University of Canberra vice-president Belinda Robinson, a former chief executive of Universities Australia, has left the institution abruptly just months after steering it through the biggest crisis in its 30-year history.

Ms Robinson has departed Canberra eight months before the expiry of her three-year contract and four months after new vice-chancellor Paddy Nixon arrived from Ulster University.

She served as interim vice-chancellor between the departure of former head Deep Saini in December and the start of Professor Nixon¡¯s tenure in June.

¡°Belinda was the vice-chancellor during the most tumultuous period in any university¡¯s history,¡± Professor Nixon and chancellor Tom Calma told staff. ¡°She led the university through bushfires, hailstorms and then the arrival of Covid.

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¡°In those times of crisis, she was a calm and caring leader who always put¡­staff and students first. Her achievements in steering us through that time cannot be underestimated.¡±

Ms Robinson joined Canberra in mid-2018, soon after completing a seven-year stint as chief executive of Universities Australia. Before that, she headed other industry representative bodies and held senior positions in the federal government. ?

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¡°Belinda spearheaded a renewed connection with government and community, leaving behind a highly regarded government relations infrastructure,¡± Professors Calma and Nixon said, hailing Ms Robinson¡¯s efforts as a university advocate who ¡°proudly wore ¡®I Love UC¡¯ badges¡± and ¡°screamed in support¡± at sporting matches. ¡°Just today Belinda was heard saying how much she believed in her town¡¯s university.¡±

Ms Robinson said that she had left to concentrate on her responsibilities as a member of four boards and chair of three of them. She said that she had ¡°loved every minute¡± of her time at Canberra but the position had always been ¡°time-limited¡±.

¡°It was a challenge but a special time leading the university through that period,¡± she said.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com ?