[CDU eNews] - CDU APPOINTS NEW SCIENCE AND PRIMARY INDUSTRIES HEAD

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

CDU appoints leading academic

Charles Darwin University today announced the appointment of Christopher
Austin, an outstanding teacher, researcher and research leader from Deakin
University, Victoria, as Professor and Head of the School of Science and
Primary Industries.

CDU Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Garnett said she was delighted with the
appointment and said it was particularly appropriate that it coincided with
the opening today of the Arafura Timor Research Facility (ATRF), adjacent
to the university's Casuarina campus. This facility expands the
opportunities for partnerships across a range of marine-related research.

"Professor Austin has an outstanding record for building linkages and
partnerships and that will be invaluable here at CDU, especially in the
expanding VET and the pathways between VET and Higher Education, in
expanding our linkages with industry and in expanding our research,
especially in aquaculture, of particular relevance with the new ATRF.

"He has an excellent track record at Deakin in developing partnerships with
national and international organisations, such as the Research Institute
for Aquaculture No.1, Vietnam and the World Fish Centre, Malaysia. He has
also worked closely with the South Australian Research and Development
Institute and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, and also
developed a partnership with the Australian Maritime College.

"He won prestigious awards at Deakin for teaching and learning and also for
student research supervision. He has built partnerships that have resulted
in significant research income and cooperative teaching facilities.

"Significantly from a Territory point of view, he has achieved this while
working from the Warrnambool campus, and thus he is familiar with the
complexities of linking regions and campuses.  In his role here he will
need to build teams across the Territory particularly in primary
industries, for example the NT Rural College at Katherine being a
significant component of the school's effort."

Professor Austin, who will take up his appointment in November, said: "I am
delighted to have the opportunity to join a young and dynamic university
with so much potential for growth in a unique and important part of
Australia. I am excited about commencing at CDU, an organisation that has
established strengths in science and primary industries that strongly match
my own research interests and background.

"My experience in initiating and fostering research groups, especially in
the area of molecular genetics and biodiversity-related fields, my
background in aquaculture in Australia and internationally and my
experience in working in a multi-campus institution will contribute to my
approach to the position at CDU.

"I especially look forward to working with new colleagues at CDU to enhance
and expand teaching and research capacities.  At the same time I anticipate
developing productive collaborative relationships with external
organisations and industry in the Northern Territory to further both
research and quality teaching outcomes within the school."


Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

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