IRU is pleased to announce Professor John Dewar, Vice-Chancellor La Trobe University, will chair the IRU network of 7 universities for 2014 and 2015.

“Over 2014 IRU will demonstrate the importance of IRU research, and work to ensure that government policy settings allow this essential work to continue,” Professor Dewar said.

“IRU members focus on issues of critical importance to the communities in which we are based. We aim to address these problems on a national and global scale. One of the key strengths of IRU members is that we take a strong multidisciplinary approach to our research and teaching and are highly focussed on translating the results of our research into action.”

“2014 will see the Coalition Government bring down its first budget, taking account of the outcomes of the Commission of Audit and the Review of the Demand Driven Funding System. IRU is clear on the need to maintain Government investment in higher education and research and retain the key elements of the demand driven system.”

Professor Dewar was appointed Vice-Chancellor and President, La Trobe University in January 2012. Prior to joining La Trobe University, Professor Dewar was Provost at the University of Melbourne and Griffith University. He joined the Australian Higher Education sector 15 years ago, from Oxford University and is an internationally-recognised family law specialist and researcher.

Professor Dewar succeeds Professor Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor Charles Darwin University (2009-2013), as IRU chair.