The University of Adelaide Alumni Magazinewww.adelaide.edu.au/lumenChatting withthe Vice-ChancellorLumen caught up with Vice-Chancellor and President,Professor Warren Bebbington, for a quick chat about hisuniversity days, music and steering the University of Adelaide.What do you remember from yourown days as a student, particularlyextracurricular activities?I became a university student in 1970 atthe height of the Vietnam War and theprotest movement in universities. I wasinterested in student politics and waselected to the Student RepresentativeCouncil quite early on, so this was mymain extracurricular activity.The Lumen masthead is derivedfrom the University of Adelaidemotto “Sub Cruce Lumen” –the light (of learning) underthe (Southern) Cross.Studying at the University ofAdelaide means being part ofa rich tradition of excellence ineducation and research, withworld-class academics and avibrant student life.Seek Light.The light of new knowledge.But they were very different times; mysister was arrested for breaking into thecouncil chamber. There was warfarebetween what was perceived as them andus – the administration and students. Theadministration was seen, rightly or wrongly,as defenders of causes like Vietnam andthe students didn9t approve.You won the University of Melbourne Awardfor Excellence in Teaching (Humanities) in2005. Do you miss teaching?Through the Elder Conservatorium of Music,I still manage to do some teaching but Iwould like to do more. Teaching studentsis the most rewarding thing I do in a week,because the students appreciate it and areso responsive and it9s great to be out ofmeetings and back in front of a group ofeager learners.Tell me more about your background in music.My mother played the piano at home andshe and my grandfather sang so there wasalways classical music in the house. Fromthe age of six I was in the church choir andit so happened the choir was conducted bya young chemist called Robin Batterham,who later went on to become Chief Scientistof Australia. He was an extraordinarily goodrole model for me in terms of combiningacademic and scientiûc pursuits with music.What do you see as the main challengesfacing the University of Adelaide?The main challenge is to preserve a highquality traditional university experience ata time when university funding is underattack. Government funding is at an all-timelow and ûgures show that Australia is atrock-bottom amongst OECD nations in itspublic contribution to education.The funding of universities in this country isin dire straits. There is an easy way out ofthis – you can have vast classes and savemoney on staff. But we are committed toa vision of small-group teaching. We9recommitted to preserving a university, whichrequires funds. There needs to be a changeof sentiment in the public at large.What are your greatest achievements sofar as Vice-Chancellor?The Adelaide Health and Medical Sciencesbuilding. When I started, the governmenthad decided to move the hospital away fromthe University. We didn9t have a site thereand there was really no solution proposed.Acquiring a site next to the hospital,securing the $60 million grant from theCommonwealth – which is the largest everto a University in the State – and gettingthat building completed on budget andon time is a joy for me.
It seems that your browser's pop-up blocker has prevented us from opening a new window/tab. Please click the button below to open the link manually.
