Attila Brungs (born 1972) is the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of New South Wales (UNSW).[1] He was appointed to the role in January 2022. Prior to this role, he was the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS); a role that he held from July 2014 to October 2021.[2]

Attila Brungs
10th Vice-Chancellor and President of the
University of New South Wales
Assumed office
31 January 2022
ChancellorDavid Gonski
Preceded byIan Jacobs
4th Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Technology Sydney
In office
July 2014 – October 2021
ChancellorVicki Sara
Brian Wilson
Catherine Livingstone
Preceded byR.E. Milbourne
Succeeded byAndrew Parfitt
Personal details
Born1972 (age 51–52)
Australia
Residence(s)Sydney, New South Wales
Alma materUniversity of New South Wales
University of Oxford
ProfessionUniversity vice-chancellor
Academic
Alma mater
Scientific career
FieldsInorganic chemistry
ThesisTransition metal carbides as catalysts for methane reforming (1998)
Doctoral advisorMalcolm Green

Career

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Brungs has been a researcher in both industry and academia, with interests in the area of heterogeneous catalysis. Brungs is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales[3] and an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

As Vice-Chancellor of UTS, Brungs has been instrumental in the university's rise to Australia's position among the world's top young universities,[4][5] including supporting the transformation of the UTS campus with the addition of the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, designed by Frank Gehry, the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Building,[6] the Vicki Sara Building and the UTS Central Building through a $1.5 billion campus master plan.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UTS in September 2009, Brungs was General Manager, Science Investment, Strategy and Performance at CSIRO.[7] His role incorporated the determination of broad research direction and resource allocation, performance monitoring of CSIRO research programs, including its flagship programs, and the development and implementation of organisational strategy.

Before joining CSIRO in 2002, Brungs was a senior manager at McKinsey and Co, managing teams in North America, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.[citation needed]

Some of Brungs' present key appointments include the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council; Committee for Sydney Board; Convenor, NSW Vice-Chancellor's Committee; Chair, Australian Technology Network; and the ATSE Diversity and Equity Committee. His experience includes many distinguished past board and committee memberships, including for not-for-profit organisations, in addition to numerous state and federal government and institutional appointments.

Education

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Brungs is a Rhodes Scholar, with a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from Oxford University, and a recipient of the University Medal in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW. He is an alumnus of Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview in Sydney.

Personal life

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Brungs grew up in Sydney and is married to artist Kate Gradwell. Brungs and Gradwell have two children together. He is a member of the Sydney Sabre and UTS Fencing Club.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Vice-Chancellor and President". 7 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Attila Brungs Profile". 1 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Fellows of the Royal Society of NSW (B)". Royal Society of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  4. ^ Dodd, Tim (5 April 2017). "University of Technology, Sydney ranked in world's top 20 of young universities under 50 years old". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. ^ "QS University Rankings: Top 50 Under 50 2016-2017". Top Universities. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. ^ Sharples, Sarah (11 June 2014). "Wee miracle as city landmark opens". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Attila Brungs - General Manager, Science Investment, Strategy and Performance". CSIROpedia. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Academic offices
Preceded by
RE Milbourne
4th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney
2014–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by 10th Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of New South Wales
2021–
Incumbent
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