Professor John Dewar AO has joined UOW as Interim Vice-Chancellor.
Hello everyone, I'm John Dewar, your new Interim Vice-Chancellor, and I'm thrilled to be joining the University of Wollongong (UOW) community for the next six months.
For almost 50 years, the University of Wollongong has been delivering quality higher education and fostering research outcomes in the communities we serve, and I’m proud to be a part of its journey.
We're living in a world where university graduates are more important than ever. Did you know that over half of new jobs in the next five years will require a Bachelor's degree or higher? That's why we're constantly refining our programs to ensure our students are ready for whatever comes next. AI and automation have been changing job requirements and transforming whole industries, and many of the pathways into a working life have changed dramatically.
But university isn't just about hitting the books; it’s here to develop well-rounded individuals. You’ll always find us expanding our extracurricular offerings and industry collaborations. We’re also focused on student support and career management, while you’re at university as well as after graduation. This includes the great work iAccelerate are doing to support students with entrepreneurial ambitions or goals of starting their own business.
UOW actively works on enhancing mental health support and financial assistance, making sure both your academic and personal lives are as smooth as possible. If you're struggling, please reach out – we're here to help.
Remember, you are a part of a generation that's already changing our nation, whether in the realms of sustainability, tech capabilities, social justice, global connectivity or innovative problem-solving. Your unique perspectives and skills are shaping the future in ways we've never seen before. Our role as educators is to harness your passion and equip you with the skills to make a real impact.
I can't wait to say hello as I get around campus and hear more about the student perspective.
All the best,
John
Professor John Dewar AO
Interim Vice-Chancellor and President