Paul Thomas AM (born 1941) is the founding Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the Sunshine Coast.

From March 1994 to December 1995, Thomas was the Planning President of the university, then named the Sunshine Coast University College. In 1996, he became the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast. He retired from office in 2010.

In May 2012, the Minister for Health of Queensland Lawrence Springborg announced that Thomas had been appointed Chair of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board.Minister for Health announcement of new role Retrieved 19 May 2012 This new role involves the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital in which the Queensland Government is investing $2.03 billion.New $2.03 billion hospital for Sunshine Coast region Retrieved 19 May 2012

Education

Thomas received undergraduate degrees from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and a research MA (Master of Arts) from Loughborough University before coming to Australia in 1976. At the University of Queensland, Brisbane, he received a PhD.Education Retrieved 10 January 2012

Career Thomas occupied senior posts in the British higher education system before taking up a position as Head of Education at Kelvin Grove Campus of Brisbane College of Advanced Education (later Queensland University of Technology).Queensland Government Biography Archived from the original on 9 March 2013.

From March 1994 to December 1995, Thomas was the Planning President for Australia's newest public university, University of the Sunshine Coast. In the early planning stages, Thomas operated out of the boot of his car when he consulted with Sunshine Coast community groups and businesses.Community Magazine 2006 Page 6 Retrieved on 9 March 2013. Thomas has been interviewed and presented on planning and designing university campuses.. Retrieved 9 March 2013

In 1996, Thomas became the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast. The university then only had 524 students, two buildings and a choice of two degrees. Under his tenure and 15 years later, the university today has more than 7,000 students, 16 buildings and more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate study programs.History and Growth at USC Retrieved 28 January 2012Video: "Today's Challenges in University Design" | Informa Higher Education Series Retrieved 29 January 2012

During Thomas's term as Vice-Chancellor, the University of the Sunshine Coast developed an art collection of contemporary Australian art with an emphasis on Queensland artists including indigenous artists.Art collection during term of office. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013.Western Desert Education Resource. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013.

Thomas also initiated a $2.1 million Olympic-size swimming pool which opened in late 2011. This is used for training by elite athletes as well as for community use.Construction begins on USC Olympic Pool 2010 Retrieved 30 January 2012USC Olympic Pool Opens in 2011 Retrieved 30 January 2012

Thomas was also the chairman of the board of directors at the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast through all stages of its development.Innovation Centre – Man with a Vision Retrieved 29 January 2012

In March 2010, the University of the Sunshine Coast received its sixth consecutive Employer of Choice For Women citation. These citations are awarded annually by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency in recognition of efforts to increase the representation of women at senior staff levels and to help staff maintain work-life balance.EOWA Citations Retrieved 8 February 2012

Thomas is currently a member of the National Leadership Institute Advisory Board,Board Member of National Leadership Institute Advisory Board Retrieved 28 January 2012. made up of Australian experts from academia, government and industry.National Leadership Institute Advisory Board Retrieved 28 January 2012

Post-university career On 18 May 2012, Thomas was appointed Inaugural Chair of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board by the Minister for Health of Queensland, Lawrence Springborg. He was involved in the new $2.03 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) which opened in 2017.Suncoast Daily article Retrieved 20 May 2012.

Honours In 2002, Thomas was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to Australian society through higher education and university administration.Centenary Medal AO Retrieved 17 January 2012

On Australia Day 2007, Thomas was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to higher education, particularly through the development and administration of the University of the Sunshine Coast, and to the establishment of educational links with China and Japan.Order of Australia AM Retrieved 17 January 2012

In 2009, Thomas was the recipient of the Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Leadership Award by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He is the first Vice-Chancellor of any Australian university to be recognised in this way by CASE, which annually presents leadership awards in eight districts throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.CASE Leadership Award Retrieved 28 January 2012 CASE President John Lippincott hosted the presentation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on 25 March 2009. Lippincott praised Thomas for his pioneering leadership and for developing a culture of philanthropy through exemplary regional engagement.CASE prestigious international award for excellence in leadership Retrieved 16 January 2012

In 2011, Thomas became the first Emeritus Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.Emeritus Professorship Archived from the original on Mar 2013.

In addition, Thomas is:

a Fellow of the Australian College of EducatorsThe National Leading in Education Summit 2009 Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. a recipient of two Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Awards. a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (LRPS: Licentiateship of the Royal Photographic Society) which is awarded by the Society's Council.

Photography

In 2013 a photographic exhibition titled Paul Thomas AM: Images of Vietnam was opened displaying 56 photographs of markets, fishing boats, scenery and street life Thomas captured during his 2012 trip to Vietnam.Sunshine Coast Daily (6 February 2013). Former university leader sees world through a camera Archived from the original on 9 February 2013.USC Art Gallery (7 February 2013). USC Art Gallery Opening – Paul Thomas: Images of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013.

References