ACU’s new Vice-Chancellor welcomed

Professor Zlatko Skrbis and Archbishop Prowse

Australian Catholic University welcomed its new Vice-Chancellor and President to the Canberra community last night.

Slovenian-born sociologist Professor Zlatko Skrbis, who took up the appointment in January, said he was extremely grateful to those who had made the Signadou campus what it is today.

“Religious congregations have been pivotal to the formation and growth of this university here in Canberra,” he said.

“The work done by the Dominican Sisters laid the foundation for this campus and we continue to honour and celebrate those contributions.”

ACU’s Canberra campus was founded as a partnership with the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn and the Dominican Sisters.

(From Right) Slovenian Ambassador to Australia Jurij Rifelj with Professor Skrbis and wife Marta

Diplomats, politicians, clergy and members of religious orders, education stakeholders, Catholic agency heads and ACU staff and students were among those who attended.

Archbishop Christopher Prowse celebrated the liturgy and prayed a special blessing for Professor Skrbis and wife Marta.

“The baton is now handed down to you and we want to pray down upon you God’s love and blessing,” he said.

“We bless the Vice-Chancellor and President as he leads the Australian Catholic University with truth and love, and as he serves to advance the universal mission of the church particularly here in the Canberra campus.”

Slovenian Ambassador to Australia Jurij Rifelj said he was proud of the achievements of his compatriot.

Professor Skrbis will visit ACU campuses across Australia in coming weeks.