Farewell to Chancellor Peter N. Varghese AO

Speech delivered by Professor Deborah Terry AC, Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Queensland at Customs House, Brisbane.

Date: 8 July 2026

I, too, would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we’re meeting and pay my respects to their Elders past, present & emerging. 

• Thank you Tonianne, and can I join you in acknowledging all of our distinguished guests in attendance, including, of course:
• Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD, and 
• The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts

Good evening. It is a great pleasure to welcome you all here tonight as we celebrate the remarkable contribution of our outgoing Chancellor, Mr Peter Varghese AO.

Peter, occasions like this can sometimes be a little uncomfortable for the person being honoured. 

Maybe especially for someone like you. After all, diplomats are generally more accustomed to introducing others than being the centre of attention themselves.

But tonight, I'm afraid, there is no escape. Tonight is all about you.  And specifically, about thanking you for a decade of exceptional leadership, wise counsel and an unwavering commitment to The University of Queensland.

And for reminding us, time and time again, what thoughtful and astute leadership looks like.

Peter's career before becoming Chancellor hardly needs introduction, but it would be remiss of me not to remind us all of his many achievements.

Over nearly 40 years in Australia's foreign service, he became one of our country's most distinguished diplomats. 

He served Australia in Tokyo, Vienna and Washington, was High Commissioner to Malaysia and to India, Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister and, ultimately, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Roles that clearly demanded extraordinary judgement, integrity and the capacity to navigate complexity and nuance. Qualities that Peter has in spades.

In 2016, Peter left DFAT and joined UQ as our 14^th Chancellor. 

However, long before he became Chancellor, Peter was part of UQ’s story.

In 1965, his father accepted a lectureship in comparative education in UQ’s Faculty of Education after the Varghese family moved to Australia from Kenya – a position he held right through to his retirement in 1982. 

He and his family lived nearby – on Ryans Road – and Peter said himself that the St Lucia campus became their second home. 

Six of his siblings studied here. Peter, of course, also studied here, earning a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours and a University Medal in 1978. 

It was here that he met Margaret, who would become his wife. And later, it was here that their son, Christopher, began his engineering studies. 

So, while Peter's career in public service and public policy was international in nature, his connection to UQ has always been deeply local and personal; woven into the fabric of his family. 

For the past 10 years, Peter has led this University with extraordinary distinction.

There are, of course, the measurable contributions.

The many Senate meetings chaired.

The graduation ceremonies where thousands upon thousands of students crossed the stage, each one greeted with the same genuine warmth and interest.

The speeches delivered. The official visits. The international delegations.

Those numbers tell one story. An impressive story. 

Then there’s the growth that UQ has experienced during Peter’s tenure. 

Our enrolments have increased from 51,000 to now over 60,000. 

Our reputation as a global top 50 university has been secured, reflecting deep and broad strengths across teaching, research and commercialisation.  

And our revenue has grown from $1.75 billion dollars annually to $2.84 billion dollars in 2026.

These numbers tell another story. Again, an impressive one. 

But neither of these sets of outcomes come close to the heart of Peter's contribution to UQ.

Which – in my view – is the way he has encouraged us to think and act.

Peter has consistently challenged us to remember that universities exist for a purpose larger than ourselves.

He’s argued that excellence matters because it facilitates our capacity to genuinely deliver for the public good through our education, our research, and our deep contributions to our communities.

And he’s emphasised our responsibility to be a place where difficult ideas can be examined openly, respectfully, and without fear.

Those conversations have never felt ideological with Peter. They’ve always been thoughtful. Measured. Grounded in evidence.

And motivated by a genuine desire to strengthen not only UQ’s sense of purpose and impact, but also the level of public trust and pride in our entire sector.

Peter has also helped shape our future in lasting ways.

He was one of the key champions of UQ’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign – ‘Not if, When – The Campaign to Create Change’, recognising the transformational role that philanthropy plays in driving excellence and expanding opportunity.

His support was instrumental in the development of UQ’s flagship program, The Queensland Commitment, which reinforces the University's responsibility and commitment to the State and communities we serve.

And he oversaw the establishment of UQ’s Future Fund, as a way to protect the University from major financial shocks at the same time as supporting our educational offerings to remain future-focused and fit-for-purpose. 

Peter has also strongly supported investments in our physical footprint – including the expanision of our city presence to include the Queensland National Bank building on Queen St; construction of new accommodation to complement our 10 residential colleges; and the revitalisation of Mayne Hall – understanding that the places in which our students live, learn, and gather matter deeply to university life.

