December 10, 2024

Professor Max Lu AO appointed Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor Lu will return to Australia in May 2025 to lead the University of Wollongong in its 50th anniversary year

Leading chemical engineer and advanced materials scientist Professor Max Lu AO will become the University of Wollongong’s sixth Vice-Chancellor and President next year following his appointment by UOW Council today.

Professor Lu is an internationally renowned academic and leader in higher education. He is currently President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and was previously Provost and Senior Vice-President at the University of Queensland.

Following an extensive global recruitment process, Professor Lu was selected from a competitive field and will start at UOW in May 2025.

His academic output has earned him recognition as a highly cited researcher in both Materials Science and Chemistry for many years. He has more than 500 peer-reviewed articles in top academic journals with an h-index of 160 and a total citation of over 106,000.

Importantly, Professor Lu has had a longstanding relationship with UOW, where he is an Honorary Doctor of Science and has collaborated with local researchers and industry in his fields of expertise.

Chancellor Michael Still said Professor Lu’s appointment is an extraordinary outcome for UOW and will ensure experienced leadership at this critical time in the University’s history.

“As we enter our 50^th Anniversary in 2025 and grapple with unprecedented change in the Australian higher education sector, Professor Lu’s leadership will provide a clear direction for our global University,” Mr Still said.

“In addition to his experience and expertise, it was Professor Lu’s desire to return to Australia and to the University of Wollongong that stood out. He is a passionate advocate for expanding access to higher education and demonstrated a strong alignment with our values and our mission to deliver for the communities we serve.

“Professor Lu’s expertise in engineering and deep engagement with industry means he is also a great fit for our community in that regard, and we look forward to welcoming him to UOW next year.”

Born and raised in rural China, Professor Lu moved to Australia in 1987 to complete his PhD at the University of Queensland. During his distinguished academic career at UQ, he served as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Linkages), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and finally Provost and Senior Vice-President, before moving to the UK to become President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Surrey.

Professor Lu’s list of accolades, boards and advisory roles is extensive – spanning government, industry and community. He is currently a member of the UK Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology and was previously on the Australian Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council.

He founded the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials at UQ and served as its inaugural director for eight years. He was awarded the Australian Research Council Federation Fellowship in 2003 and 2008. In 2017, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Professor Max Lu said UOW is a truly global university that is poised to capitalise on its 50^th Anniversary and reforms relating to the Australian Universities Accord.

“I have long admired UOW as an institution that has delivered remarkable impact in teaching and research, and it is a great privilege and immense honour to lead the University as its sixth Vice-Chancellor and President,” Professor Lu said.

“I am passionate about expanding access and attainment among cohorts traditionally underrepresented in higher education and I know this is something engrained in UOW’s ethos.

“We also have an enormous opportunity next year to showcase 50 years of achievements and impact in the Illawarra and across the globe, and I look forward to engaging with staff, students and external stakeholders to celebrate this milestone and pave the way for a bright future.”