Adelaide vice-chancellor departs over ¡®ill health¡¯

University of Adelaide vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen has formally resigned, two months after he and former chancellor Kevin Scarce departed in sensational circumstances.

New chancellor Ca바카라사이트rine Branson has told staff and students that 바카라사이트 university council has accepted Professor Rathjen¡¯s resignation over ¡°ill health¡±.

Professor Rathjen took indefinite leave in early May. Subsequently, South Australia¡¯s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) announced that he was investigating ¡°potential issues of serious or systemic misconduct and maladministration¡± at Adelaide, including allegations of improper conduct by Professor Rathjen and 바카라사이트 university¡¯s handling of those allegations.

The commissioner, Bruce Lander, said that he had only gone public about 바카라사이트 investigation because he was worried that continued speculation about 바카라사이트 departure of Professor Rathjen ¨C and of Rear Admiral Scarce, who had quit abruptly five months before his term¡¯s scheduled end ¨C could inflict ¡°unnecessary negative impact on 바카라사이트 university¡¯s operations¡±.

Mr Lander has warned people not to assume that ¡°impropriety¡± has occurred before his investigation is concluded. He has not committed to releasing 바카라사이트 findings of 바카라사이트 probe.

While rumours have swirled over 바카라사이트 reasons for 바카라사이트 investigation, Ms Branson ¨C who was deputy chancellor at 바카라사이트 time ¨C cautioned against speculation. In a message to staff and students in early May, she said it was ¡°natural for us to want to know more about what is happening¡± but stressed that ¡°바카라사이트 law places restraints on what can be said about an ICAC investigation¡±.

Professor Rathjen is a Cambridge-born and Adelaide-educated biochemist and former Rhodes scholar. He was vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Tasmania before taking over at Adelaide.

Ms Branson, who was appointed chancellor this month, said that 바카라사이트 university ¡°extends its appreciation for 바카라사이트 contribution Professor Rathjen has made since taking up 바카라사이트 role in 2018¡±. She said that an announcement about 바카라사이트 search for a new vice-chancellor would follow ¡°in due course¡±.

The Australian newspaper reported last week that 바카라사이트 university would mount a global hunt for a replacement. It said acting vice-chancellor Mike Brooks had indicated that he had ¡°no intention¡± of seeking 바카라사이트 role permanently.

john.ross@ws-2000.com