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Media Release

August 17 2006

UniSA welcomes Dr Mike Rann
Premier awarded Honorary Doctorate

UniSA has honoured Premier Mike Rann’s contribution to the establishment of the University by awarding him the title of Honorary Doctor of the University of South Australia this week. The award was presented at the morning graduation ceremony on August 18 at the Festival Centre.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Denise Bradley said Premier Rann has a strong and vital connection with the University.

“Just 15 years ago, it was Mike Rann, then the Minister of Employment and Further Education, who introduced the legislation that established the University of South Australia. His connections to UniSA and one of its predecessor institutions, the South Australian Institute of Technology (SAIT), are deep,” Professor Bradley said.

He was a SAIT Council member from 1987 to 1989 and a member of the Techsearch Management Committee from 1986 to 1990. After the formation of UniSA in 1991 he showed great interest in the institution and served on its Council from 1994 to 1996.

Professor Bradley said Premier Rann’s commitment to education as a key strategy in developing Adelaide as a creative, vibrant and successful community has been enduring.

“Premier Rann has supported the evolution of Adelaide as an education city and has been a strong advocate for a ‘South Australian education’ around the world. He has also encouraged and supported the notion of lifelong learning in the broader community.”

Born in the UK, Mike Rann immigrated with his family to New Zealand in 1962. He completed both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees at the University of Auckland before moving to Adelaide in 1977. In 1985 he was elected to Parliament as the Member for Briggs and four years later became Minister for Employment and Further Education, Minister of Youth Affairs, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister assisting the Minister for Ethnic Affairs. He became Deputy Leader of the Opposition in 1993 after Labour’s defeat and then Leader of the Opposition in 1994. He led the Labor Party back into Government in 2002.

Premier Rann gave the occasional address for the 360 business graduates.
 

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