Tuesday, 03 November 2026
The fifth regular meeting of Edith Cowan University Council for 2026 was held at Joondalup Campus on Thursday, 22 October, chaired by the Chancellor, Ms Gaye McMath. Prior to the meeting, Council visited the School of Education, where Members heard from Executive Dean Professor Caroline Mansfield, staff and students about a range of current initiatives in the School.
Students and Education – Council received a strategic briefing and presentation from Professor Braden Hill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education), which outlined challenges and articulated pathways forward to achieve ECU’s ambitions as set out in the Strategic Plan.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander progress report – Professor Dan McAullay, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) delivered an update to Council, reflecting on outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to date, and proposing strategies to achieve long-term positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students across the University.
WA Universities Reform – Council discussed the State Government’s recent announcement regarding the development of a business case for the possible merger of UWA, Curtin and Murdoch universities, and established a Steering Group to monitor progress and focus on potential impacts for ECU.
ECU Student Guild Report –Mr Sheharyar Sahi, President of the ECU Student Guild, presented a summary of the Guild’s activities in 2026, and highlighted a number of challenges that the Guild sought to address with the support of the University.
Vice-Chancellor's report – Council received a report from the Vice-Chancellor, which included updates on:
Plan to address racism amendments – Council approved ECU's plan to address recent amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 relating to racism.
ECU City – Project Update – Council received a project update, which included a formal report on the Project’s delivery, outcomes and key requirements under the Funding Agreement.
Internal Audit – Council approved amendments to the Internal Audit Mandate and Charter, and noted the Internal Audit Status Update report, which included a summary of a recent audit of International Student Retention.
Posthumous conferral of award – on the recommendation of Academic Board, Council approved the conferral of one award posthumously.
Meetings – Council noted the Chairs' reports of the following meetings:
Committee/Board | Date of meeting | Meeting chaired by |
Quality, Audit and Risk Committee | 14 Sep 2026 | Mr Mark Puzey |
Academic Board | 24 Sep 2026 | Prof Madeleine Ogilvie |
Other matters – Council also considered a commercial-in-confidence matter.
Appointment and succession planning processes – Council noted a report on the appointment and succession planning processes undertaken by the Governance and Nominations Committee in accordance with the Membership of Council and Council Bodies Policy and Procedures.
Appointments and reappointments – Council approved the following appointments and reappointments:
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled to be held on 10 December 2026 at ECU City.
Joanne Quinn
University Secretary
28 October 2026
For further information, please contact j.quinn@ecu.edu.au