Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)

Education at the University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide maintains a strong tradition of innovative, progressive and high quality education, providing outstanding learning opportunities across a wide range of disciplines. Excellent teaching, combined with diverse and exciting curricula provide a vibrant intellectual environment that encourages inquiry and analysis, promotes the development of problem-solving ability and a commitment to lifelong learning, and a sound preparation for future careers.

The University’s academic programs are regularly reviewed and benchmarked against the best in Australia and, increasingly, internationally. Its teaching staff consists of outstanding and committed individuals. Indeed, from the time of its founding in 1874, the University has been a leading example of what can be achieved by educators united in the common goal of creating an exciting learning environment. This environment is created through delivering world class research outcomes and first class learning experiences to students from the state, from the nation and across the world. It has resulted in the University producing 102 Rhodes Scholars, five Nobel Prize Winners and  99 Fullbright Scholars, and outstanding individuals such as Dr Andy Thomas, space shuttle crew member and, currently, Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA.

The University of Adelaide is a forward-looking, dynamic university with a strong international focus, and a strong commitment to the state and to the nation. Learning, research and scholarship are highly valued and promoted, resulting in quality programs and graduates of the highest calibre, who contribute extensively to their local communities and the world at large.

Role of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)

The role of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) is to provide leadership in achieving the University's strategic goals, particularly in relation to learning and teaching, including the provision of quality student experience across the University and the ongoing professional development of University staff. Fundamental to the role is the development of educational frameworks and policies, including the University's 2009-2011 Education Plan, that support the University’s strategic goals, and which provide faculties and other areas guidance and support in achieving them.

Key responsibilities include:

• direct oversight of day to day operations of core education activities, including integration of faculty planning with University-wide planning, resource management,  quality assurance and compliance, and associated major projects;
• educational planning and policy, including quality assurance in relation to undergraduate education and scholarships, postgraduate coursework, development of University entry policy and oversight of University entry;
• oversight of University review processes, in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research);
• academic promotions and staff development;
• oversight of the management and development of the Singapore Campus;
• oversight of student services, student welfare and academic support for students, including English language training;
• oversight of preparation of submissions to Government and other major bodies.

Biography of Professor Fred McDougall

Professor Fred McDougall was appointed to the Foundation Chair in Management in the University of Adelaide in 1987. Prior to this appointment, he held the Foundation Chair in Accounting at the Flinders University of South Australia, following academic appointments at the University of Melbourne, the University of Glasgow, and Macquarie University, as well as an earlier stint at the University of Adelaide. He has also held visiting appointments at Southampton University (UK), Concordia University (Canada), Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (Portugal), the University of Reading (UK), the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration (Finland), and Texas Christian University (USA).

Professor McDougall was Director/Head of the University’s Graduate School of Management for a total of 13 years, and served as the Executive Dean of the Faculty of the Professions prior to his appointment to his current position.

Professor McDougall's research and teaching interests are in the areas of corporate strategy, corporate and international finance, and mergers and acquisitions. He has supervised over 50 candidates in PhD, Masters and Honours studies. He is widely published in Australian and international journals, has made contributions to books of readings, in addition to extensive conference presentations in Australia and overseas.

His membership of academic associations include the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, the American Finance Association, the Financial Management Association, and the Academy of Management.

Professor McDougall has acted as a consultant to numerous organisations in Australia and overseas. He has served as a director of several companies.

Professor McDougall was awarded a B.Com (Hons), a M.Com and a Diploma in Education by the University of Melbourne, and a PhD by the University of Adelaide, and is a CPA (Fellow).