Professor Bartlett has previously held senior health and social sciences leadership roles at universities in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Australia.

She is currently president and chief executive officer/pro vice chancellor of Monash University in Malaysia, heading an international campus of more than 800 staff and 7000 students.

Prior to that appointment in 2013, Professor Bartlett was pro vice-chancellor and president of the then Monash Gippsland campus.

Professor Bartlett will begin next May, with Professor Andy Smith remaining as acting vice-chancellor in the interim.

Federation University chancellor Dr Paul Hemming said the university was delighted to appoint Professor Bartlett following an international search.

“Professor Bartlett brings extensive experience and understanding of higher education and VET in regional Australia,” Dr Hemming said.

“Her strong strategic and academic leadership has been built on extensive international experience.”

Professor Bartlett said she was honoured to take up the position.

“Federation University Australia has an excellent reputation for its accessible and quality education,” she said.

Professor Bartlett has a doctorate in social policy from the University of Bath and has been the inaugural director of three university research centres.