UOW is a young, dynamic, and innovative university that has grown over its 50-year history into one of Australia’s leading institutions. Our students are the heart of everything that we do, and together, we’ll keep co-designing the future of UOW. We may be global in our reach, but we remain personal enough to make sure every student matters and belongs – preparing them not just for study and work, but for life.
Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong
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Vice-Chancellor
Meet our Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Max Lu AO, a globally recognised chemical engineer and advanced materials scientist, became the sixth Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Wollongong (UOW) in May 2025. He brings to the role more than 35 years of academic leadership, research excellence and deep engagement with industry.
Professor Lu has served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the UK since 2016. Before that, he spent two decades at the University of Queensland, holding senior leadership positions including Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Linkages), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Provost and Senior Vice-President.
In recognition of his contributions to science and education, Professor Lu was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2017 for distinguished service to education, international research and Australia-China relations.
An internationally renowned researcher in nanotechnology and materials science, Professor Lu has published more than 600 peer-reviewed journal articles and holds 25 international patents, several of which are licensed or being commercialised for energy and environmental applications. He is a highly cited researcher with an extensive record of collaboration with industry.
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A new chapter for UOW: a message from Professor Max Lu
Hear from Professor Max Lu, UOW’s new Vice-Chancellor and President, as he shares his excitement to join our community and invites us all to help shape the university’s future – together.
My name is Max Lu. I'm really, really privileged and honoured to be appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of UOW.
I'm very excited to join the University community in May. Previously, when I was a researcher and academic, I had a lot of collaborations with researchers here.
I've been always impressed by the excellence and the energy of the people here.
What excites you about leading UOW?
The University of Wollongong is really, fundamentally a very strong institution. It has great achievements in the past 50 years. I think in the year of the 50th anniversary this year, there's a lot to celebrate, to reflect on and to build on.
I think the University has tremendous capabilities and excellent people. We should really look to the future to leverage things like the great network of overseas campuses and the partnerships that we have, to really take the University to the next level.
What drives your passion for education?
As a Vice-Chancellor, as always, when I get onto the graduation platform at convocations, to see the, you know, happy faces and the families enjoying the celebration. That is the moment that actually inspires me.
As always, this is the mission of higher education. I think this is why many people working in the higher education sector are so happy to work in the sector, right, to make a difference in changing people's lives.
Will you live in Wollongong?
Yes, absolutely. I will be looking - my wife Lian and I will look for a property to buy, you know, hopefully before we arrive and we'll intend to live in Wollongong and near the campus.
What are you looking forward to?
Yes, I'll be looking forward to reconnecting with the academic community in Wollongong; of course, in the whole of Australia, where I have a lot of connections, a lot of friends and colleagues.
So to really, to meet students, staff, alumni of the University of Wollongong, to listen to them, to get to know them, what makes them tick and what their hopes and what their concerns are.
So that's something I'll look forward to returning to Australia. And apart from that, I'll be very excited to be close to my family, and I have lots of extended family in Australia as well.
Key contacts
Senior Executive Assistant
Stacey Thomas
Senior Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor
Phone: +61 2 4221 3909
Email: stacey_thomas@uow.edu.au
The Vice-Chancellor’s Unit
Building 36
University of Wollongong
NSW, 2522, Australia