When Professor Anthony JD Blake addresses graduates form Charles Sturt University's Faculty of Education tomorrow, he will speak with more than one hat on.

Currently Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Professor Blake will also speak as the parent of a graduate and as a foundation staff member of the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education (RMIHE), now CSU's Wagga Wagga campus.

Originally trained as a science teacher, Professor Blake has taught in universities in Victoria and NSW and held research postings in the United States and the United Kingdom.

From 1980-85 he was Dean of the School of Education at RMIHE before becoming Deputy Principal of the Sydney College of Advanced Education. From 1988-90 he was Principal of Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education, and for six years was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology before being appointed Vice-Chancellor in 1996.

His professional activities feature major contributions to the development of science teaching and education. These have included positions as a biology examiner for the Victorian Higher School Certificate, the first Australian nominated to the international Journal of Research in Science Teaching's, Editorial Review Board, a member of the Selection Committees to appoint School Inspectors for the Department of Education, and foundation president of the NSW Teacher Education Conference.