The prestigious University of Canberra has appointed Indian scholar and plant physiologist H Deep Saini as its next Vice Chancellor. He will succeed Vice Chancellor Stephen Parker in September.

At present, Saini (60) is serving as the Vice-President of the University of Toronto and Principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga campus in Canada.

Tom Calma AO, the Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, said that, University's governing body was delighted that, the globally experienced university leader and academic has agreed to take the post of University of Canberra's fifth Vice Chancellor.

Calma said that, "Saini's outstanding academic pedigree and vast international experience will be key to delivering on our vision to be recognized as one of Australia's most innovative tertiary institutions; world-ranked, with regional, national and international reach."

Saini said that, "I look forward to the next phase of the University of Canberra's transformation as a global leader in mission- oriented education and problem-solving research with a solid intellectual core."

"Much of what I am today was shaped during my doctoral studies in Australia. My wife and I started our shared journey here. It is a privilege to now return to serve the country where it all began and to which I owe the crucial formative steps of an exceptionally rewarding career," he added.

Saini completed his doctorate in plant physiology from the University of Adelaide and undergraduate and master's degrees at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India.

Nandini