THE new head of Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus says evolving communication technology would allow it to reach into areas well beyond the region.
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Professor Gerry Quinn said a continuing focus will be to provide a place where south-west residents could study locally.
However, the connection of high-quality broadband services to Warrnambool also gave the campus opportunities to teach students at a range of locations — including those at Deakin’s Geelong and Burwood campuses.
There would also be opportunities to bring more students to the Warrnambool campus for the whole or parts of their courses, he said.
Professor Quinn, from the faculty of science, engineering and built environment, at Warrnambool, next week replaces Professor Greg Wood as head of the campus.
Professor Wood is stepping down from the role after two years to return to the faculty of business and law.
Professor Quinn said he aimed to capitalise on Warrnambool’s reputation as a small integrated campus that provided excellent pastoral care for its students.
He also hoped to build upon its outstanding record for research, particularly into issues relevant to its local government and industry partners.
“I hope to see that expand and focus on cross-disciplinary research,” Professor Quinn said.
He came to the campus as its new professor of marine biology in 2005 and has been the associate head of Deakin’s school of life and environmental sciences for the past four years.
His predecessor said he was pleased to have contributed to the life and success of Deakin Warrnambool but it was time to take some leave and return to his faculty, students and research.
“It has been an honour to be able to build upon the work of previous campus leaders to ensure Deakin’s continued commitment to the Great South Coast region,” Professor Wood said.
Deakin vice-chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander thanked Professor Wood for his contribution.
“Greg has always been a dedicated advocate for Deakin in the Warrnambool community and we look forward to having him teaching the next generation of business and commerce students,” she said.
Professor Quinn will be assisted by Alistair McCosh from the Deakin at your Doorstep program, who will act in the role of director of education to ensure Deakin capitalises on the high-speed fibre-optic cabling installed along the Geelong to Warrnambool railway line to deliver digital learning platforms. The new cable will allow Deakin to rethink how it delivers curriculum at the Warrnambool campus.
