Former UOW Chief's Testimony Reveals Systemic Conflicts in University Governance

John Dewar's appearance before a NSW inquiry highlights the blurring lines between university leadership and private consultancy

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:12am

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A minimalist studio still life featuring a stack of university textbooks, a laptop, and a pen resting on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the complex issues of corporate strategy and change management in higher education.A university governance crisis exposes the delicate balance between academic integrity and the influence of private consultants.Enid Today

Former University of Wollongong (UOW) chief John Dewar's testimony before a NSW parliamentary inquiry has shed light on the complex web of integrity, external advice, and the optics of influence in higher education governance. Dewar's acknowledgment of a 'perception of a conflict of interest' due to his past ties to consulting firm KordaMentha, which was swiftly invited to tender for a $3.8 million operational review just days after he took the helm, has raised broader questions about the role of private consultants in shaping university reforms.

Why it matters

This episode reveals systemic incentives and structural shifts in higher education, where universities increasingly outsource substantial reviews and reforms to external firms. The risk is that leadership becomes a bridge for private consultants to access institutional leverage, while the university benefits from specialized expertise but faces questions about impartiality and transparency.

The details

Dewar's eight-month tenure, including one day per fortnight with KordaMentha while supposedly leading UOW's transformation, has exposed the human cost of consultant-driven change programs in academia. Staff fatigue and 'chaos' described by union voices highlight a mismatch between leadership's stated goals and the lived experience of frontline workers implementing these plans.

  • Dewar took the UOW chief role in late 2025.
  • Just days after Dewar's appointment, KordaMentha was invited to tender for a $3.8 million operational review at UOW.
  • Dewar acknowledged a 'perception of a conflict of interest' due to his past ties with KordaMentha.

The players

John Dewar

Former chief of the University of Wollongong (UOW).

KordaMentha

A consulting firm that was invited to tender for a $3.8 million operational review at UOW just days after Dewar's appointment as chief.

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What’s next

The NSW parliamentary inquiry is expected to continue examining the governance issues surrounding the UOW operational review and Dewar's role.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for universities to establish robust, rules-based separations between governance roles and external engagement, ensuring that perception of conflicts of interest is addressed as a vital governance issue. Sustainable change in higher education requires a stronger focus on transparency, staff wellbeing, and aligning reforms with the institution's core mission.