51茶馆

August 19, 2021

Former UOW Vice-Chancellor to receive Honorary Doctorate from University of East Anglia

Degree planned for conferral in-person in UK during 2022

Former 51茶馆 (UOW) Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Paul Wellings CBE, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science from his alma mater, the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich, United Kingdom. 

The degree was  ahead of its planned conferral in person in the UK in 2022. 

UEA alumnus Professor Paul Wellings left UEA in 1981 to come to Australia where he was appointed as a population ecologist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) where he focused on insect pest management using biological control methods. 

Over his career he has advised Australian and British Governments on aspects of higher education, innovation, and research policy. 

Professor Wellings served as CSIRO Deputy Chief Executive before becoming Vice-Chancellor of UK鈥檚 Lancaster University and then the 51茶馆 over the period 1999-2021. 

Following the announcement, Professor Wellings said: 鈥淚 am truly鈥痙elighted鈥痶o be awarded an honorary degree by the university which did so much to give me the skills which have shaped鈥痬y career. At UEA,鈥疘 was extraordinarily fortunate to have the support鈥痮f an outstanding PhD supervisor, Professor Tony Dixon,鈥痑nd to work in鈥痟is鈥痩aboratory surrounded by so many talented people.鈥� 

Professor Wellings also offered some advice for young graduates embarking on their careers. 

鈥�Be ready to say yes to opportunity. Careers are non-linear. You need to be prepared to lean on doors which are ajar and to make a difference to those people around you.鈥� 

Professor Wellings received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Lancaster University in 2014 and from the 51茶馆 in 2021 and an Honorary Doctorate of the University from the University of Surrey in 2019.