New appointments: Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus President
Helen Bartlett and Robin Pollard
Professors Helen Bartlett and Robin Pollard will take on the unique challenges of one another’s roles after being respectively appointed the Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Sunway Campus Malaysia) and the Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Gippsland).
Current Gippsland head, Professor Bartlett, and her counterpart in Malaysia, Professor Pollard, will take on their new positions from 1 January 2013. Monash Vice-Chancellor and President Ed Byrne announced the appointments today, following University Council approval.
Professor Byrne said both incoming Campus Presidents will make introductory visits to their new campuses over the next few months as part of transition arrangements.
"I am delighted that Professor Bartlett and Professor Pollard have agreed to take up new opportunities within the Monash family and that we will be able to retain their experience and continue to utilise their expertise," Professor Byrne said.
"I believe there will be significant personal and University benefit in this exchange of positions as they each endeavour to build upon the impressive contribution they have made to Monash.”
Professor Bartlett said it had been a privilege to work in the Gippsland community and lead the campus through a period of significant change.
“I will miss my colleagues who have impressed me with their dedication and teamwork. In Malaysia, I expect to build on the success of the Sunway Campus, with a focus on research capacity development, regional engagement and program innovation."
Professor Pollard said he was looking forward to joining the Gippsland campus and regional community.
"This change comes at an exciting time. The university is looking to empower staff at the campus through changes in structures and processes. This enables a new collegial approach, whereby the campus can better meet the needs of regional and online stakeholders."
Mr Lee Weng Keng, CEO Education & Healthcare Division, Sunway Group echoed the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments.
"Under the direction of Professor Pollard the Monash University Sunway Campus has grown not only in terms of student and staff numbers but also in terms of quality. I am sure that Professor Bartlett’s previous experience of working in Asia can only serve to reinforce the upward trajectory of the campus and I look forward to working with her,” Mr Lee said.
Professor Bartlett commenced her appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Gippsland) in 2008. During that time, Professor Bartlett has significantly increased the academic leadership at the campus, creating a strong professoriate and establishing a number of regionally relevant research initiatives. She has built strong government, industry and community partnerships, including a major agreement with the Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE and an innovative community health education pathway with two Gippsland TAFEs and industry.
Professor Bartlett has worked closely with the Victorian government and other key stakeholders to develop tertiary education plans for Gippsland and has made an important contribution to shaping future policy directions for the region. Professor Bartlett has had an international career with extensive previous senior leadership experience with universities in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia.
Since 2007, Professor Pollard has performed the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Sunway Campus Malaysia). During his time in Malaysia, Professor Pollard has made significant progress in improving the overall effectiveness of the campus. It continues to develop and prosper under his leadership and he has maintained his commitment to academic strengthening and improving the efficiency of support services. In particular, the research output of academic staff has increased, student intake continues to expand, the staff attitude survey yielded positive results, and student satisfaction scores are high. He has also worked in universities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and Great Britain and therefore has experience in working with a variety of communities including those in a regional setting.