Dubai, September 11, 2011: David William Rome has been appointed interim President of University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) with effect from 11 September 2011, following the end of the three-year-term of Professor Rob Whelan.
Mr. Rome was previously President of UOWD from January to August 2008. From 2009-2011, he worked on various consultancies for University of Wollongong, Australia, other universities and the private sector. He also worked as Vice-Principal [Administration] University of Wollongong, Australia from 1996-2005.
"My time at UOWD during 2008 was a richly rewarding experience and I look forward to consolidating the fantastic work done by Prof. Whelan over the last three years, and work toward ensuring that the University maintains the strong reputation it has built over the past 18 years in the region," said Mr. Rome.
Mr. Rome was a member of the University's Senior Executive Team involved in shaping and managing the strategic direction of University and oversaw personnel, finance, buildings and grounds, information technology and telecommunications services, strategic planning, student administration, student accommodation and other university services. He was also Secretary to
the University Council, Chairman of UniCentre Pty Ltd and University's representative on other external Boards. In 2007 he was the CEO of the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee during its period of transition to Universities Australia.
Mr. Rome started his career in the petroleum refining industry, and then served in the Australian diplomatic service before joining the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Between 1980 and 1997, he worked in oil industry policy in the federal Department of National Development and Energy and then in various senior executive positions involved in the provision of purchasing, property and transport services, including as General Manager Support Services in DAS, a federal government owned $50m/year business enterprise providing business support services on a commercial basis to other a range of public and private sector customers.
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About the University of Wollongong in Dubai
Established in 1993, UOWD was the first foreign university in Dubai to be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research. Located at Dubai Knowledge Village, it boasts 3,600 students representing almost 100 nationalities. It is closely associated with one of Australia's best performing research and teaching Universities, the University of Wollongong, Australia.
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© Press Release 2011
