stor y by Ren ée Cap p sQ&A with the ChancellorIn late 2014, Rear Admiral the Honourable KevinScarce AC CSC RAN (Rtd) was appointed as the16th Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.His appointment caps a long anddistinguished career that hasincluded his role as 34th Governorof South Australia from 2007 to 2014. Hesaw active service in the Royal AustralianNavy from 1968 to 2004, including onHMAS Sydney during the Vietnam Warand as the Commanding Officer of HMASCerberus between 1995 and 1997.Lumen reporter Renée Capps interviewedRear Admiral Scarce about his career,his vision for the University and how itcan contribute more to the revitalisationof South Australia.Chancellor, what is the value ofa university education and howdid your education help you inyour career?Education is a critical enabler thatempowers people to view our worldthrough different lenses. The worldtoday is changing so quickly that if wearen’t prepared to embrace change wewon’t be successful as individuals, asa community or as a nation.I completed my first degree in financialadministration because I could see thatI was not prepared for the challengesahead. It gave me a fresh perspective,additional skills and the confidence totry different things. Subsequent degreesadded to this core knowledge and keptme current with the ever-changingnature of my profession.What role does the Universityplay in the South Australianeconomy? What can the Universitydo to improve its contribution?The University of Adelaide is animportant driver in South Australia’seconomy. We employ 3,500 peopledirectly and more than a couple ofthousand indirectly. Over $460m perannum is contributed to the GrossState Product. And our universities4 Lumen | Winter 2015are an important source of innovationand assistance to industry. With theSouth Australian economy facingsignificant financial challenges,particularly with the imminent closureof the car manufacturing industry, it isimportant for our University to focuson helping to unearth new businessopportunities. Along with my UniversityCouncil colleagues, I will encouragecloser engagement with the communityand business. We can do more todeliver skilled and talented graduates,innovative collaborations and researchoutcomes that will stimulate the Stateand excite the community’s interest inthe University of Adelaide.What about the University’s contributionto the broader community and howimportant is the University’s role?There is a perception that we are notas engaged in the community as weshould be. However, if you look at whathas actually been achieved, I think wehave a wide variety of partnerships andoutreach programs. Our CommunityOutreach Dental Program, for example,provides dental services to those whocan’t usually afford them and this hasliterally transformed lives.We also work closely with organisationsin the northern suburbs of Adelaide tobring opportunities to the area and ourChildren’s University program bringsexciting free learning activities to schoolchildren aged 7–14.What attracted you tothe University of Adelaide?The University plays a pivotal role ineducating the next generation of leaders.I want to be part of a highly respectedinstitution with that goal. Education isabsolutely vital for small economiestrying to successfully compete in aglobal market. The University of Adelaideis a world-class research universityand its academic achievements overthe last 140 years and its plans for thefuture continue to excite me. We arecompetitive on the world stage, and wemust continue to deliver excellence.What is your vision forthe University of Adelaide?This is an incredibly important institutionfor the state and country. The University’sstrategic plan Beacon of Enlightenmentclearly indicates for me the vision of ourUniversity. We are in the business ofpreparing tomorrow’s leaders shapedby education rather than by birth orwealth. The quality of our academic andresearch endeavours will shape thefuture of our state and nation, and whileeducation and research is at the core ofwhat we do, I want to see more targetedengagement with the community.You have had a remarkable career.What do you regard as your biggestachievements and career highlights?Without doubt the greatest satisfactionand most important achievement forme is raising a family. I can’t take solecredit because my wife Liz has been avital part of the partnership. Both ourchildren, Kasha and Kingsley, have beeneducated at universities and are workingin fields they enjoy – everything youcould hope for as a parent.In my working life I have had terrificopportunities in the navy, defence andindustry. I tried to make the most ofevery opportunity, particularly in leadingteams to deliver complex outcomes.Do you have any advice forsomeone starting their career?Firstly, I would suggest a plan for what youwant to do. Be bold in your aspirations.I would also suggest making time tovolunteer in the community. There aremany worthy causes and unfortunatelyplenty of people needing that help. Ourgraduates are in a privileged position tohave the skills to help others.
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