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Reflections on the future

1 July 2009

Professor Richard Larkins

This week Monash Memo caught up with outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins to ask him about his time at Monash.

Looking back what are your favourite recollections of your time at Monash?

I have had so many wonderful experiences at Monash that it is hard to single out one. Getting to know so many committed students and staff, learning about the diverse contributions of our different campuses in their different locations and hearing of the appreciation of so many students past and present for their time at Monash and the difference it has made to their lives are amongst my favourite recollections. But I have also enjoyed the interactions with our wonderful researchers and working with our external partners to increase the impact that Monash can have on solving the problems facing the planet.

What will you miss the most?

I will miss the collegiality of working as part of the best senior management team in the country - all committed to their jobs but also enjoying working together in the interests of the University. And I will miss the students - there are so many who are doing fantastic things in addition to their university studies whether in community development and other forms of aid, student advocacy, elite sport, the environment and countless other areas - they are truly inspirational.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Helping to re-establish at Monash a positive feeling about itself with the realisation that it is uniquely placed to be one of the world's great universities because of its international footprint, the location of its Clayton campus in the heart of what will become the leading innovation precinct in the Southern Hemisphere and the quality and innovation of its education, research and scholarship. I am also proud of any role I might have played in helping Monash to value the diversity that comes from its multi-campus structure and the unique role and value of each of the campuses.

What is your next challenge?

I am taking on a variety of mostly pro-bono positions relating to medicine and medical research, education, Australian University Sport and international university education. Despite advice that one should not take up new positions until after a break, I have already committed to 12 positions of one sort or another when I return from holiday at the end of August. I will stay out of the new VC's way, but will be happy to help Monash in any way that I can when requested.

What is your parting message to staff and to students?

For staff - whether you are a member of the professional staff or academic staff - when you are feeling weighed down by work or frustration, remember that you are involved in the most important task that anyone could do contributing to the education of the leaders of the future, and to research and scholarship that will help enhance sustainable economic development, and will contribute to solving the problems facing the planet and to enriching lives.

For students, whenever you are daunted by the problems confronting the planet - whether its global warming, the global financial crisis, wars or disease - remember that the world has always faced problems and that you are better equipped than we were to make a real difference. Your lives will be more fulfilling if you use your talent and training to help others. I can't really do better than to quote Sir John Monash's words "Adopt as your fundamental creed that you equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community".

My final message to the whole Monash community is to thank you most warmly for the exhilarating experience you have given me. It has been an honour and privilege to have been vice-chancellor of such a great institution. I know that under Ed Byrne it will continue to go from strength to strength and I am sure he will find his time at Monash as fulfilling as I have found mine.

For more from Professor Larkins visit the Monash Magazine website.