The Leadership Award recognises CASE member institutional heads, presidents, chancellors, system heads, or other campus chief executive officers for outstanding efforts in promoting and supporting education and institutional advancement.

Professor Dewar is widely respected in Australia’s higher education system. A senior leader in Australian universities for over 20 years, Professor Dewar was appointed Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University in January 2012. He was the Chair of Universities Australia from 2021 to 2023 and a member of the Universities Australia Board from 2016 to 2023. His service to the higher education sector was recognised in 2020 when he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to education through leadership roles in the universities sector, and to professional organisations. Professor Dewar concluded his tenure at La Trobe in December 2023, leaving a long lasting legacy behind him. He now holds the position of Emeritus Professor at La Trobe.

The award was presented on 8 May 2024 at the Asia-Pacific Advancement Conference. Click here to read the full citation.