James McWha

James A. McWha
Born (1947-05-28) 28 May 1947
Ireland
Residence Australia
Fields Botanist
Institutions University of Adelaide
Massey University
Alma mater Queen's University Belfast
Glasgow University
Notable awards Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia

James Alexander McWha is a botanist whose professional career was devoted to teaching, research and educational administration in New Zealand, Northern Ireland and Australia. He retired as Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide on 30 June 2012. In October 2013 he was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the newly created University of Rwanda.[1] He retired from the University of Rwanda in October 2015.[2]

Education

McWha graduated with a BSc and BAgr (with Honours in Agricultural Botany) from Queen's University Belfast in 1969 and 1970. McWha received his PhD from Glasgow University in 1973.

Career

After his PhD, he took up an appointment at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where a period as a lecturer in the Department of Botany was followed by a term as Head of the Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences. In 1985 he returned to Northern Ireland to take up a joint appointment as Professor and Head of Agricultural Botany at Queen's University Belfast, and Deputy Chief Scientific Officer in the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture. In 1989 he was appointed Director of DSIR Fruit and Trees in the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and in 1992 became foundation Chief Executive Officer of HortResearch (the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd).[3] He was appointed Vice-Chancellor and President of Massey University in New Zealand in 1996, and Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2002.[3] In October 2013 he was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the newly created University of Rwanda.[1] He retired from the University of Rwanda in October 2015, returning to Australia.[2]

Honours

McWha was recognised in 2003 by the award of the Australian Centenary Medal for his services to education.[4]

In May 2004, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from Massey University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Massey and his advocacy for New Zealand's education system.

He was made an honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for services to higher education in December 2011.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Kwibuka, Eugène (17 October 2013). "Profile: Who is who at University of Rwanda". newtimes.co.rw. The New Times Rwanda. Retrieved 29 July 2014. The real daily management of the University of Rwanda will be handled by veteran academics Emeritus, Prof. James McWha, who was named vice-chancellor
  2. 1 2 Kwibuka, Eugene (17 October 2015). "New UR Vice-Chancellor looks to cut bureaucracy". The New Times. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 [http://www.parliament.gov.rw/news-details/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=309&cHash=ff8e42ff40c5f64b5396ef8d57bdd6bf "The Senate approves Prof. James McWHA as Vice-Chancellor of University of Rwanda and Dr. Marc Herant as Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre"]. parliament.gov.rw. Republic of Rwanda Parliament. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  4. ↑ It's an Honour: Centenary Medal
  5. ↑ Holderhead, Sheradyn (2011-12-05). "University head awarded Order of Australia". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
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