Group of Eight Status Retained as Adelaide University Welcomes New VC Nicola Phillips

The Council of Transition for Adelaide University has confirmed the appointment of Nicola Phillips as the new Vice-Chancellor of Victoria College for a term that will commence on January 12, 2026. It was mentioned that Phillips was the Provost of the University of Melbourne and acted in the capacity of Vice-Chancellor there. The next phase of the merger involving Adelaide University, wherein it now combines with UniSA into one in the CBD of Adelaide, will be under her leadership, the Council has said.

Chairwoman of the Council, Pauline Carr, referred to the strong foundations laid by the founding co-Vice-Chancellors, Professors Peter Høj AC and David Lloyd, as they set up the new institution. She further said that they would still be enabling the transition for the time until Phillips formally took over, while also managing the wind-down of activities of the two founding universities. Observers said that this vice-chancellor transition mirrors higher education leadership in South Australia to an extent, with Adelaide University expected to still remain part of the Group of Eight in Australia. But complex issues prevail in the mix of mergers, which began in 2022. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Paula Ward reportedly resigned following a backlash over comments she made regarding remote working. A Senate inquiry has initiated additional questions regarding the payment that Deloitte received to support the merger.

Initially, the two professors could divulge such figures, but they were later informed that a reconsideration might be on the table. As Høj put it, it would be very much necessary to call on someone from outside because of the sheer complexity of merging two huge institutions: it certainly has a very sound academic governance justification in the context of merger and higher education institutional reform.

Expected to be turning over around $2.2 billion annually, the new university is going to be a giant player in South Australian higher education. Analysts pointed out that Phillips' emphasis on equity and inclusion would really fit well with Adelaide University's vision of becoming a full university strategy and becoming a change agent. For her part, she was very much looking forward to taking Adelaide University forward, reaching out to make sure its high-quality education and research would reach into every nook and cranny of society. Analysts observed that the shape of research and academic priorities would be primarily determined going forward for Adelaide University by how Nicola Phillips would lead the merged Adelaide University starting in January 2026, against the challenges of building the new institution.

In short, Phillips' appointment as the first Vice-Chancellor of Adelaide University serves as an indication of why she was selected to steer that merger. As stated above, it has far-reaching implications for both students and staff, and it requires the institution to walk a fine line between continuity and change. Its long-term vision is straightforward: under its first VC, Adelaide University in South Australia, as a leader in higher educational reform across South Australia, would ensure that the merged university lives up to its ideal of inclusiveness, excellence, and public impact.

Editor’s Note:

Nicola Phillips has been confirmed as Vice-Chancellor, an appointment that holds significant symbolic value for the merger of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide. Her leadership skills, developed through previous roles including her experience at the University of Melbourne, are expected to guide the institution through what is anticipated to be a complex developmental phase. The Transition Council professes strong foundations already laid down by Professors Peter Høj and David Lloyd, who will continue to provide support during the phase until Phillips officially assumes her role. Such a complete handover is critical, including the already encountered challenges with leadership changes and questioning over external contractual ties that have characterised the merger. Adelaide University is going to be a major contributor to higher education in South Australia with an expected annual turnover of approximately $2.2 billion. The lens Phillips focuses on equity and inclusion nicely dovetails into the vision of building a full university, and that serves society as a whole or as wide as possible.

Skoobuzz highlights that her appointment symbolically indicates a shift between reform and stability. The long-term success of Adelaide University rests on its ability to ensure that inclusiveness, excellence, and impact on the public remain central to its mission.

FAQs

1. Who is Nicola Phillips, the new VC of Adelaide University?

Nicola Phillips has been appointed as Adelaide University's new VC. She is an experienced higher education leader who previously served as Provost at the University of Melbourne and also acted as Interim Vice-Chancellor there.

2. When will Nicola Phillips begin her role at Adelaide University?

Her term as Vice-Chancellor will officially begin on 12 January 2026, when she takes over leadership of the newly merged institution.

3. Which universities are merging to form Adelaide University?

The Adelaide University merger involves the University of Adelaide and UniSA combining into one comprehensive university, based in the Adelaide CBD in South Australia.

4. What experience does Nicola Phillips bring to Adelaide University?

Phillips brings extensive experience in higher education leadership in South Australia and beyond. Her background includes senior roles in academic governance, equity and inclusion, and institutional reform, which align with Adelaide University’s vision of becoming a trailblazer for change.

5. Why is the leadership appointment critical for the new Adelaide University?

Commentators have explained that the leadership appointment is vital because the new Vice-Chancellor will guide the university through a complex merger. Phillips’ role will be central in shaping research priorities, ensuring stability during transition, and building a comprehensive university strategy that balances continuity with reform.