Alex Zelinsky to serve as University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor until 2026

Chancellor Paul Jeans announced Professor Zelinsky's contract extension to staff in an email on Tuesday.

"The renewing of Alex's contract is key to ensuring the seamless delivery of our goals in sustainability, advancement of Indigenous education and the nurturing of community partnerships that are central to our region's growth and prosperity," he said.

"Under the leadership of Professor Zelinsky, our University has been named in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings as the world's top university for partnering for a more sustainable future, has been heavily involved in efforts to position the Hunter as a leader in securing Australia's clean energy future, and has been named as Australia's leading university for Indigenous enrolments."

Dr Zelinsky, who has been in the role since November 2018, is the university's eighth vice-chancellor.

He has had to tackle COVID's impact on the organisation during that time and has been leading the development of the university's 'Looking Ahead' Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

"I am grateful to the University Council, our staff and our students for their continued support, and I am excited to lead the University of Newcastle into an even brighter future," he said.

"As we emerge from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and its universal impacts, it is heartening to be part of a forward-looking organisation well-positioned to seize the opportunities that are emerging."

Professor Zelinsky said he was determined to deliver "an outstanding experience for our students" and "to continue to serve a region blazing a trail in innovation, technological advancement and research commercialisation".

"I am proud of the work and role that we are playing in our nation's and the Hunter's transition to a low emission energy economy," he said.

"The University of Newcastle is a leader in conducting research into tomorrow's energy and resources technologies, addressing renewable energy generation, transmission and storage.

"Our researchers are working to advance projects in hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and R&D to support the emergence of a hydrogen industry in the Hunter.

"Batteries and solar technologies, pumped hydro, biofuels and waste to energy, are among the clean energy solutions the university is advancing through its research towards a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy future."

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