UQ Vice Chancellor retires from $1.1 million job

The Vice Chancellor of one of Australia’s biggest and most prestigious universities has announced his plans to retire from his $1.1 million-a-year Queensland-based job.

THE University of Queensland’s Vice Chancellor has announced his retirement after seven years in the role.

The university yesterday revealed the academic, on a salary of $1.1 million, would retire in June next year, after Prof Peter Hoj met with Chancellor Peter Varghese AO on May 13.

Chancellor Peter Varghese AO said Prof Hoj’s “thoughtful decision” to give notice so far in advance would ensure a smooth transition. Mr Varghese said the role of Vice-Chancellor often came at an expense.

“To achieve so much requires great personal sacrifice and energy, and Peter has done this with the utmost passion and integrity,” he said.

UQ Vice Chancellor Peter Hoj has announced his retirement. (Photo AAP/ Megan Slade)

In an internal email Prof Hoj wrote to colleagues: “Last night you should have received an email from the Chancellor announcing my intention to retire as Vice-Chancellor on 30 June next year, a decision that I had communicated to him formally on 13 May.

“When I reflect upon my career, I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to meet and work with people like you. People who believe in the power of education and the impact of research, to tackle our biggest challenges and create a better future for us all.

“In short: ‘Knowledge leadership for a better world’. Indeed, I remain as committed as ever to working with you to deliver the ambitious program we have set out for UQ — we still have much to achieve together in the next 13 months.”

There was speculation that the controversy over the introduction of a degree partnering the university with the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation may have played a role in the academic’s decision, but Prof Hoj could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Mr Varghese acknowledged the enormous contribution Professor Hoj has made to UQ during one of the most significant periods of change for the sector.

“Under Peter’s leadership, UQ’s budget has returned to surplus through significant growth in international student numbers, business partnerships and improved operating performance,” he said. “Peter has also led the development of UQ’s first philanthropic campaign, which has now raised $400m of our $500m target and, last year alone, awarded scholarships to more than 505 students who otherwise may not have had the chance to study at UQ. Peter has overseen an improvement in UQ’s international rankings … When Peter took up the Vice-Chancellor position, UQ was ranked 90 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Today it is ranked 55.”