Executive appointment - Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Engagement

Following an extensive search, Swinburne University of Technology has appointed Professor Simon Ridings to its Executive team as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Engagement.

Professor Ridings will be working with the university’s communities and rallying university partners around Swinburne’s very distinctive and differentiating strategic plan.

Speaking of the appointment, Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pascale Quester said to have such a respected leader join the Swinburne Executive Team will help advance Swinburne's ambitions to step up to the global stage in research, education delivery and student recruitment.

“I am delighted that Professor Ridings will be joining the Swinburne Executive Team. Professor Ridings has held diverse and influential portfolios at critical times of growth and transformation at three of Australia’s universities and understands the complexities and challenges ahead for the university sector,” Professor Quester said.

“Professor Ridings has devised, developed and managed innovative education partnerships across sectors and has been at the forefront of collaborative and commercial developments in dual-sector delivery, higher education pathways, service procurement and partner performance management. He will be a strong asset to Swinburne’s team.”

Professor Ridings said he was excited to be working with a university that is truly of technology, innovation and of entrepreneurship.

“I am looking forward to joining Swinburne and supporting the vision to be the new model of university that is fit for the digital future, and the prototype of best global practice.

“Swinburne has the most distinctive and differentiated strategic plan in the sector, and this supports its relevance, impact and relationships both locally and globally. I am very much looking forward to working with the university’s communities and rallying university partners around such a clear vision. Technology is Swinburne’s key differentiator, and this will create great, realisable opportunities for students, the university and its close partner organisations,” Professor Ridings said.

Professor Ridings has held academic and executive leadership roles in both business and health sciences faculties, and his former teaching areas included: Great Power Foreign Policy, International Relations, Economic History, Asian Business Development, International Marketing, and International Logistics. He holds a PhD from the University of Queensland. Professor Ridings was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International at Edith Cowan University, and held Deputy Vice-Chancellor roles at Curtin University and the University of Canberra. He will commence in mid-September.