Emeritus Professor Nicholas Saunders AO has been appointed to the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Bond University, bringing with him a distinguished and outstanding record as both an academic scholar and senior manager.
Professor Saunders was previously the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle for seven years before retiring in late 2011. Prior to this he held several senior academic roles including Dean of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University; Head of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine at Flinders University and positions at McMasters University, Canada and Harvard University, USA.
Bond University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford said he was delighted that Professor Saunders will join Bond.
“Professor Saunders is highly respected within academic, health and government networks both in Australia and internationally,” he said.
“He has led a remarkable international career in medical education and research and has contributed significantly through his participation on councils, committees and government review boards.
“I personally look forward to working with Professor Saunders, particularly given our backgrounds and skill sets are complementary.”
Professor Saunders holds a medical degree with first-class honours from the University of Sydney and has been influential in the advancement of medical education through his extensive contribution to and participation on many higher education, research and health care national committees, councils and State Government bodies.
In 2002 Professor Saunders was awarded the Centenary Medal and in 2012 appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition for his contribution and distinguished service to medicine and higher education.
Throughout his career he has been Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council; served on the Higher Education Council; the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering and Innovation Council; the Australian Research Council; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council; the Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools (Chair 2000-2002); the Board of Universities Australia; the Victorian Premier’s Council for Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Engineering; the Postgraduate Medical Council of NSW; and the 2011 Ministerial Review of health and medical research in NSW.
He was a member of the Council of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and Chair of the College’s Board of Continuing Education, where he was responsible for establishing the RACP Maintenance of Professional Standards program. And he is the recipient of the RACP Medal and the Wunderly Medal of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Professor Saunders will commence as Bond University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost on October 8, 2012.