Richard Larkins
Encyclopedia
Professor Richard Graeme Larkins AO
was the Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University
from 2003 until June 2009. Prior to this, he had a distinguished career in medicine, scientific research and academic management.
Before joining Monash, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne
from 1998–2003, and James Stewart Chair of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital
from 1984-1997. His medical research and clinical work was in diabetes and endocrinology
. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to medicine, Professor Larkins received the Eric Susman prize for medical research in 1982, and the Sir William Upjohn Medal and a Centenary of Federation Medal
in 2002. In 2002, he was also made an Officer of the Order of Australia
(AO).
During his career, he has also served as a member of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council from 1977–2000, chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council
of Australia from 1997–2000, and President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
from 2000-2002. In 2007, he was appointed as Chair of Universities Australia, a position he held until May 2009.
In addition to numerous other academic and commercial responsibilities, Professor Larkins also holds the post of Chairman of Council at prestigious private school, Melbourne Grammar School
.
's Government, he was largely critical of its over-regulation of the university sector, and its failure to index university funding to inflation. In a speech to the Melbourne Press Club in February 2008, Larkins lamented the 30% drop in public university funding from 1996–2004, stressing the central role that universities must play if Australia's economy is to remain competitive in the future. As the head of Universities Australia, he has emphasised the need for greater public investment in university teaching and research. Additionally, Larkins has argued that a national internships program should be established to create closer links between universities and industry. More controversially, Larkins has expressed his personal view that the student contribution to HECS payments should be deregulated, noting that all evidence suggests that HECS repayment amounts do not act as a disincentive for students to study, and that only this will enable Australia's top universities to continue to compete globally.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
was the Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
from 2003 until June 2009. Prior to this, he had a distinguished career in medicine, scientific research and academic management.
Before joining Monash, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
from 1998–2003, and James Stewart Chair of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital
Royal Melbourne Hospital
The Royal Melbourne Hospital , located in Parkville, Victoria an inner suburb of Melbourne is one of Australia’s leading public hospitals. It is a major teaching hospital for tertiary health care with a reputation in clinical research...
from 1984-1997. His medical research and clinical work was in diabetes and endocrinology
Endocrinology
Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions called hormones, the integration of developmental events such as proliferation, growth, and differentiation and the coordination of...
. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to medicine, Professor Larkins received the Eric Susman prize for medical research in 1982, and the Sir William Upjohn Medal and a Centenary of Federation Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
in 2002. In 2002, he was also made an Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AO).
During his career, he has also served as a member of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council from 1977–2000, chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Medical Research Council
The National Health and Medical Research Council is Australia's peak funding body for medical research, with a budget of roughly 700 million dollars a year...
of Australia from 1997–2000, and President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Royal Australasian College of Physicians
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, or RACP, is the organisation responsible for training, educating, and representing over 9,000 physicians and paediatricians in Australia and New Zealand. It was founded in 1938....
from 2000-2002. In 2007, he was appointed as Chair of Universities Australia, a position he held until May 2009.
In addition to numerous other academic and commercial responsibilities, Professor Larkins also holds the post of Chairman of Council at prestigious private school, Melbourne Grammar School
Melbourne Grammar School
Melbourne Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, located in South Yarra and Caulfield, suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
.
Views on higher education
While Larkins supported certain measures introduced by John HowardJohn Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
's Government, he was largely critical of its over-regulation of the university sector, and its failure to index university funding to inflation. In a speech to the Melbourne Press Club in February 2008, Larkins lamented the 30% drop in public university funding from 1996–2004, stressing the central role that universities must play if Australia's economy is to remain competitive in the future. As the head of Universities Australia, he has emphasised the need for greater public investment in university teaching and research. Additionally, Larkins has argued that a national internships program should be established to create closer links between universities and industry. More controversially, Larkins has expressed his personal view that the student contribution to HECS payments should be deregulated, noting that all evidence suggests that HECS repayment amounts do not act as a disincentive for students to study, and that only this will enable Australia's top universities to continue to compete globally.