February 10, 2024

IRU congratulates Professor Barney Glover AO on appointment as Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner

The Innovative Research Universities (IRU) congratulates Professor Barney Glover AO on his appointment as the new Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).

Professor Glover has played a significant leadership role within the IRU and the Australian higher education sector. He has served as Chair of the IRU in 2013 and also as Chair of Universities Australia. Professor Glover was instrumental in expanding the IRU’s membership, bringing in Charles Darwin University in 2009 and Western Sydney University in 2017. More recently, he has been a member of the Australian Universities Accord Panel led by Professor Mary O’Kane AC.

Professor Simon Biggs, Chair of the IRU and Vice-Chancellor and President of James Cook University, congratulated Professor Glover on the appointment.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Barney in his capacity as Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University,” he said. “He has made many valuable contributions to the IRU, including expanding our membership, his leadership in higher education policy and his enthusiastic support of our international initiatives.”

“On behalf of the IRU, I wish him all the very best for his important new role.”

IRU Executive Director Paul Harris welcomed the appointment, which comes at a critical time for national policy reform.

“We thank Ministers O’Connor and Clare for their commitment to a stronger connection between the higher education and skills systems, with equity at their core. Universities play a crucial role in delivering the skilled graduates that Australia needs today and creating the jobs of tomorrow through research and innovation,” he said.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Professor Glover in his new role.”