University Partner
Professor Steve Chapman
Former Vice-Chancellor and President, Edith Cowan University
Professor Steve Chapman was Vice-Chancellor at Edith Cowan University from April 2015 until July 2024. Located in Perth, Australia, Edith Cowan University was the first university to partner with Navitas in 1994 and together they opened Navitas’ first pathway college, Perth Institute of Business and Technology (PIBT). In 2016, Navitas and Edith Cowan University entered into a successful joint venture, at which time the college’s name changed from PIBT to Edith Cowan College. Navitas’ 30 year strong partnership with the University continues to this day.
“We’ve always found it easy to work with Navitas. There’s always been parity of esteem. We both respect each other and both institutions.”
Transcript
There have been many key achievements that have happened because of the partnership. There’s no limit to what we can achieve together.
My name is Steve Chapman and I’m the Vice Chancellor and President of Edith Cowan University.
When and how did your university come to partner with Navitas?
The first time I interacted with Navitas was by going for dinner with Rod Jones and it was love at first sight. And from then, we’ve had a very, very successful partnership together.
What has been a highlight of your time with Navitas?
There are many highlights working with Navitas, but I guess the one that was the most exciting was the official opening of ECU Sri Lanka, which was amazing, attended by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. And it’s a testament to the success of our partnership.
How has partnering with Navitas made an impact on the university?
The partnership with Navitas has been absolutely critical to the success of ECU and that includes our pathway college, Edith Cowan College, and also our operations overseas, for example in Sri Lanka. The university simply wouldn’t be where it is without that long term partnership.
What key achievements come to mind during the partnership with Navitas?
There have been many key achievements that have happened because of the partnership between Navitas and ECU.
Now originally, and in fact this was the first, well, first thing set up by Rod, we have PIBT, the Perth Institute of Business and Technology. After I came in 2015, we renegotiated things to have a joint venture, 50/50. And of course that allowed the establishment of Edith Cowan College, which has gone on to great things. So, that’s definitely a highlight.
But of course, there’s also our international operations. We were with the ACBT in Sri Lanka and that grew until we now have our own branch campus and that’s been hugely beneficial for both Navitas and ECU and it’s growing at a phenomenal rate and it’s a great success.
What would you say to a university considering partnering with Navitas?
Navitas is a great partner to have for a number of reasons. They’re definitely values-driven and we share most of those values. They’re very trusted and they work as a partner that wants to achieve the best for students.
We’ve always found it easy to work with Navitas. And sometimes of course, you’ll get issues that need a lot of work, but we’ve always worked well and there’s always been, I think – and this is very important – there’s always been parity of esteem. We both respect each other and both institutions, if you like, work on a 50/50 basis.
One of the other good things about working with Navitas is the people, you know, people like Rod, who was one of the first people I met when I first came to Perth, and Scott, and of course Malcolm. These are people I deeply respect. They’re just a joy to work with.
So, if anyone was ever thinking of working with Navitas, I’d say go for it. They’re a fantastic partner.