Retirement of TEQSA’s Dr Carol Nicoll and Mr Ian Hawke

Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP today acknowledged the contribution of Dr Carol Nicoll PSM and Mr Ian Hawke, both of whom are retiring from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). Mr Pyne said Dr Nicoll had made an enormous contribution to shaping Australia’s higher education sector. “Dr Nicoll was the founding Chief Commissioner and CEO of TEQSA and provided strong leadership to the Agency in its early years of operation. She brought a wealth of experience to the role, including as a senior government executive, university academic and secondary school teacher,” Mr Pyne said. Over her career Dr Nicoll’s contribution includes heading the team responsible for the development of the higher education reform package, Our Universities: Backing Australia’s Future in 2005, serving as Australia’s Minister-Counsellor for Education, Science and Training in Brussels from 2005 to 2007, and leading as the CEO of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council in 2010. Dr Nicoll also held other senior roles in the Australian Public Service in Schools and Vocational Education and was awarded a Public Service Medal on Australia Day in 2004 for outstanding public service. Mr Pyne also acknowledged the strong contribution Mr Hawke made throughout his career. “Ian Hawke served initially as Interim CEO of TEQSA and as one of the original part‑time Commissioners of the Agency. He made an important contribution in these and many other roles,” Mr Pyne said. Prior to joining TEQSA Mr Hawke was an Assistant Director-General with the Queensland Department of Education and Training and was a director on the boards of the Australian Universities Quality Agency and the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre. “Dr Nicoll and Mr Hawke have had long and distinguished careers in Australia’s education sector and I wish them well in their future endeavours,” Mr Pyne said. Dr Nicoll and Mr Hawke are currently on leave from TEQSA and will remain so until their retirements take effect at the end of this year. Professor Nicholas Saunders AO will continue to act as TEQSA’s Chief Commissioner and CEO pending permanent filling of the positions of Chief Commissioner and CEO.