By Margaret Maccoll
Keeping on trend, adjusting to changing ways of communication and tightening budgets are just some of the challenges the new Deputy Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast Scott Williams will have to face.
In his new role, the Noosa resident’s duties include chairing the university’s Planning and Resources Committee involved in the budget and strategic direction for the fast growing institution.
Mr Williams said education had been forecast to be one of the most likely fields to experience disruption due to emerging technology.
“Learning has evolved from face to face learning to blended learning and will continue to evolve into other forms of learning,” he said.
“The iphone came out only 10 years ago. Now everything has become an app. Education has to keep up with that trend in the community. Young people have changed the way they communicate.” As technology changes in workplaces, universities will need to educate people for multiple careers.
“In the future a job for life will become less and less common,” he said.
“Our challenge is to be future proof.”
As the university is expanding, it is embarking on building an entirely new campus in the Moreton Shire, something Mr Williams is only too aware has to be a “structure of the future”.
A challenge is something that appeals to Mr Williams who will draw on his immense experience in his new role.
He spent 15 years on the University of New England Council and was its deputy chancellor. He became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2012 for services to local government, business, community radio and higher education and philanthropy.
His business Petals Network was listed four times in the top 100 fastest-growing Australian businesses and he owned several independent newspapers.
He was Foundation Chair of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation and is Independent Chair of the Audit Committee at Noosa Council.
