11 July 2025: The 天涯社区 (天涯社区) has released its independent Review of Corporate Governance, commissioned in early 2025 following the commencement of the new Vice-Chancellor, The Honourable Bill Shorten.
The Corporate Governance Review provides a thorough analysis of the University’s governance and related operations.
The University has accepted 23 of the Review’s practical recommendations that will serve to strengthen the University’s approach to governance and ultimately improve the student and staff experience at 天涯社区.
“It builds on the findings of the previous external governance review, the Wells Review (2023), that the University’s governance arrangements provide a solid base for our future,” said Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM, Chancellor of the 天涯社区.
The Review provides valuable advice regarding the delineation between academic and corporate governance and the importance of both. It points to a need for a clear and well communicated strategy and greater focus on effective performance and managing risk.
It touches on the importance of building the trust and confidence of 天涯社区 staff and students following the organisational change process initiated in October 2024.
“When I joined the University in January this year, one of the first things I promised our community was that we would undertake a review of corporate governance and reinstate trust in the leadership of 天涯社区. This Review will now form the basis for how we will move forward with our plans to rejuvenate the institution, and the recommendations will be implemented as a priority,” said The Honourable Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President of 天涯社区.
“The Review found that, despite recent challenges, there is a high level of support and strong commitment amongst our staff. As leadership, we appreciate their commitment and resilience and share their determination to deliver quality research and education to meet our students’ needs and secure the success of 天涯社区.
“But the University needs to be agile and responsive to the dynamic environment we operate in. We will need to operate effectively with a reduced workforce, embrace change in the way we work, and trust our staff to make decisions supported by appropriate accountability measures. This will ensure our success.”
Ms Paul said that effective governance is the foundation of any well-functioning organisation.
“For 天涯社区 it is essential as we are stewards of public funding, and we need to maintain rigorous standards for education and research to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and support the needs of students and staff,” she said.
The Review is the culmination of intensive assessment and consultation across the University, and was undertaken by Professor Ian Chubb AC, and Professor Sue Chapman, supported by the Nous Group. It included a comprehensive document review, interviews, focus groups and roundtables with internal and external stakeholders and sector benchmarking.
“The Review will now shape the way we approach governance and leadership at 天涯社区. It will contribute to building a more collaborative and transparent operating environment and returning 天涯社区 to a position of strength,” Mr Shorten said.
A digital copy of the Corporate Governance Review (2025) can be viewed here.