Deputy steps up

Monash University's stand-in leader has dismissed claims that the institution's reputation has been damaged by the accelerated departure of vice-chancellor David Robinson, writes Geoff Maslen. Professor Robinson was forced to step down after revelations in The THES that he had committed acts of plagiarism while working in England in the 1970s and 1980s.

Peter Darvall, Monash's senior deputy vice-chancellor, said the public had seen a university protect its core values - it had found something amiss and put it right.

His appointment last week was widely welcomed, although he will serve for only six to 12 months until a permanent replacement is found. Professor Darvall, a former dean of engineering at Monash, had been deputy vice-chancellor for the past five years.

Chancellor Jerry Ellis said that in Professor Darvall, Monash had a leader committed to current initiatives, "thus ensuring continuity of their development".

Professor Darvall said his first move would be to re-emphasise teaching and research excellence and to pursue plans for the future "to which we are committed".