Western Sydney University welcomes new Dean of Health Sciences

Western Sydney University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nalini Pather as the new Dean of the School of Health Sciences within the Faculty of Health.

Professor Pather joins Western with more than 25 years of leadership experience in health professional education across Australia and internationally. She has extensive experience in driving educational innovation, curriculum transformation, and initiatives that enhance equity, access, and student success.

Most recently, Professor Pather served as the Mayne Professor and Director of Medical Education at the University of Queensland, where she has led major initiatives, including the implementation of a transnational MD program across Australia and the United States.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Professor Sarah Lewis, warmly welcomed Professor Pather to her role.

“I am delighted to announce that Professor Nalini Pather will soon join the University as the new Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Having previously held this role myself, I am confident she will continue to shape the next chapter of the School with clarity, purpose, and impact,” said Professor Lewis.

Prior to her work at the University of Queensland, Professor Pather held several senior leadership roles at UNSW, including Associate Dean, Education Innovation. In this role, she led curriculum and digital transformation across four schools within the Faculty of Medicine and Health, supported the design and implementation of new health sciences programs, and oversaw the education technology portfolio. As Director and Fellow of the Scientia Education Academy, she co-developed educator leadership pathways that recognised teaching excellence alongside research, strengthening capability across the institution.

Professor Pather began her academic career at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. As a first-in-family university graduate, she taught across a range of health disciplines, led the Macro-Anatomy Division, and helped shape the country’s first graduate-entry medical program.

Professor Lewis highlighted Professor Pather’s commitment to equity and access to education, and to the powerful role universities can play in changing lives and communities.

“As Faculty Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity at UNSW, Nalini advanced inclusive education practices and led initiatives supporting student success, including for first-generation, culturally and linguistically diverse, and financially disadvantaged students. I know she will champion these principles at Western,” said Professor Lewis.

Professor Pather’s contributions to higher education have been recognised through national and international awards, including the Australian Award for University Teaching. She continues to contribute to the sector through leadership roles with several professional education bodies.

ENDS.

20 March 2026
Media Unit