September 24, 2026
University of Wollongong appoints Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Growth and Global)
Marnie Watson joins from Griffith University with 30 years' experience in international education
The University of Wollongong (UOW) has appointed Marnie Watson as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Growth and Global), commencing 1 February 2027.
UOW is a globally recognised institution, ranked among the world's top 1 per cent of universities, with more than 33,000 students from over 130 nations and a network of nearly 300 international partnerships.
Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Growth and Global) leads student growth, admissions, international recruitment, global engagement, marketing and brand, and advancement.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Max Lu AO said Ms Watson's appointment came at an important moment for the University.
“We are excited that Marnie has accepted our offer, and she will bring exactly the strong leadership skills and experience we need: deep experience across international education, a track record of delivering growth in a tough environment, and a real understanding of what a regional university means to the community it serves. I'm delighted she is joining us, and I look forward to working with her.”
- Vice-Chancellor Professor Max Lu AO
Ms Watson joins us from Griffith University, where she is Vice President (Global), leading Griffith International across international student recruitment, admissions, marketing, transnational education, global partnerships and student mobility. In that role she developed Griffith's Internationalisation Plan 2026–2030 and its transnational education strategy for China, India and Vietnam, and reversed a two-year decline in international student commencements.
She brings 30 years of leadership experience in international education across universities, pathway providers and global education businesses. Before Griffith, she was Chief Commercial and Partnerships Officer at Acumen (Sannam S4 Group), CEO of University Partnerships at UP Education, and held a series of global leadership roles over 15 years at Study Group, following early career roles with UNSW Global, including establishing UNSW and Monash University's joint recruitment office in Jakarta.
Ms Watson said she was drawn to UOW's combination of regional roots and global reach.
“UOW is a university with regional roots and a long-standing global presence, combining genuine research intensity with a distinctive identity as a powerhouse for innovation, economic prosperity and social impact, from the Illawarra to Greater Sydney and out to the world.
"As someone who grew up in regional Australia and was the first in my family to go to university, I understand why institutions like UOW matter, as engines of research and global engagement and as genuine agents of opportunity and social change. I'm looking forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor, the executive team and colleagues across the University to realise UOW's full potential in the years ahead.”
- Marnie Watson