Southern Cross University announces new Vice-Chancellor

Southern Cross University’s Chancellor, the Honourable John Dowd AO QC, has announced today that Professor Peter Lee will take up the position of Vice-Chancellor in early September.

The appointment of Professor Lee, who is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) of the University of South Australia, follows an extensive recruitment process. Professor Lee will succeed the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Clark, who is retiring in August.

Chancellor Dowd said he was extremely pleased with the appointment of Professor Lee, who had a strong record of achievement and experience in university leadership and an outstanding career in teaching and research.

“We are delighted to have someone of Professor Lee’s calibre to lead Southern Cross University into the next phase of its development,” Mr Dowd said.

“Professor Lee has demonstrated a strong passion and commitment to scholarship and research and we look forward to welcoming him to the University.”

Prior to his current position at the University of South Australia, Professor Lee held executive roles at the Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch University and the University of Queensland.

Professor Lee has a Bachelor of Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a PhD from Monash University. From 2004 to 2008 he was named in the top 100 most influential engineers by Engineers Australia and was the recipient of the Australian Government Centenary Medal in 2003.

He is the author of four books and 99 refereed journal papers and has won in excess of $4.7 million in competitive research grants for universities.

Professor Lee said he was delighted to accept the appointment.

“I am delighted and honoured to be chosen to lead Southern Cross University at an exciting time in its development,” Professor Lee said.

“The University has performed exceptionally well and is highly regarded for its student friendly approach and its strong research in regionally relevant and globally significant fields of investigation. I look forward to working with staff, students and the wider community.”

Professor Lee will take up his appointment in early September.

Photo: Professor Peter Lee, who will succeed the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Clark, who is retiring in August.