UniSA Vice Chancellor appointed to CSIRO Board

by Michèle Nardelli

Professor Peter Høj, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia will take up a position on the Board of the CSIRO commencing in 2012.

Announcing the appointment Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr said Prof Høj’s strong appreciation and understanding of the important relationships between Government, research science and the higher education sector would be an asset to the CSIRO Board.

“I congratulate Professor Høj on his appointment and look forward to his contribution to the Board, in support of the important work done by CSIRO,” Senator Carr said.

“His insight into Australia’s broader research and innovation environment and practical knowledge of scientific research within a collaborative framework will be invaluable additions to the suite of skills available to the CSIRO Board.”

Welcoming the news, UniSA Chancellor and Chair of the CSIRO Minerals Sector Advisory Council, Dr Ian Gould said he believed Professor Høj would make a significant contribution to Australian science through his work on the Board.

“On behalf of the University of South Australia community I want to congratulate Peter on this important appointment,” Chancellor Gould said.

“It reflects his own outstanding research career and contribution to research policy in this country and recognises his exceptional leadership of the University and UniSA’s own emerging research success and achievement. I know he will be a strong advocate for the nation’s innovation agenda.”

Professor Høj said he was pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the CSIRO Board.

“The CSIRO is an international research powerhouse and I hope I can contribute in a tangible way to Australia benefitting even further from the organisation’s capacity to address complex problems through excellent collaborative research,” Prof Høj said.