Enough, 'Professor' Palmer: university and tycoon in title fight

CLIVE Palmer gives every impression that he would prefer to be addressed as Professor Palmer, thank you very much.

Australian mining tycoon Clive Palmer unveils plans for a "Titanic II"

CLIVE Palmer gives every impression that he would prefer to be addressed as Professor Palmer, thank you very much.

He calls himself Professor Palmer in his company's letters to other businesses and governments. He is referred to as Professor Palmer in legal documents and formal filings in the Queensland Supreme Court. His website profiles, brochures and other promotional paraphernalia are adorned with the alliterative moniker, Professor Palmer. But the Queensland property tycoon and political aspirant - who is also commonly referred to as a "mining magnate" (even though he does not mine anything); a National Living Treasure (after his staff were instructed to vote online for him); and an appointee as Secretary-General of the World Leadership Alliance (after he had tipped more than $500,000 into the coffers of the sponsoring group, Club de Madrid) - might have pushed his professorial title too far.

Gold Coast's Bond University, which bestowed the honorary accolade of "adjunct professor" on Mr Palmer in recognition of "goodwill, positive endeavours and support" of the institution, rather than any academic prowess, wants him to stop misusing the privilege. The edict comes amid complaints from other senior academics who earned their stripes after long years of study.

University spokeswoman Terri Fellowes said: "We have clearly communicated to Mr Palmer the appropriate use of academic titles ... we are confused ourselves as to why Mr Palmer and other parties make continual reference to him as Professor Palmer.

"This is not an issue that that we have had to deal with in the past.

"We need to distinguish between honorary professors, adjunct professors and academic professors - the latter is a workplace classification given to academic staff employed by a university. An honorary professorship is typically awarded to academics from other institutions who have made an outstanding contribution to their discipline, and through their colleagues have supported the academic work of the awarding institution.

"While an adjunct professor is also honorary, it is typically given to individuals on the basis of recognition among peers of their distinction and achievement in academia, business, professional or cultural communities, or the public sector."

According to Bond University, when Mr Palmer was appointed as an adjunct professor in June 2008 he was advised, in writing, the rules authorising the title being published. These "conditions of use" are standard to all adjunct professorships.

One of the conditions was the use of the word "professor"; at all times, it needed to be preceded by "adjunct", a tell-tale clue to the status of the bearer.

Mr Palmer has dropped "adjunct" from correspondence, conference papers, brochures, publications and curriculum vitae. Another is that the use of the title "is normally reserved by the holder to matters and events of university relevance".

Bond University, which has begun a review of its policy on adjunct policy titles, appears uncertain about a remedy.

"It is an unusual occurrence for this to happen," Ms Fellowes said.

"In the first instance, we would inform the individual of the misrepresentation and remind them of correct use."

While Mr Palmer has never made any financial gift to Bond University, Ms Fellowes said he had shared his business expertise. Mr Palmer, who is running federal election candidates in every seat under his Palmer United Party, said last night in a tex message: "Your (sic) a liar for hirer (sic). I am a professor. U got academia envy. Take a cold shower."

Mr Palmer attended the University of Queensland in the 1970s, however, he did not complete his degree.