Today Chancellor David Thodey AO announced that the University of Sydney’s Senate unanimously approved a second five-year term for Professor Mark Scott as Vice-Chancellor and President. His second term will begin on 19 July 2026. 

“Under Professor Scott's leadership, the University has embarked on an ambitious 10-year strategy to transform people’s lives and contribute to a better world.” David said. 

“During his first term, the University has been recognised as one of the top 100 universities in the world, has welcomed nearly 2000 under-represented domestic students through the MySydney scholarship and broke ground on the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, a world-leading partnership with the Sydney Local Health District and NSW Government that will fast-track scientific discovery into better health outcomes."

“Since joining us in July 2021, Professor Scott has diligently navigated the University through some difficult challenges such the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving geopolitical landscape.” 

“As we approach the end of our first of three 3-year implementation roadmaps for Sydney in 2032, I am confident that Professor Scott–unwavering in his pursuit of excellence and innovation–will continue to lead the University towards its mission and ensure our work is more compelling, and more important to our society, than at any other time in our history.”

“We still have much to do to achieve our ambitions of academic and research excellence, and student experience. However, the Senate is confident that under Professor Scott’s leadership we will achieve our objectives, and we look forward to working with Professor Scott and the University leadership team to accomplish this.”

In accepting the reappointment, Professor Scott said “It is with great pride that I continue to serve our students, staff and wider community as Vice-Chancellor and President, and great privilege that I continue to build upon the rich 175-year history of the University of Sydney. I am energised each day by our work to transform lives through education and research, and contribute to a better world, and I look forward to continuing this important work with our people, students and our community.”

Professor Scott is an alumnus of the University and holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Education, a Master of Arts (Political Science and Government), an Honorary Doctorate (Letters) and a Professor of Practice (Education and Media) from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a highly respected and successful senior leader with a distinguished record of strategic leadership across a range of large and complex institutions, including the ABC and NSW Department of Education. In addition to his role as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott is currently the Chair of the Group of Eight universities, Chair of the Conversation Media Group board, and Chair of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Limited (ANZSOG)’s Academic Board.