From the Chancellery
by Professor Pal Ahluwalia,
Pro Vice Chancellor, Division of Education Arts and Social Sciences
I
have been Pro Vice Chancellor of the Division of EASS for just over
30 days, but I have spent just more than 30 years of my life
involved with universities in varying capacities.
I have always had a deep interest in the complexities of identity formation, yet my own upbringing and professional career reflects a myriad cultural influences. I was born in Kenya, schooled in Canada, received my Bachelors degree and my Master of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, and then completed my PhD at Flinders University here in Adelaide. I was subsequently at Adelaide University for 14 years, finishing as Professor of the Politics Department, then Visiting Professor with the University of California, and Professor with the Goldsmiths College at the University of London, where I was also Director of the Centre for Postcolonial Studies.
Prior to commencing as PVC, I was Research SA Chair and Professor of Post-Colonial Studies in the Hawke Research Institute and Director of the Centre for Post-Colonial Studies. At the same time I was a Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California. My main research interests lie in the areas of African studies, social and cultural theory, in particular, postcolonial theory and the processes of diaspora, exile, and migration.
As the largest Division in the University, Education, Arts and Social Sciences has a unique mixture of disciplines and research interests across the creative industries, humanities and social sciences. We also have a formidable group of teaching and researching academics with an astonishingly broad range of interests that will continue to contribute to the University.
The Division itself has a promising research future. By 2010, we aim to have reached a staggering $11.2 million in research income, achieved more than 55 per cent supported researcher status, further increased the quality and quantity of our research outputs, and enhanced our higher degrees by research completion rate.
The natural synergies that exist within this Division provide excellent opportunities for future expansion and I anticipate that, in line with the Vice Chancellor’s New Horizons paper, the Division will enjoy a period of change and growth.
My aim is to foster a culture which is passionate about teaching and research, which has a strong focus on nurturing and developing our people, and uses streamlined administrative processes to enable more direct outcomes to occur, and sets the benchmark for providing effective professional support to our stakeholders and communities.
It has been a privilege for me to work in so many dynamic institutions during my professional career and I have forged many strong relationships around the world with educational leaders. Together we have worked to create opportunities to facilitate change and to contribute in some small way to the betterment of global education systems.
But I am particularly excited to have returned to UniSA from the University of California, and pleased to be a part of the University’s Senior Management Group. UniSA has been able to develop and fulfil its goals and missions for several reasons, but none more important than that it has been, and remains, well led. I am confident that the University will continue to forge new directions in research and to broaden its role as a key player in the Australian and international education arena, and I feel privileged to be a part of the team that spearheads that.
It’s good to be here and I hope that I can use my knowledge and experience to further enhance our reputation and ensure that our community focus remains strong. I look forward to what we can continue to achieve, together.