Prof Cox resigned from the University of Ballarat yesterday, but will take up his new role next March.

News of Prof Cox's departure comes a week after staff rejected a proposed enterprise bargaining agreement.

But Prof Cox, who joined the University of Ballarat as deputy vice-chancellor in September 1997, said his departure was "totally irrelevant" to the vote.

"The easiest thing for me would be to agree to the claims from union officials from Melbourne, turn myself into a hero and leave by fast aircraft for another job," Prof Cox said.

"Our staff deserve a significant pay rise but I don't want to agree to a pay rise which will lead to massive redundancies.

"By 2007, we would have at least one in seven redundancies, and that's unacceptable to me."

Prof Cox has cited workplace relations and a proposal for a medical school as his priorities over the next four months.

University of Ballarat Chancellor, Emeritus Prof Robert Smith, paid tribute to Prof Cox's leadership skills.

"I have enjoyed a cordial and constructive working relationship with him since I became Chancellor earlier this year and I am pleased for him that Edith Cowan University has recognised his formidable leadership and management

talents," Prof Smith said.

Ballarat Mayor David Vendy said Prof Cox was leaving a lasting legacy on Ballarat.

"His choice of senior management was always of the highest quality and that's one of the many legacies he leaves," Cr Vendy said.

Victorian Education Minister Lynne Kosky said she wished Prof Cox well in the future.

"Prof Cox has helped to build the University of Ballarat from a fledgling university into one which is held in good stead on both the national and international stage," she said.

But Trades Hall secretary Graeme Shearer welcomed Prof Cox's departure, saying it raised hopes of securing an enterprise bargaining agreement.

"Negotiations weren't getting anywhere with Prof Cox and he didn't appear to have the total confidence of staff," Mr Shearer said.

National Tertiary Education Union Victorian secretary Matthew McGowan said Prof Cox had a responsibility to put every effort into concluding an agreement, which protected staff conditions and salaries, before he left.

Prof Cox's successor will be considered at a special meeting of the university council on Monday. However, an appointment is not expected for several months.