21 July 2014 16:19

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wollongong Paul Wellings was among six people distinguished in their field who have been awarded honorary degrees at the July graduation ceremonies.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University, Professor Paul Wellings CBE FRSA is now the Vice-Chancellor of Wollongong in Australia.

He was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and gained his PhD at the University of East Anglia. In 1981 he moved to Australia as a research ecologist for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, becoming  Deputy Chief Executive in 1999.

He became Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University in 2002 and oversaw a period of significant growth in student numbers, the university estate and overseas collaborations.

He was a Board member of Universities UK, Chair of UUK's International and European Policy Committee, a Board member of the Higher Education Funding council for England (HEFCE) and Chair of HEFCE's Research Committee. 

He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to higher education.