Media Releases 2006

4 September 2006

AVCC Statement

The Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC) received a report and accompanying presentation from Mr David Phillips, Director, PhillipsKPA, on the outcomes of the PhillipsKPA review of the AVCC.

It was agreed that the AVCC needs to refine its focus and structure to become a peak industry body, the key role of which would be advocacy for higher education in the public interest.

It was further agreed that:

• Consistent with this changed focus, the AVCC will change its name to “Universities Australia”;
• All universities recognised in Australia shall be eligible for membership of Universities Australia;
• Universities will be represented by their CEOs;
• There is in-principle support for external representation on the Board;
• The November meeting of the AVCC will consider an implementation for these agreed outcomes; and
• The Secretariat will be available to support the University Chancellors’ Conference.

The AVCC also agreed that the structure of Universities Australia would be one that has a team as follows:

• A full-time President who will be the chief executive and will be the main external advocate and spokesperson for Universities Australia;
• A Chair of the Plenary and Board who is a current Vice-Chancellor; and
• A full-time Chief Operating Officer and a Secretariat to support the CEO and President.

These changes will be effected before the end of June 2007.

-ENDS-

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