Professor Høj.”

Though he had originally been slated to retire next June, Professor Høj will now stay on until Professor Terry commences.

“Closer to the time we will have an opportunity to acknowledge Professor Høj outstanding leadership and achievements during his time at UQ,” Mr Varghese said.

Current vice-chancellor Peter Høj is set to retire from the role in mid-2020.