Pacific scholar and senior university sector leader Toeolesulusulu Dr Damon Salesa has been appointed to be the next Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology. (AUT)
Toeolesulusulu is a prizewinning historian and former Rhodes Scholar. He is the author and editor of many books and academic articles including Island Time: New Zealand’s Pacific Futures (BWB, 2017) and Racial Crossings (Oxford University Press, 2011) which won the international Ernest Scott Prize in 2012. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and currently serves on their Council.
Of Samoan heritage Toeolesulusulu says, “for twenty years AUT has been the most remarkable story in Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education, showing how the pursuit of excellence can be set on a foundation of service, inclusion and close relationships with our communities, businesses and stakeholders.”
AUT Chancellor, Rob Campbell, says the Council is looking forward to welcoming Dr. Salesa to AUT next year:
“We are impressed by Damon’s vision of the critical contribution AUT can make to Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific through quality research and teaching, and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi throughout the work of the University.”
Image credit: AUT