A University of Queensland medallist has returned to the University in one of its most senior academic posts after a varied career in government, private consulting and academe.
Professor Trevor Grigg, an engineering, economics and PhD graduate of the University, today (October 13) takes up a post as University of Queensland Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
The position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) was created following a major re-organisation of the University of Queensland's academic and administrative structures and policies last year.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor (Professor John Hay), and in a number of areas, will also work closely with the University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Professor Ted Brown).
Professor Grigg said he anticipated his position would have extensive involvement in University-wide projects, including internationalisation of the University.
'The University intends to double its number of international fee-paying students to 10 percent of its total student load,' he said.
'Postgraduate students will be a particular focus, and I will work to ensure there is University-wide support for initiatives that increase enrolments of international students.'
Professor Grigg said his responsibilities would include collaboration with external enterprises to develop significant new initiatives involving companies, corporations and government instrumentalities to maximise benefits to the University.
They will also include a key strategic planning role with the University's seven faculties, in the strategic development of new facilities and infrastructure and strategic reviews of departments and centres.
Professor Grigg will have responsibility for the planning of University's major new campus at Ipswich, which will include a course development centre and an IT-based facility to enhance teaching and learning options available to all the University's students.
'My view is that this campus will become a leading centre within the University for University-wide on-line teaching and research, flexible delivery and open-learning,' he said.
'It will also provide opportunities for academic developments in new and emerging disciplinary areas such as integrated corporate and business communication.
'This campus will be important to the whole University in the unfolding digital future.'
Since 1995 Professor Grigg has been Dean of the Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Business, one of the largest business faculties in Australia, with almost 7000 students and 265 staff. He has presided over a period of significant changes in academic degree programs, commitment to research, academic structure and governance and financial and administrative management.
A University of Queensland first-class honours graduate (bachelor of engineering, civil, 1969) and University Medallist, he subsequently was awarded a University of Queensland bachelor of economics degree (1972) and a PhD (1981).
Professor Grigg headed the University's Graduate School of Management from 1992 to 1994 and previously taught in both the University's Graduate School of Management and the Civil Engineering Department. He has been a visiting research associate at the University of Pennsylvania.
As well as his career in academia, he was worked in the policy departments of two State Governments, and as a management consultant.
Professor Grigg has maintained an active involvement in Government and business research, consultancy and management development education activities, and is currently a director on the board of two organisations, one with Brisbane Water. He has been a member of the Australian Research Council's University-Industry Research Collaborative Committee since 1995 and holds other appointments.
Professor Grigg succeeds former Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) Professor Malcolm Thomis, who has been acting in the position.
For further information, contact Professor Grigg, telephone 07 3365 4200.
