Professor James Arvanitakis, a regular contributor to Neos Kosmos, was appointed as the new Director of the Forrest Research Foundation. The Foundation was established in Western Australia to support a “exceptional scholars undertake ground-breaking doctoral and postdoctoral research,” said a media release announcing the new appointment.
Forrest Research Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest AO said that she is “thrilled Professor Arvanitakis is coming on board.”
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Arvanitakis to Forrest Research Foundation,” Mrs Forrest said in a media release.
She said that Western Australia “deserves a world-class research community, to tackle global challenges and push us forward as a society. We are looking forward to working alongside Professor Arvanitakis to help make our State the destination for the world’s best and brightest researchers.”
The Foundation provides scholarships and fellowships to outstanding intellects from around the world to conduct research at one of Western Australia’s five universities – UWA, Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and University of Notre Dame.
“I am honoured to be part of such an extraordinary institution and I look forward to delivering on the Forrest Research Foundation’s core aims,” Prof Arvanitakis said to Neos Kosmos.
“In my work as a scholar and as a public commentator, I have sought to look at all sides of complex issues, and I aim to see that the Forrest Research Foundation is proactive in guiding world-class research”
Prof. Arvanitakis said that Western Australia is in the “enviable position of being a close to Asia” and that proximity will allow for great partnerships with scholars and research institutions in places like, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and other Asian nations.
He added that he was very aware that WA is culturally diverse and has one of the “oldest Greek communities in Australia which has impacted on the development of Australia’s economy and society.”
Prof. Arvanitakis was the former Pro Vice-Chancellor at Western Sydney University, the principal consultant at the Astrolabe Group, and the Executive Director of Fulbright Australia.
After a successful career in finance and human rights, he has worked with universities for more than 15 years establishing innovative education and research programs.
Arvanitakis, has a regular segment on ABC News 24, contributes to Neos Kosmos, and has published over 100 articles.
UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said thanks to the generosity of Andrew and Nicola Forrest and the Minderoo Foundation, the Forrest Research Foundation worked with the scholars and fellows to build a dynamic research and academic community in Western Australia.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Arvanitakis to the Foundation and UWA in September and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Professor Paul Johnson for his valuable contributions to the Forrest Research Foundation over the past five years,” Professor Chakma said.