Murdoch University has appointed provost Romy Lawson to serve as interim vice-chancellor while it searches for a replacement for outgoing vice-chancellor Eeva Leinonen.
Murdoch University has informed staff that vice chancellor Eeva Leinonen will step down later this year to become president of Maynooth University in Ireland.
Stronger relationships between WA's small businesses and universities will help students finding employment in a post-COVID-19 economy, according to Murdoch University vice-chancellor Eeva Leinonen.
Murdoch University has informed staff it will begin offering voluntary redundancies as part of efforts to seek $25 million in cost savings ahead in 2021.
The pandemic has cut through university bureaucracies, but sector leaders have stressed border openings are key for Australia to maintain its competitiveness in education.
Murdoch University has signalled it will cut staff ahead of 2021, one day after Curtin University confirmed it was considering widespread redundancies.
WA's university sector is concerned with the lack of federal support for international students, warning that choices made now could cause years of damage to the country's economy and reputation.
Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia have confirmed they are in the early stages of planning new campuses in Perth's CBD, while Murdoch is also partnering with Spacecubed to launch a teaching and events space on St Georges Terrace.
David Flanagan will be replaced by former KPMG partner Gary Smith as chancellor of Murdoch University, following the completion of his second term in the role.
Dawn Freshwater has been named vice-chancellor of the University of Western Australia, filling the role left vacant when Paul Johnson departed the institution last year.
Perth universities have called for the completion of a clear and comprehensive strategy targeting international students before they would contribute more money to joint marketing of the city as a study destination.
SPECIAL REPORT: The people who lead Western Australia's universities agree the sector faces enormous change, with emerging technology and potential new entrants among the biggest challenges.
SPECIAL REPORT: The opening last month of a WA-backed college in China, and the visit this week by a high-powered WA delegation to Indonesia, highlight the state's renewed focus on the multi-billion dollar international education market.
Murdoch University has appointed Eeva Leinonen as its first female vice-chancellor, replacing Richard Higgott who resigned last year after being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
