Vale Fred Jevons AO

Deakin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane den Hollander paid tribute today to the late Emeritus Professor Fred Jevons AO, the founding Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, who died last weekend.

Professor Jevons took up the position of Vice-Chancellor of the fledgling Deakin University in 1976 and led the university for 10 years.

A prominent biochemist, he developed a reputation for his innovative approach to education and he is widely regarded as the "father" of Deakin's distance education program.

"Professor Jevons' legacy is a large one but, perhaps more than anything, he will be remembered for his introduction of the concept of distance education – a concept for which Deakin has been regarded a leader for many years," Professor den Hollander said.

In his final address to Deakin Council in 1985 Professor Jevons said : " The task as I see it, is eternal vigilance to maintain the integrity of the knowledge that the university creates and transmits, coupled with an eternal question to find better ways to transmit it."

"More than a quarter of a century later we are still living by this broad philosophy as evidenced by our new strategic plan which outlines a program for "cloud" delivery in the digital age and even greater flexibility in the way we create and transmit knowledge," Professor den Hollander said.

Professor Jevons was respected throughout the University and wider community and will be remembered for his passion for learning, his gentle and generous nature and genuine support of others.