Top insider to lead health
by Michèle Nardelli
In a world where the competition for top jobs is definitely global it is not every day that a “home-grown” candidate is successful.
So when UniSA graduate, Professor Allan Evans, (pictured), won the position of Pro Vice Chancellor for the Division of Health at the University last month, it was a win in two ways. UniSA had captured the best candidate from an international field and at the same time confirmed that the institution delivers highly accomplished graduates.
"I am proud of my progression through the institution and really excited to be part of what I have always seen as a growing, developing and optimistic environment," Prof Evans says.
"UniSA is a place that gives you the freedom to choose your own pathway to success, and that doesn’t apply to every workplace. People are allowed to take ownership of their research and their careers, so we have an environment at UniSA where our people have real passion for their work which fuels innovation and achievement."
And there are not many people who know the University as well as Professor Evans.
Since 1992 his roles at UniSA have included course coordinator, program director, head of a growing research centre and most recently Head of the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. He has also worked closely with more than 30 different companies in the pharmaceuticals sector and played a key part in the development of two important spin-off companies, PharmaQest Pty Ltd and CPR Pharma Pty Ltd.
Prof Evans graduated from the University’s antecedent, the SA Institute of Technology (SAIT) in 1982 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy.
Back then, before the institution had University status, he had to enroll at Adelaide University to compete his PhD under the supervision of academics working at the SAIT including the nationally respected, Professor Lloyd Sansom. SAIT couldn’t offer PhD programs back then.
He says one of his most valuable experiences was his postdoctoral years at the University of Manchester (1989-1991).
"It was as though a whole new world opened up – everywhere I looked was steeped in history and the accumulated knowledge and innovation of hundreds of great minds," he said. "I used to spend my lunch breaks just soaking that up by strolling through the University museums and exhibitions – it gave me a sense of the international scientific community and made me feel a part of something significant."
Prof Evans says the key challenges of the PVC role will lie in leading the continued growth of research that can be translated into health benefits; in improving the link between this research and the programs taught; and developing programs to ensure UniSA graduates can play ever important roles in improving health and medical care. He also sees wonderful opportunities for the Division to support the new SA Health and Medical Research Institute.
"I am keen to encourage and support the growth of strong discipline-based research including growing the numbers of students who come to UniSA to complete higher degrees by research," he said.
"There’s a huge demand worldwide for professionals who can contribute effectively to health care teams rather than focusing simply on their own discipline-based treatments, so inter-professional training is an important area for development at an undergraduate level.
"As a graduate, an academic and now a senior manager at UniSA, I think we are better placed than many to educate students who are prepared to work in multidisciplinary teams because we have a very strong understanding of what industry needs and we have led the way in defining for our students what qualities they’ll need when they graduate."
Professor Evans is an enthusiastic supporter of new ideas.
"We have about 400 staff in the Division of Health Sciences – 400 minds that together represent an enormous resource for innovation," he says.
"If nothing else, my role is to support and amplify the talent in others, and there can be nothing more satisfying than that."