Peter Varghese

Peter Varghese AO is the director of CARE Australia, and the Chancellor of The University of Queensland. Prior to this appointment, he served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012-2016). Previous senior appointments included High Commissioner to India (2009-2012), High Commissioner to Malaysia (2000-2002), Director-General of the Office of National Assessments (2004-2009), and Senior Advisor (International) to the Prime Minister of Australia (2003-2004). Peter Varghese was the author of a comprehensive India Economic Strategy to 2035 commissioned by the Australian Prime Minister and submitted in July 2018.

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Peter was educated at The University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a University Medal in history in 1978. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from The University of Queensland in 2013.

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Peter chairs The Advisory Council of Asialink, a body committed to deeper engagement with Asia, and also sits on the governing board of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.