ITECA Board Strengthened with Higher Education Expertise
Two leaders of the nation’s independent higher education sector have joined the Board of the sector’s peak body, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA). ITECA’s members are independent providers in the higher education, vocational education, training and skills sectors.
Professor Alan Bowen-James is the Executive Dean with Le Cordon Bleu Australia. His credentials include two Doctorates and eight Masters Degrees and experience with institutions including the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Australian Catholic University, and the Australian College of Applied Psychology. He joins ITECA Board as the Deputy Chair – Higher Education and as a Director.
Prof. Bowen-James’ particular focus is on providing strategic guidance to ITECA’s activities to support the nation’s dual sector providers. These are tertiary education providers with students studying both higher education and vocational training programs.
“Dual sector providers face some unique challenges as they deal with two regulators, two student loan programs, and more than a dozen different student funding models. I look forward to working with ITECA as it uses its considerable advocacy capacity to create a more cohesive and integrated tertiary education system – one that supports both students and their educational providers,” Prof. Brown-James said.
Also joining the ITECA Board as a Director is Professor Kathryn von Treuer, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cairnmillar Institute, an independent higher education provider respected for its clinical excellence in research and teaching of psychology and psychotherapy. Career highlights for Prof. von Treuer include roles with Deakin University and professional postings with Victoria Police.
Sharing an interest in support the nation’s dual sector providers, Prof. von Treuer’s appointment reflects the fact that the ITECA Board operates in a best-practice governance environment, appointing skills-bsed Directors. With a Doctorate in Business Administration accompanying post-graduate qualifications in psychology, Prof. von Treuer is looking forward to supporting the ITECA Board and executive team in corporate governance, strategic planning, and human resource management.
“It’s great to be joining colleagues from across the tertiary education sector to provide ITECA with the leadership to maintain its position as a strong and effective advocate for independent providers across the higher education, vocational education, training and skills sectors,” Professor von Treuer said.
The independent Chair of the ITECA Board, Adjunct Professor Wilhelm Harnisch, spoke highly of the willingness of Professor Bowen-James and von Treuer to contribute to ITECA’s ongoing success.
“ITECA’s position as a respected voice that provides leadership for the independent tertiary education sector is made possible thanks to the contribution of our members. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Professor Bowen-James and Professor von Treuer contribute to ITECA’s strategic direction,” Mr Harnisch said.
Independent higher education providers support around 10% of the 1.6 million students in courses that counter towards an Australian higher education award plus around 85% of the 3.9 million students in vocational education and training programs.
Taken from ITECA Media Release.
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