Alan William LINDSAY (1945 - 2023)

Emeritus Professor Alan William Lindsay, who died on 30 December 2023 aged 78 years, had a varied career which included a period in the navy. He began life as a science teacher and was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) of the University from 1997-2005.

Born in March 1945, Alan graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney in 1964, majoring in Applied Mathematics and Physics. This was followed by a Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney (1965), and a Teaching Certificate from the NSW Department of Education a year later.

Following a spell as a science teacher, Professor Lindsay became a Commissioned Officer with the Royal Australian Navy, where he was responsible for technical education and training in the electrical, sonar, radar and diving schools. He returned to his alma mater to study for a Master of Education, graduating with first class honours in 1974.

By now his path was firmly set in academia; he obtained a PhD from Macquarie University in 1979, specialising in higher education planning and administration. He progressed from senior lecturer to his appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Macquarie in 1990. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) at Monash in 1997.

Professor Lindsay was integral to the planning and strategic management of the University’s global and academic program. The Academic portfolio, vast under his leadership, included responsibility for institutional planning, academic policy and the overall course profile, as well as the development of flexible, open and distance learning, quality assurance and improvement, academic staffing, access and equity, and international development. In particular, Professor Lindsay played a major role in the planning, execution and strategic management of Monash’s global academic activities.

For much of his time as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Lindsay also chaired the University’s Academic Board, was a member of the University Council, and served on the boards of several companies including Open Universities Australia, Monash International, Monash College, and Monash Commercial.

Professor Lindsay’s external engagement was significant; he served on numerous institutional and government committees, including the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee advisory groups relating to teaching and learning, quality, and equity; the Australian Government Department’s Advisory Group on the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund; and was chair of the Group of Eight (Go8) Deputy Vice-Chancellors’ (Academic) Group.

After stepping down as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Lindsay was appointed an Emeritus Professor in the Faculty of Education in 2006.

He utilised his extensive experience to advise and consult to universities and private higher education institutions on institutional strategy and management, quality assurance and improvement, audit and accreditation, leadership development, and international education initiatives. Some of his projects included the Education University of Hong Kong (founded as The Hong Kong Institute of Education), the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (founded as the University of Dammam), and the Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) – the first college of education for women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In 2014 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to higher and international education.

His legacy lives on in the many education initiatives he helped create for students in Australia and beyond.

Edited version of article published 8 January 2024.