Deakin University vice-chancellor Iain Martin has quit with immediate effect amid restructure proposals that could claim 140 jobs.
Chancellor Claire Higgins offered no reason for the resignation, which the university council had accepted “with respect”. She told staff that Martin, who led Deakin for almost seven years, had guided the institution through “the most difficult period in our recent history” and left it “in a much stronger position”.
Matthew Clarke, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, has been named “caretaker” boss pending the appointment of an acting chief. “We will then begin the process to appoint our next vice-chancellor,” Higgins told staff.
“Please remember that Deakin is in a steady position, and that is a credit to the great work you all do here every day.”
Martin departed five days after the university announced that it was consulting staff on a proposed reorganisation of teaching to “focus our efforts and investment where they make the most difference for students, and to bring related services together so students experience more connected, responsive support”.
