Nobel Laureate and incoming Australian National University Vice Chancellor Brian Schmidt has highlighted indigenous education, research and reconciliation as a priority for his leadership of the university.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Speaking for the first time to more than 1300 assembled staff while more than 600 accessed the live web-stream, Professor Schmidt expressed his desire for the ANU to become the "destination of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander intellectual leaders as a place of education, of research and of policy."
He was formally welcomed to the job by Indigenous academic Dr Asmi Wood, who has helped manage the National Centre for Indigenous Studies, is a senior lecturer in law and was mentored by Professor Schmidt after he took a keen interest in the Tjabal Centre, which provides a meeting place for indigenous students to access ANU services.
"He took a risk with a black man from the back of Bourke," Dr Wood said of Professor Schmidt's friendship, guidance and desire to engage more indigenous students in university life.
During the address, the welcome to country was conducted by Indigenous student Steph Pollard, a student who Professor Schmidt said embodied the qualities of the best future undergraduates.
"The first in her family to attend university, she has combined her studies here at ANU with a promising career on the athletics track. As a science student and as a representative at the Australian University Games, Steph has shown that excellence in the pursuit of both her career and dreams can be achieved."
Professor Schmidt also noted "I've known Steph since she was 9-years-old – my own boys and her ran together in Little Athletics at Queanbeyan... I am proud of what ANU has offered her and what she has offered back. I want more young leaders like Steph to have the opportunity to join this community."
Next week, Professor Schmidt will be joined by Indigenous leader, former Australian of the Year, and Professor of Law Mick Dodson, as well as newly announced Australian of the Year and former ANU graduate General David Morrison, and a special welcome ceremony for returning students.
Professor Schmidt pledged that he would foster a culture at ANU "that provides equally to women and men, equally to Indigenous and non-Indigenous, equally to people living with a disability, and equally to those who aspire to do great things regardless of sexuality, religion, ethnicity or socio-economic status."
After a one-term vice-chancellorship by Ian Young which was marked by industrial turmoil, budget and job cuts, Professor Schmidt said he wanted the ANU to be a "happy workplace and a safe place to study – a culture defined by trust and respect."
Chancellor Gareth Evans meanwhile, admitted the choice of the Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist had drawn a steady trickle of raised eyebrows from those who cornered him in airport lounges.
They had suggested it was a "courageous" decision to appoint Professor Schmidt without "the universally time-honoured pathway" through executive ranks.
But while Professor Schmidt did not require "a long apprenticeship in the dark and sorcerous arts of university academic administration," according to Professor Evans, he did hold the qualities of having "policy nous, vision, energy, communication and advocacy skills, a stellar IQ, a stellar EQ (emotional intelligence), an absolute willingness to get down in the weeds and get things done as well as a real capacity to bring everyone that matters along for the ride".
Professor Evans did warn the university community, however, not to "make the mistake of thinking Brian should be a soft touch…Maintaining the highest standards will require from time to time that tough decisions will be made. But I don't think there is anything about his style you will find arbitrary or unfeeling".
On Monday Professor Schmidt announced former Public Service Commissioner Andrew Podger will spend the next six months undertaking a community consultation process to secure the future of the troubled School of Music.
"Our artists and musicians will be of international standing and form the cultural foundation of our national capital. We are partners with our national cultural institutions in reflecting, understanding and shaping our national identity."
