After five years as Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, Professor Eeva Leinonen has tendered her resignation after being appointed as the new President of National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

Murdoch University’s Chancellor Gary Smith said it was with regret that Senate at its meeting on the evening of 8 March had been informed of Professor Leinonen’s resignation to embark on a new higher education leadership opportunity and to be closer to her family.

“Professor Leinonen has delivered outstanding leadership to our University guided by a bold strategic plan which has seen the University pursue new teaching and research initiatives, invest in new facilities and infrastructure projects, while strengthening its financial position,” said Mr Smith.

“I have enjoyed working with Professor Leinonen and admire her talents as a university leader and academic. Maynooth University is gaining an outstanding leader and I wish her the very best for the future.”

Professor Leinonen said it has been an honour and privilege to lead Murdoch University through a period of growth and transformation. This has included steering the University through the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring it is well positioned for future growth.

“The pandemic has impacted on people’s professional and personal lives and provided opportunities for reassessing what is important to us as individuals,” said Professor Leinonen.

“For eight years I was only ‘one flight away’ from my family and had many opportunities to connect through travel. This is no longer the case. It is for this reason that I am returning to work in Europe and I feel honoured and delighted to be joining Maynooth University.”

Murdoch University’s key achievements under the leadership of Professor Leinonen as Vice Chancellor have included:

• Implementing a clear and strong strategic plan to guide the future direction of the University;
• Securing State and Federal government financial support for a number of key initiatives, including a new CBD vertical campus as part of the 2020 City Deal;
• Delivering the Australian National Phenome Centre and attracting world-class researchers to the laboratory, with the result that the ANPC is now playing a leading role in research into the causes and long-term effects of COVID-19; and
• Ensuring the University is in a position of financial strength to invest for the future.

“I would like to thank Senate, staff and students across the University and the broader community for their support in the delivery of the University’s strategy and goals. We have made significant progress together. Murdoch continues to have strong foundations to build on for further success” said Professor Leinonen.

Professor Leinonen will remain as Vice Chancellor for the next six months before commencing at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth in October 2021. The University will immediately commence a global search for a new Vice Chancellor.