And, unsurprisingly for someone who had reached the heights of foreign affairs, Peter has guided our well-regarded approach to international education and strengthened our global profile, particularly through our large, joint PhD program with the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi.

In every setting, he’s represented the university, and the sector more broadly, with clarity, credibility and quiet authority.

But perhaps Peter's greatest contribution has been his example.

Leadership is often mistaken for certainty and control. But Peter has shown us that leadership is really about influence and trust.

It’s about asking good questions rather than assuming you already know the answers. It’s about listening carefully. 

Garnering consensus without demanding it.

Helping people find common ground, without ever diminishing the richness of different perspectives.

Peter has that rare ability to make everyone in the room feel heard. You could disagree with him – and sometimes people did – but you never doubted that he had listened and weighed every perspective carefully.

And you always knew that whatever conclusion he reached would be guided by principle rather than by expedience.

That’s the diplomat in him. But I think it’s also, quite simply, the person he is. Generous. Measured. Intellectually curious. And deeply committed to serving something greater than himself.

When Peter began in his role as Chancellor he reflected on his personal history and said of The University that it had: “moulded the intellectual foundation of [his] career in public service and public policy.”

And 10 years later, I can say with total conviction, that the reverse is also true. Peter, you have moulded and shaped UQ, in a myriad of positive ways. 

This is of course reflected in a University that is stronger, more confident and better positioned for the future. A university that is often seen as a role model for others in the sector.

But also, Peter, it’s reflected in the culture you helped shape. The example you set. And the standard you established for what principled and effective leadership looks like.

So much so, that when I think about your impact and the legacy you leave, I am reminded of the quote by philosopher Karl Popper:

“I may be wrong and you may be right, and by an effort, we may get nearer to the truth.” 

Peter, in the years I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside you, I have observed you bring these words to life.

Through your belief that growth and progress – and by extension, leadership – require intellectual humility, open debate, and genuine collaboration. 

I know I speak for myself, my predecessor Peter Hoj, and many people here this evening, when I say that it has been a great privilege to work with you. 

Now, Peter, your term as Chancellor may be coming to an end, however your place in the story of this University most certainly is not.

Which is why I’m delighted to announce this evening that Peter will remain an active member of our community as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Political Science and International Studies. 

On behalf of everyone at The University of Queensland, Peter, congratulations on 10 remarkable years at the helm of UQ’s Senate. 

Thank you for your outstanding leadership, your wisdom, your friendship and your distinguished service to this institution.

We wish you, and Margaret, every happiness in the years ahead. And we look forward to the positive contribution you will undoubtably continue to make in the future. 

I’d now like to invite Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, to say a few words. 

ANNOUNCEMENT of Peter N. Varghese building

Peter, may you please remain on the stage a few moments longer.

I have one final announcement to make this evening. 

A couple of years ago, Peter’s only sister, Mary Varghese, published a moving and inspiring memoir about her family’s journey from India to East Africa and Australia. And at the very end of the memoir she includes a photograph of herself with her eight brothers. 

In the picture, they’re celebrating Peter and Jim [and wonderful to have you here this evening, Jim] who both received Australian honours a year apart, and nearly half a century after the family’s arrival in Australia. 

Below the picture, Mary quotes from a letter that their father wrote to the Department of Immigration back in 1967 – in his words:

“It is needless to mention that the qualifications my children are expected to obtain, will make contributions to the further advancement of this great country.” 

Now, we are of course almost 6 decades on from when Peter’s father wrote those words, and I think you will all agree with me, that they have turned out to be entirely true! 

And so, ladies and gentlemen, in honour of Peter, his remarkable contributions as Chancellor of the University of Queensland, and, in the words of his father, his “contributions to the further advancement of this great country”, I am delighted to announce that we are renaming the Social Sciences Building – the long-standing home of the School of Education, and his father’s workplace for many years – the Peter N. Varghese building. 

Naming a building is a powerful and enduring statement.

Buildings are the most visible and permanent features of a university campus. 

And through their names, we signal what excellence looks like. 

We communicate what kinds of leadership we admire. 

And we ensure that the achievements of those who have shaped our institution are woven into the daily experience of future generations.

And so, it is entirely fitting, for this reason – and because this building holds personal significance for the Varghese family – that the Social Sciences Building is renamed in Peter’s honour. 

Recognising both his exceptional service as Chancellor, and the enduring, multigenerational relationship between the Varghese family and The University of Queensland.

Please join me in, once again, acknowledging Mr Peter Varghese AO.