Take the lead in education and student success at a world-class university campus in Asia
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The core vision of Monash University Malaysia’s education portfolio is to serve as Monash University’s platform for education excellence and innovation in Southeast Asia. Monash Malaysia is committed to transforming the educational experience of its educators and students by adopting innovative approaches to pedagogy, technology and campus design.
The Vice President (Education) takes the lead at Monash University Malaysia to creatively disrupt education and ensure that the cogs are always turning to keep education fresh, innovative, and relevant for students. This is achieved through a portfolio that includes the Education Excellence Unit, School of Pathways and Immersion, Education and Training Academy and Library and Learning Commons, and in partnership and collaboration with the academic schools of Monash University Malaysia, and more broadly with the Faculties and central learning and teaching and student experience of the Monash global network.
The learning and teaching experience at Monash University Malaysia is oriented towards industry engagement and active learning and a modern, competency-based assessment.
As part of the senior leadership team of Monash University Malaysia, the Vice President (Education) reports directly to the President and Pro Vice-Chancellor and leads a comprehensive strategy for education excellence and innovation and the student experience to support the goals of Monash University Malaysia.
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
Monash University is a modern, global, research-intensive university, delivering education and research excellence in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific. The University is making a positive impact on today’s global challenges – whether by mitigating climate change, easing geopolitical insecurity or fostering healthy communities. Monash University is Australia’s largest university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, a group of Australia’s eight leading research universities. We have been consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, at 37th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 54th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024, reflecting a strong commitment to academic and research excellence.
Monash University is a global university with four campuses in Australia and a campus in Malaysia and Indonesia. In India, Monash Research Academy is a postgraduate research and PhD training partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, whilst Monash-Suzhou is a partnership between Monash University and Southeast University focused on world-class research and training in China. The Monash University Prato Centre meanwhile provides a European base for international research and education. Additionally, Monash has extensive international partnerships and study abroad programs with more than 100+ partner universities around the world.
Established in 1998, Monash University Malaysia is Monash’s third-largest campus and one of Malaysia’s most respected higher education institutions. More than 9,700 students representing approximately 77 nationalities are currently enrolled at Monash Malaysia, and they enjoy a quality study experience supported by committed staff members. Monash University Malaysia places a strong emphasis on student experience and strives to produce graduates who can lead and contribute to their local and regional communities. Monash University Malaysia graduates can be found in positions of importance all over the world. Since welcoming the first cohort of 417 students, Monash University Malaysia has graduated more than 27,500 students, including 800 PhDs.
Monash University Malaysia takes pride in educational excellence, offering degrees in arts and social sciences, business, engineering, information technology, medicine, psychology and health sciences, pharmacy, and science across seven schools. New courses in emerging areas, including artificial intelligence, data science, digital business and pharmaceutical science, expand the range of internationally-recognised degrees for a changing world. The University invests in constantly upgrading its facilities to incorporate cutting-edge teaching and learning technology to enhance students’ and staff’s experience.
In line with Monash University’s strategic plan, Impact 2030, research at Monash University Malaysia focuses on issues of national and global significance.
The University strives to formulate and implement solutions that could mitigate the effects of climate change, promote geopolitical security in the ASEAN region and improve health and wellbeing to enable communities to thrive. Monash University Malaysia research projects and researchers are making long-term and sustainable impact across health, economics, policy, technology, the environment and society at large. Monash University Malaysia also offers a broad range of world-class infrastructure and services to support the needs of the research community and industry.
Monash University Malaysia campus is located in Greater Kuala Lumpur, one of the region’s industrial hotspots. The University sits in the heart of the rapidly developing economic corridor linking Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and beyond. Monash University Malaysia education and research are oriented towards deep engagement with this dynamic socio-economic and industrial landscape.
Monash University Malaysia is committed to delivering quality education and research to address the global challenges of our time, and it has ambitious plans to reach its goals. Monash University Malaysia invites you to join and make a positive difference for the betterment of communities worldwide.
For further information, please visit www.monash.edu.my
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The right candidate for this role will enhance Monash University Malaysia’s standing as a leader of the transformative power of higher education, within a rapidly changing operating environment. The ideal candidate has a terminal degree and an outstanding record of success at directing and successfully influencing change across portfolios, and at scale, to enhance student outcomes, ideally in a transnational higher education setting. To ensure success in the role, the right person will bring vision, commitment and collaboration to continue a progressive outlook and capacity development for high performance in education and student support. They can enhance both program provision and campus culture in a complex, multinational higher education context, and use data and evidence to advocate and bring pragmatic solutions to old and emerging challenges and opportunities. Academic and strategic leadership, highly capable resources management and the ability to operationalise strategies to deliver on organisational goals are essential. An entrepreneurial orientation and understanding of the needs of students, educators and graduate employers in Southeast Asia would also be a benefit.
TO LEARN MORE, AND TO APPLY
The University has engaged global academic search firm De Sailly Search to handle the recruitment process. To learn more about the opportunity, candidates are encouraged to make a confidential enquiry via email to Dr Rosalind De Sailly and Dr Santi Dharmaputra, at MUM_VPEd@desailly.com.au
Applications are to be sent via email to the address above, and must include:
- a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position and an introduction to your vision as Vice-President (Education);
- a criteria statement of no more than four pages, systematically addressing the selection criteria listed in the position description;
- a full CV;
- names and contact details of five referees. Nominated referees are to include at least two who have been at a peer level or above at your organisation within the past two years, and at least one past supervisor within the past two years.
Referees are not contacted without prior consultation with applicants.
Further information for prospective candidates
The virtual campus tour of Monash University Malaysia includes the campus neighbourhood and education and other facilities.
Monash University Malaysia is in Sunway City in the state of Selangor, about 20 kilometres south west of the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur and only minutes away from the city of Petaling. The town has gained a reputation as Selangor’s higher education hub.
Singapore is only 28 minutes away by plane and four hours by car, Thailand just one hour by plane and eight hours by car, and Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal, an easy 45-minute drive.
More about the campus location in Sunway City is available on the Monash University website here.
Living in Greater Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, commonly known as “KL”, is a modern, multicultural city that values its traditions. The rich living heritage of Malaysia’s European, Chinese, Malay and Indian populations and influences contributes to its famous street food.
Expatriates rate Kuala Lumpur in the world’s top ten cities for its local friendliness, affordable quality housing, quality of life, healthcare, culture and ease of settling in — helped, no doubt, by the fact that English is widely spoken and known as the city’s second language. InterNations, the largest global community for people who live and work abroad, found in its survey that international living in Malaysia valued its quality of life, citing environment and climate, safety and security, and finding friends as some of the country’s top-rating benefits and that working abroad in Malaysia ranked highly for its career prospects, salary, work life balance, personal finance, and for work culture and satisfaction (source: Expat Insider 2022, and 2023).
Malaysia is central member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and has close cultural and other ties to neighbouring ASEAN nations, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines and Vietnam.
Living in KL puts all these countries within easy reach, with European cities just a few hours away. People in Malaysia love the leisure and travel options, from exploring ancient rainforests and many of the world’s top beaches, to cultural and art tourism.
