BOND TO WELCOME NEW CHANCELLOR

AFTER searching far and wide, Bond University will soon usher in a new chancellor. 

The Honourable Dr Annabelle Bennett AO SC has been nominated as the University's eighth chancellor, succeeding Dr Helen Nugent AO.

The chancellor role is undertaken without recompense.

Bennett retired as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia in March 2016 after a distinguished career in law and practising as a barrister. She became a senior counsel in New South Wales in 1994.

She is recognised globally for her expertise in intellectual property law.

In addition to her Federal Court appointment, Bennett's appointments have included being the president of the Copyright Tribunal of Australia, arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, presidential member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and additional judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT.

Bennett's experience is balanced academically too, having served as pro chancellor at the Australian National University for over a decade. She also served as chairperson of the National Health and Medical Research Council, adding to her foundations of an honours degree in Science and a PhD in Cell Biology.

Bond's vice chancellor and president, professor Tim Brailsford, says Bennett's diverse knowledge is a drawcard.

"Annabelle will bring an extraordinary depth of understanding of both higher education and several disciplines that are very important to Bond," says Brailsford.

"Her interests in such diverse fields such as health sciences and law will bring a new perspective on multidisciplinary studies."

Bennett will be officially elected immediately following Bond University's AGM on April 19.

A series of events throughout April will recognise Nugent's contribution to the University, who served the maximum term for a chancellor of four years.