As Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Registrar), Deidre Anderson’s job is all about helping people. Her responsibility is to ensure that all students and staff at Macquarie have access to an excellent standard of support services.
Deidre Anderson’s passion for supporting students has led to her involvement in development initiatives in Africa.
But her passion for supporting people is not limited to the Macquarie campus. Deidre has extended this passion to a personal commitment to a community in Africa.
As president of her local chapter of the Rotary Club, Deidre has championed a project that is providing vital educational resources in Namibia, with the club funding the construction of a library and community centre in one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country.
The idea was born from a dinner conversation Deidre had with a couple recently returned from Africa.
“In their travels they had met two people who had volunteered to assist in the welfare of young African children who live in what they call the projects,“ Deidre says.
“Over a number of years, the couple ended up sponsoring the kids’ education and [provided] a safe house for them.”
Deidre’s club decided to undertake a similar initiative, so they set about raising funds and engaging local contractors and community members in Namibia.
“It’s important that local people own this project, so that’s why we have clear engagement on the ground”, Deidre notes. “I’m heading [to Namibia] in June to meet local officials and engage all the technical people to do the work.”
Deidre says her passion for supporting education in developing countries is closely tied to her role at Macquarie.
“I’ve been given incredible opportunities because I was [able to] learn and I think education is a basic human right. But in some countries, it’s not.”
“The rewarding part is finding something I can do to help. One conversation is all it takes, it’s amazing.”
Read more about the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Registrar).
