- Posted on 3 Dec 2025
- 5 minutes read
As Catherine Livingstone AC concludes her tenure as Chancellor, she reflects on a decade of remarkable growth and transformation for the university.
As Chancellor, Catherine’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping UTS into a dynamic, global university. She has been a passionate advocate for partnerships with industry, government and community, recognising that true innovation emerges when ideas are shared.
“Serving as UTS’s fifth Chancellor has been an immense privilege, one that carries a profound sense of responsibility. I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the power of education to change lives”, Ms Livingstone said.
Catherine has been a champion of Australia’s innovation agenda and of the vital role universities play in driving and supporting national progress and prosperity. A strong advocate for researchers at every stage of their career, she has taken particular pride in supporting early-career researchers as they pursue bold ideas and push disciplinary boundaries.
“The Chancellor’s Research Fellowship scheme has been especially meaningful to me, and its importance cannot be overstated,” Ms Livingstone said.
“Now more than ever, we must spark new ideas that drive innovation and progress. Supporting talented researchers at the beginning of their careers is essential to Australia’s future capability, and during my time at UTS I have been privileged to witness the impact of their work and the dedication they bring to their fields.”
During Catherine’s tenure UTS has also gained increased reputation, ranking and recognition, both for quality of research and student experience and satisfaction. Consistently ranked Australia’s top young university, UTS is recognised among the world’s top 100 institutions and top 50 for research quality – a considerable rise in just a decade.
UTS is a young university, free from the weight of decades that can sometimes slow ambition and growth. The university has made extraordinary progress to cement its position as a leading university, not just in Australia but globally.
“Our strategic direction has evolved over the years, positioning UTS as a university that is distinctively different – ambitious in its outlook, bold in its ideas and committed to leading through change.”
Leading through change has certainly been a hallmark of Catherine’s tenure.
From a global pandemic that required new approaches to teaching and learning, to policy decisions that tested the resilience of both the university and the sector, these challenges have been significant.
Yet even amidst these challenges, there have been many achievements. The university now hosts more than 45 research centres and has become a recognised global leader in areas as diverse as artificial intelligence (AI), health sciences, creative industries and engineering and IT. UTS also hosts the largest First Nations professoriate in the country and to uphold an enduring commitment to working with and for First Nations communities.
UTS Vice-Chancellor Andrew Parfitt acknowledged Catherine’s pivotal role in guiding the university.
“The university has benefitted greatly from Catherine’s leadership through some tumultuous times and has seen a steady rise in reputation, standing and ranking during her tenure,” Professor Parfitt said.
“Her expertise in governance is widely recognised and respected, and she has overseen and ensured robust governance at UTS that has advanced the university’s strategic objectives while working in partnership with the executive.
“Catherine was a steady hand during the disruptions of the COVID pandemic and worked closely with the leadership team to ensure that not only did the university pivot to continue its operations, but it was also able to our priorities and strategies.
“She has been instrumental in shaping the vision and direction of the university through both the UTS 2027 and UTS 2030 strategies, establishing UTS as a leading university of technology recognised for its global impact.
Catherine has been a driving force in embedding creativity and innovation at the heart of our strategic direction. Her vision has ensured these strengths will continue to shape the university’s identity and impact for years to come.
Professor Parfitt also noted Catherine’s dedication to students and campus life.
“Catherine has consistently prioritised the student experience, supporting initiatives that enhance learning and research opportunities, including U@Uni that help prepare prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds for success. She has championed the revitalisation of our campus, creating spaces that foster collaboration, innovation and community engagement across the university.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of Catherine’s tenure has been spending time on campus with staff, students and alumni. Whether presenting graduates with their long-awaited degrees, recognising outstanding contributions at the Alumni Awards and the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Research Excellence or witnessing the diversity and talent of early career researchers at the annual Chancellor’s Research Fellows Colloquium, these moments have been a highlight of her service.
“As I have often said, it is not universities or businesses that innovate – it is people,” Ms Livingstone said.
“It has been both an honour and a privilege to work alongside such an immensely talented community of colleagues, as well as our inspiring students, alumni and partners. Each one of you has played a vital role in UTS’s growth as a leading university,” she said.
Catherine’s leadership has left a lasting mark on UTS, and the university is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of higher education.