QUT Council

QUT Council is our governing body, responsible for the effective governance and operations of the university.

Council members include:

  • professionals and representatives from higher education, government, commerce, industry and alumni
  • elected QUT staff members and students
  • the Chancellor, our chief executive officer, the Vice-Chancellor and President, and the Chair of University Academic Board.

Council's composition, membership, powers and responsibilities are governed by the Queensland University of Technology Act 1998 (PDF file, 370 KB) .

Members

Council members serve a four-year term, except for student Council members who serve a two-year term. There are 15 members on QUT Council in official, elected and appointed positions.

Members of QUT Council

The Chancellor

The Chancellor is the formal head of the university, and works closely with the Vice-Chancellor and President. The position is elected by Council, and the Chancellor is the chair of the governing body and is responsible for the efficient operation of Council.

The term of office for Chancellor is usually 5 years.

Find out more about the role of the Chancellor in the Manual of Policies and Procedures, or via the University Chancellors Council website.

Responsibilities

Council can:

  • establish committees
  • delegate power to committees or officers
  • authorise committees or officers to make decisions relating to prescribed policy and procedural matters.

While Council is ultimately responsible for the management of QUT, it has delegated authority to the Vice-Chancellor and President, and to various senior administrators for day-to-day management of the university.

Key dates, reports and activities

Council meeting dates

2024
29 February
2 May
20 June
29 August
24 October
5 December

Summaries of the activities of Council and its committees are published periodically as reports.

Reports of QUT Council

Graduation Dates

2024
11-15 August 2024 (no ceremonies on Ekka public holiday, Wednesday 14 August)Mid-year graduations

Council committees

QUT Council recognises that the contribution and involvement of QUT committees and members is critical for decision-making and effective corporate governance. Several committees assist Council in its operations. These committees report directly to Council:

  • Risk and Audit Committee, chaired by Adjunct Professor Susan Rix AM
  • Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee, chaired by Ms Ann Sherry AO
  • Finance and Planning Committee, chaired by Mr Paul Lindstrom
  • University Academic Board, chaired by Professor Lisa Bradley.

The Vice-Chancellor and President reports directly to Council and has established various committees to meet compliance obligations and contribute to specific management functions.

QUT committee structure (PDF file)

Awards and honours conferred by Council

Honorary doctorates

A person may be awarded a Doctor of the University by Council for distinguished service to the community, QUT or scholarship. Honorary doctorates are conferred at a graduation ceremony.

Full list of honorary doctorate recipients

Professor Emeritus

The title of Professor Emeritus is conferred in recognition of distinguished academic service by a QUT Professor.

Full list of Emeritus Professors

QUT Life Fellows

QUT Council has awarded the title of Life Fellow to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of QUT over a long period.

Our Life Fellows are:

  • Ian Cameron, AM, BE(Hons) Qld, FIEAust, FICE, FASCE. Chairperson of Council 1983-1987 (deceased)
  • Alexander Fraser, AO, BSc(Eng), BE(Civil), PhD, DIC Lond, MIEAust, FAIM. Foundation Director of QIT 1965-1981 (deceased)
  • Mervyn Hegarty, AM, MSc, PhD, FRACI. Council Member 1971-1975, Deputy Chairperson of Council 1975-1980 (deceased)
  • Jack Parkinson, OBE, BArch Qld, DUniv, LFRAIA, RIBA. Deputy Chairperson of Council 1971-1974, Chairperson of Council 1974-1983 (deceased)
  • Victor Pullar, AO, BEng(Hons) Qld, DUniv, FIEAust. Chairperson of Council 1987-1989, Chancellor 1989-1994 (deceased)
  • Roy Wallace, AM, DipMEE, MIEAust, FAIM. Council Member 1971-1988 (deceased)
  • Brian Waters, OAM, BCom Qld, AAUQ (Prov). Secretary to Council 1975-1995.