Michael Birt
Encyclopedia
Lindsay Michael Birt, AO
, CBE
(18 January 193228 October 2001) was the inaugural vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong
between 1975–1980, and the fourth vice-chancellor of the University of New South Wales
between 1981 - 1992.
In 1960, Birt returned to the University of Melbourne taking up the position of lecturer and then senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry. In 1967 he was invited to become the inaugural chair and head of the Australian National University
Department of Biochemistry, where he remained until his appointment in 1973 as vice-chancellor designate at the Wollongong University College. Foundation vice-chancellor at the University of Wollongong from 1975, Michael Birt then moved on to the vice-chancellorship of the University of New South Wales in 1981.
During his time as Vice Chancellor at the University of Wollongong, Birt had been responsible for getting the University of Wollongong up and running, and also preparing it for amalgamation with the Wollongong Teachers College in 1982. He left Wollongong to take on the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of New South Wales. In honour of Birt's contribution to the University of Wollongong, its main library is named the Michael Birt Library.
As the Vice Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Birt managed the university through the reintroduction of student fees and oversaw the development of the College of Fine Arts
and the Australian Defence Force Academy
. In 1993 the Michael Birt Gardens at UNSW were named in honour of Birt's contribution to the UNSW.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(18 January 193228 October 2001) was the inaugural vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong
University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney...
between 1975–1980, and the fourth vice-chancellor of the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
between 1981 - 1992.
Biography
Michael Birt was born on 18 January 1932 in Melbourne, Australia. He was educated at Melbourne Boys High School and the University of Melbourne, where he completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, a Bachelor of Science and a PhD in biochemistry.In 1960, Birt returned to the University of Melbourne taking up the position of lecturer and then senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry. In 1967 he was invited to become the inaugural chair and head of the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
Department of Biochemistry, where he remained until his appointment in 1973 as vice-chancellor designate at the Wollongong University College. Foundation vice-chancellor at the University of Wollongong from 1975, Michael Birt then moved on to the vice-chancellorship of the University of New South Wales in 1981.
During his time as Vice Chancellor at the University of Wollongong, Birt had been responsible for getting the University of Wollongong up and running, and also preparing it for amalgamation with the Wollongong Teachers College in 1982. He left Wollongong to take on the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of New South Wales. In honour of Birt's contribution to the University of Wollongong, its main library is named the Michael Birt Library.
As the Vice Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Birt managed the university through the reintroduction of student fees and oversaw the development of the College of Fine Arts
College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts is the creative arts faculty of the University of New South Wales and is located on Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney, Australia.- History :...
and the Australian Defence Force Academy
Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
. In 1993 the Michael Birt Gardens at UNSW were named in honour of Birt's contribution to the UNSW.