Deakin announces new head of global engagement

Deakin University today announced the appointment of Professor Gary Smith as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement).

Professor Smith joins Deakin from the University of Western Sydney where he is responsible for the development and management of global partnerships as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and International).

He is, however, not new to Deakin. Prior to joining UWS, Professor Smith was employed at Deakin in a number of roles including Professor of International Relations and Program Director at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies at the Australian Defence College.

"We are delighted to welcome Gary back to Deakin to lead our global engagement portfolio with responsibility for international and domestic academic partnerships, Deakin International, marketing and recruitment," Vice Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said.

"This is an extremely important role as we seek to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Asian Century, to develop new partnerships and markets both in Australia and beyond and to strategically advance Deakin's internationalisation," she said.

Professor Smith is an active researcher in Australian and international relations and is the author and editor of numerous publications on international relations in the Asia-Pacific, global governance and civil society.

He said that as a passionate advocate for deepening engagement with Asia, he was delighted to be taking up his new role at Deakin for the benefit of the University, its students and the wider international community.

"Deakin has an extraordinary reputation nationally and internationally and I look forward very much to working with its talented staff to further advance that reputation," Professor Smith said.

"As we continue to implement our new strategic plan, Live the Future, with its focus on providing education to students no matter where they are, Professor Smith's experience in international relations will be invaluable," Professor den Hollander said.

Professor Smith will take up his appointment on May 27