News & Views item - August 2011

 

 

ANU Vice-Chancellor Alludes to New Strategic Plan. (August 16, 2011)

Ian Young has took over the vice-chancellorship of The Australian National University five months ago. Now in his introduction to the Spring issue of the ANU Reporter Professor Young announces that: "one thing is plain – ANU is home to staff and students of exceptional quality and vigour. My aim is to make the most of that energy and excellence, and build on it."

 

If the latest rankings by the Academic Ranking of World Universities in which ANU has dropped 11 places from 59 to 70 with The University of Melbourne moving up from 62 to 60 is of consequence, he will have some work to do.

 

Putting that aim into action is my first big task, and the new strategic plan, ANU by 2020, will be issued in its final form very shortly. It will build the University’s profile as Australia’s national university and Australia’s finest university. [Its] set of goals and targets, [will be] focused on boosting excellence in three key areas: research, education and our role as a public policy resource for the nation... the vast majority of ANU staff will be research-active and our education will continue to be grounded in what we research.

 

We will also establish a $10 million fund to attract and retain new world-class staff at senior and midcareer levels. But most of all ANU by 2020 is about people: staff, students and alumni.