Business School sets ambitious international agenda

Internationally respected educator and the Business School’s Deputy Dean, Professor John Shields, has been appointed to the new position, which will focus on partnerships with academic institutions, alumni relations and student recruitment.

Commenting on his role, Professor Shields said Sydney was a global school with an international reputation to maintain, a need to establish international research partnerships, a commitment to develop alumni networks and a desire to attract international students.

"This position will allow me to draw on my experience in higher education in a way that brings our international interests into sharp focus," Professor Shields said. "I will have a line of sight on our global activities without distraction."

Turning to partnerships, Professor Shields said that all business school have their areas of strength and that joining forces "to exploit those individual strengths can produce an outcome that is greater than the sum of its parts."

Announcing the appointment, the Dean of the Business School, Professor Greg Whitwell, said Professor Shields was a "longstanding and widely respected member of staff."

"In his new role, John will provide academic leadership when it comes to implementing the School’s strategic priorities of achieving and maintaining a globally diverse student learning community," Professor Whitwell said. "He will also develop a suite of global partnerships and transform international alumni relationships to accentuate life-long learning."

Professor Shields' appointment to the new role of Academic Director, International, comes shortly after the launch of the School's new international scholarship program designed to "enhance the cultural diversity of its undergraduate and postgraduate cohort."

Over the past five years, international enrolments have driven rapid growth in the School’s population, which now stands at around 14,000 students.

"Our new scholarships, my new role and our new academic ambassador program are all part of an effort to build on our reputation," Professor Shields said.

In its first year of operation, the School's "Academic Ambassador" program will see up to 12 academics seeking to build research and education relationships with counterparts abroad and working as brand ambassadors for student recruitment in target markets.

Professor Shields, who is a professor of Human Resources Management and Organisational Studies, is a University of Sydney alumnus having completed his PhD in Economic History in the then Faculty of Economics in 1990. He joined the Business School's discipline of Work and Organisational Studies in 2000.

Professor Shields has represented the Business School internationally on many occasions and was a long standing member of the Executive Board of the CEMS Global Alliance of more than 30 leading business school.