Griffith Business School Pro Vice Chancellor Professor David Grant has been announced as the next President of the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC), commencing in 2019.
Professor Grant, who currently fills the role of ABDC Secretary, will replace outgoing President Professor Tony Travaglione, of the University of Newcastle, who stepped into the position in February 2017.
In a statement, Professor Grant said he will focus on increasing the ABDC’s lobbying and advocacy activities, as well as strengthening ties between its member business schools and industry and government.
“ABDC members educate one-third of our domestic university students and graduate more than half of the international tertiary students in Australia,” Professor Grant said.
“International students in our business schools account for more than $5 billion in education export earnings — a significant portion of Australia’s third-largest export industry.”
Professor Grant’s appointment is not the first time a Griffith Business School head has taken up the top spot at the ABDC; his predecessor as Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Powell, was also elected to the role in 2013.
The ABDC represents 39 business schools around the country, and describes itself as “the collective voice of university pro vice-chancellors, executive deans and heads of Australian business faculties and schools”.
“Our 39 members teach and research areas vital to the success of the businesses that underpin Australia’s economy,” Professor Travaglione said.
“As their peak body, ABDC’s role is to ensure that those with political, social, cultural and economic influence appreciate and support how business education and scholarship contributes to Australia’s future.”