December 1, 2023

UOW announces departure of Professor Alex Frino

Professor Frino led the Global Strategy portfolio for eight years

Professor Alex Frino has announced that he is leaving the University of Wollongong (UOW) after almost eight years leading the Global Strategy portfolio.

UOW appointed Professor Frino to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) in 2016, and later was promoted to Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation, Enterprise and External Relations). He previously held leadership positions at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University.

"While I have mixed feelings about leaving the University, now is a good time to go," Professor Frino said.

"I led the development of my global strategy in my first year at the University. With strong progress achieved towards our Indian campus and international enrolments restored to above pre-COVID levels, I have achieved all the key strategic initiatives laid out in those plans. It's time to hand the UOW Global leadership baton to the next person."

"It's been a privilege to serve in the senior leadership team at the institution where I started as an undergraduate student 35 years ago. Over the last eight years I have worked with many talented colleagues on some ambitious projects. I have also enjoyed working with the current leadership team led by Professor Davidson. The University is well positioned and has a bright future."

Professor Frino led the University's international portfolio during one of the most difficult periods in its history-the onset of COVID-19 and the closure of Australia's international borders. He worked tirelessly during that difficult period, which allowed the University to emerge from the pandemic in a stronger position than it was pre-COVID.

"Professor Frino has made significant contributions to UOW and on behalf of the University community I would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavours," Professor Davidson said.

During his tenure, Professor Frino maintained his teaching and research. This year, he took UOW's Global Leader BCom students to Cambridge University where he co-taught a finance course with the academic who was his supervisor at Cambridge University 30 years ago. He also led the rewrite of the sixth edition of his textbook: Introduction to Corporate Finance, with all future royalties donated to the University. Last year he won a prestigious Senior Fulbright Scholar award and travelled to the US to lead research on cybersecurity with his US colleagues.

He plans to spend time with his family, who live in Sydney, before taking the next step in his career.