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The chancellor of the Australian National University, Julie Bishop, has made a strong defence of ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell's role with Intel Corporation. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The main union at the ANU had said there was a potential conflict of interest because Professor Bell was a vice-president and a senior fellow at Intel Corporation. She severed the link in November. In September, Intel won a US$3.5 billion (A$5.6 billion) contract to manufacture computer chips for the US military. "The involvement of ANU's vice-chancellor with Intel thus raises significant questions around potential implications under Australia's tight laws on foreign interference and defence security," a letter signed by the leadership of the National Tertiary Education Union to Education Minister Jason Clare said. But the ANU chancellor has written to the university's governing council saying the links with the American corporation were well-known - and, indeed, an asset for the university. "We considered her ongoing association would continue to enhance her international profile and networks for the benefit of ANU," Ms Bishop wrote to her fellow ANU council members. "I was, and remain satisfied, that it was appropriate for the vice-chancellor to maintain her association with Intel, given the limited nature of the role, the due diligence I had undertaken on behalf of the council, and her ongoing commitment to abide by the disclosure requirements." But the Australian Financial Review reported last week that members of the ANU's "governing body say they have no recollection of an agreement for new vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell to continue working for global technology company Intel ever being mentioned". Ms Bishop said in her letter to the ANU council that the committee that appointed Professor Bell to the vice-chancellorship was aware of the Intel link. "Professor Bell's role at Intel was disclosed in detail to that committee, was prominent in her CV, her written application and the candidate report, and was discussed during her presentations to the committee." Vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell, left, and chancellor Julie Bishop. Pictures by Gary Ramage, Sitthixay Ditthaovng The role of chancellor and vice-chancellor of universities, including the ANU, is often likened to that of the chairperson of a company board and the chief executive. They are equals who work in tandem. Both have been embattled recently as the ANU tries to get its deficit of spending over income down, including through making staff redundant . Professor Bell took a 10 per cent cut to her salary of just over $1 million dollars as part of the measures to reduce ANU's ongoing costs by $250 million by early 2026. But a plea to staff to forego a pay-rise was rejected by the staff. Ms Bishop, a former federal Liberal minister, was criticised for the blunt way she portrayed the cuts as staff prepared to vote. Some at the university thought her response hardened staff attitudes. She was asked by The Canberra Times if it was fair of the university to ask staff to give up their pay rises when they believed they had not caused its financial problems. "It depends to whom you refer," Ms Bishop replied, "because many members of staff have been part of the inefficiencies that the university is now seeking to address." On Tuesday last week, a group of ANU alumni wrote to the Australian National Audit Office , stating it had "extensively consulted with ANU alumni and staff". "In view of the crisis engulfing the ANU, we request, that as a matter of urgency, the Australian National Audit Office undertake a financial audit and an audit of the governance of the ANU," the letter said. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Steve Evans Reporter Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues." Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues." 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