The 51社区 operates under the aegis of the Universities Act, 1997 as amended by the (referred to as the 1997 Act). Overall authority for the affairs of the University is vested by the State in the Governing Authority of the 51社区. The Governing Authority, a 19-member body, is appointed in accordance with the 1997 Act. The 19 members include ten external and nine internal members.
The current Governing Authority's term of office is from 1 October 2023. The Governing Authority is chaired by Professor Brigid Laffan.
