Deakin appoints new Associate Dean as progress continues at Warrnambool

Professor Barry Cooper will take on the new role of Associate Dean Community Engagement and Regional Campuses and teach Accounting units on campus at Warrnambool from 2017, as part of Deakin’s commitment to deliver the same level of face-to-face teaching within the degree as this year.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said she was delighted to appoint Professor Cooper to the role, which would involve leadership of the Faculty at Warrnambool and Geelong, building networks with local accounting and legal firms, while ensuring the best student experience possible.

In his new role, Professor Cooper will be a visible presence at the Warrnambool Campus.

“Given the University’s commitment to delivering Accounting at Warrnambool, it is essential that we put one of our key leaders in this important teaching and community engagement role,” Professor den Hollander said.

“In his long and distinguished career, Professor Cooper has made exceptional contributions in teaching, research and service to academia and the accounting profession and we know he will bring tremendous energy and enthusiasm to this new position.”

The Faculty of Business and Law will continue to deliver Commerce, Law and Commerce/Law at Warrnambool in 2017.

Deakin has appointed Professor Cooper to the role as part of its commitment to remain in Warrnambool, as announced last month, under a proposed ongoing, long-term and more sustainable education model.

The sustainable model includes a reduced course offering. Staff voluntary separations were offered as part of the change process.

Professor den Hollander said the University has accepted 26 voluntary separation package requests, after assessing the future needs of the Campus. Staff were updated at the Campus today on the next step of the change process.

The proposed key changes to the current Campus model are designed to ensure the Warrnambool student experience is consistent with Deakin’s LIVE the future strategy and equivalent in quality to student learning outcomes at other Deakin campuses and enable Deakin to continue to fulfill its public purpose and address financial losses.

As announced in October, Deakin will continue to explore opportunities to grow and sustain the Campus into the future, including the consideration of a new Bachelor of Agribusiness unique to the Warrnambool Campus.

Courses that will continue to be offered include Nursing, Midwifery, Health Sciences, Psychological Sciences, Education (Primary), Commerce, Environmental Science (Marine Biology), Law and Commerce/Law at the Warrnambool Campus. Deakin will also continue to offer the Associate Degree of Education and several PhD courses.

Professor den Hollander reiterated that all students currently enrolled at the Warrnambool Campus will be able to complete their studies at the Campus.