Order of Merit (Portugal), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Wollongong and Executive Director of UOWGE Professor Joe Chicharo OM, is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Wollongong. He joined the University of Wollongong in 1985 as a Lecturer within the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering. Prior to this appointment Joe spent ten years working in the steel industry (BHP). He has a distinguished academic and research track record having published over 200 refereed papers in prestigious journals and conferences. His research contributions are well cited and he has been the recipient of a number of best paper prizes such as the IEEE. He has been highly successful in attracting nationally competitive research grants as well as substantial industry sponsorship for research work at UOW. Professor Joe Chicharo was awarded an Order of Merit (Portugal) (OM) in the 2007 Honours list to honour distinguished services in the public and private sphere. Current roles and responsibilities within UOWGE are: Director of the UOW Global Enterprises Board Director of the UOWD Ltd Board Chair of the UOWD Academic Board Member of the UOWD External Advisory Council Member of the UOWCHK Board of Governors