Professor Andrew Parfitt
Vice-Chancellor and President
University of Technology Sydney
The impact of Covid 19 on education, digital skill shortages, and global connectivity has sharpened the focus on the role of universities as institutions of learning with a meaningful impact on the talent economy. Universities are critical as knowledge and innovation centres for society, whose vital role is to produce competent learners that are work ready.
The pace of change in business is so fast, that society can no longer wait three years for job-ready students. For Australia to succeed as a digitally enabled society, a more dynamic learning delivery model is needed – one that works collaboratively with both high schools, universities, VET providers and industry.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER:
Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President, UTS
Professor Parfitt joined UTS in February 2017 as the university’s Provost and Senior Vice-President. Previously Andrew was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He has also held positions as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice President: Division of IT, Engineering and the Environment at the University of South Australia, Director of the Institute for Telecommunications Research at the University of South Australia, CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems, General Manager of Space Programs in CSIRO and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Adelaide.
He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and a Fellow of Engineers Australia and has previously held adjunct academic appointments at Adelaide, Sydney and Macquarie Universities.
Andrew is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has been a member of many government, professional and industry boards and committees, including as:
From 2010 to 2012 Professor Parfitt was a ministerial appointment to the Commonwealth Government's Space Industry Innovation Council and was the Chair of the Universities Admissions Centre in NSW.
He has served on advisory committees to the Board of Studies, Teaching and Education Standards (BOSTES) in NSW and the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in the area of Initial Teacher Education.
Professor Andrew Parfitt is a respected university administrator with a strong background in engineering and technology, including telecommunications and space science.
Recognised for his energy, insight and deep knowledge of the academic environment, he has worked for over a decade at the intersection of education, research and industry to strengthen the performance of three universities: UniSA, Newcastle, and University of Technology Sydney.
Other career highlights include leading the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems, and stints with CSIRO and Defence Science and Technology.
Andrew is a champion of gender equity and increased academic participation by Indigenous Australians and students from diverse backgrounds, particularly in STEM.