Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt appointed as vice-chancellor of ANU

Nobel Laureate Prof. Brian Schmidt has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU), the university announced on Wednesday.

The renowned astrophysicist and winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics will become ANU's 12th vice-chancellor.

ANU Chancellor Prof. Gareth Evans said the University Council was delighted that Schmidt had accepted the offer to lead the university.

"Brian Schmidt is superbly placed to deliver on the ambition of ANU founders, to permanently secure our position among the great universities of the world, and as a crucial contributor to the nation," Evans said.

"We had a stellar field of international and Australian candidates, and have chosen an inspirational leader," he said.

"Brian's vision, vitality, global stature and communication skills are going to take our national university to places it has never been before," Evans said.

Schmidt will replace outgoing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ian Young and will commence his duty on January 1, 2016.

Schmidt said he was thrilled to be appointed as the vice- chancellor and to have the opportunity to lead the university where he has worked for the past 20 years.

"I've been at the ANU for some 20 years and it has given me some of the best experiences of my life. I really want to give back to the university that has given so much to me," he said.

Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne said at his Twitter account that he welcomed Schmidt's appointment and wished him all the best in what would be an exciting and challenging role. Endi