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Professor Zlatko Skrbis reappointed as Vice-Chancellor

Professor Zlatko Skrbis has been appointed for a second five-year term as Vice-Chancellor and President of Australian Catholic University.

The ACU Senate reappointed Professor Skrbis for another five-year term from January 2026 to December 2030.

In a joint statement to ACU Corporation Members, President of ACU Corporation Archbishop Mark Coleridge and ACU Chancellor the Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC said Professor Skrbis had led the university through challenging times for the higher education sector.

“The higher education sector in this country has faced numerous challenges over the last few years and will undergo significant change in the near and medium future.”

“Professor Skrbis’ continued leadership will ensure stability and enable ACU to accomplish its mission as a Catholic university and realise its ambitious long-term strategic plan, Vision 2033.”

During his first term as Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Skrbis led a significant transformative agenda, focussing on bringing new, purpose-driven value to the university and laying the foundations for strengthening ACU’s Catholic Mission.

This included the launch of Vision 2033, which draws on the university’s mission as a Catholic university, placing human flourishing at its heart. It commits all educational, research and engagement endeavours to support flourishing communities and the pursuit of an ethical future.

Professor Skrbis has also driven a model of financial resilience, overseen the highest domestic and international student loads in ACU’s history and the establishment of ACU Online campus, enabling learning opportunities to an increasingly diverse population of students.

Under Professor Skrbis’ leadership, the university has established a Graduate Research School and refined its research focus to align with Vision 2033, while strengthening research collaboration between faculties and institutes.

Professor Skrbis has served as President of the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU). His focus on global collaboration and Catholic dialogue saw the university achieve the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, which recognises ACU as a higher education leader dedicated to community engagement.

Professor Skrbis has also taken on sector leadership positions, including Vice-Presidency of Australian Higher Education Industrial Association (AHEIA) and Board membership of Universities Australia (UA).

Professor Skrbis said he was honoured to be reappointed as Vice-Chancellor.

“I thank the members of the Senate for their support,” he said.

“I also thank the University’s leadership and all our staff and students who make ACU such a rich, diverse and vibrant community.

“It is an honour to serve as Vice-Chancellor and President of ACU.

“My vision for the next five years is for ACU to continue to be a university where academic excellence, human-centred research and a commitment to our Catholic Mission come together to transform lives and society.”