The chief executive of Universities Australia (UA), Catriona Jackson, has announced that she will step down at the end of the year.

¡°After seven-and-a-half years at UA, including five as chief executive, it is time to hand the baton on, and the end of the Australian Universities Accord process is a good time to depart,¡± Ms Jackson said.?

¡°I have loved serving the Australian university sector and will continue to work in and around Australia¡¯s great universities.

¡°Our universities are precious national assets, working every day to improve the lives of every Australian, making our nation stronger, safer and more successful.

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¡°I sincerely believe an Australian university education is a ticket to endless opportunity and thank all those who have worked with me to protect and promote the sector I love.¡±

UA said it would commence an ¡°extensive search process¡± for a new chief executive.

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David Lloyd, chair of the UA board, said that Ms Jackson had ¡°done an outstanding job of fostering an environment in which universities can deliver for the nation¡±.

¡°She is a consummate professional and a principled advocate who has worked tirelessly on behalf of Australia¡¯s universities to promote our significant value to the Australian community and policymakers,¡± said Professor Lloyd, vice-chancellor of the University of South Australia.

¡°It is rarely an easy task, and often a thankless one, but Catriona has performed with diligence and determination. She has runs on the board and leaves the sector in a good position for the future.

¡°Catriona¡¯s tenure, of course, included the Covid-19 pandemic, through which she led our advocacy for a further A$1 billion [?523 million] in research funding at a time when it was needed most.

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¡°She has also driven our central involvement in the Australian Universities Accord ¨C a process she will see out as chief executive and one through which she is lobbying fiercely for the policies and funding settings that will support a thriving, diverse and inclusive higher education sector.

¡°On behalf of Australia¡¯s 39 comprehensive universities, I would like to express my complete gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Catriona for all she has done for higher education.¡±

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com