Professor Sarah Todd has taken up the position of Pro Vice Chancellor (International) at Griffith University, succeeding Chris Madden.
“I am looking forward to the challenge at a time when the international landscape is very much one in flux,” Professor Todd, who will be based at the Gold Coast campus, said.
“Increased student mobility and the emergence of MOOCs are just two of the factors underlining this time of change.”
She joins Griffith after a distinguished career at the University of Otago in New Zealand where she was appointed the university’s inaugural Pro Vice Chancellor (International) in 2006.
“Griffith University has a very good reputation on an international scale, particularly from the perspectives of student recruitment and institutional relationships.”
Partnerships
Professor Todd says building on this strong platform and expanding opportunities for Griffith University students to go abroad is a priority for her.
She will also focus on the development and strengthening of academic relationships across Griffith’s five campuses and overseas.
“I see the role of Griffith International as facilitating different partnerships both across the university and overseas. We can encourage all parts of Griffith University to own Griffith International.”
Professor Todd highlights an international evolution in China where a tradition of student exports is being overhauled by student imports as the country’s tertiary education system develops its own international programs.
International student integration is also a key for Professor Todd who is focused on the student experience at Griffith. “What students get from being here, whether it’s on campus now or as part of the alumni network later, is an area that needs constant attention.”
“I also want to look at ‘internationalisation at home’ and how domestic students can increasingly benefit from the presence of international students on Griffith campuses.”
Professor Todd’s responsibilities at Griffith University will include the Griffith English Language Institute and the International Business Development Unit.
Prior to her Pro Vice Chancellor role at University of Otago, Professor Todd was Academic Dean at Otago’s School of Business, originally commencing as an academic in the Department of Marketing.
Valuable experience
Her research interests lie in the general area of consumer behaviour, specifically lifestyles and values research, children as consumers and sustainable consumption.
Recent external appointments have included chairing the Education New Zealand Stakeholder Advisory Committee, New Zealand Women in Leadership Steering Group and the Advisory Board for the New Zealand Centre at Peking University.
Professor Todd has also been a member of the Confucius Institute Board and the Universities New Zealand Committee for International Policy.
“She brings to Griffith valuable experience in senior academic roles as well as long exposure to the intensely competitive world of international education, which plays such an important part in Griffith’s mission,” Vice Chancellor, Griffith University, Professor Ian O’Connor said.