Accomplished executive leader and aged care expert Professor Helen Bartlett has commenced work today as USC’s third Vice-Chancellor and President.

Professor Bartlett was previously Vice-Chancellor and President of Federation University Australia and has enjoyed a distinguished career in academia and university management across Australia, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

She is an internationally recognised scholar in gerontology and, during a period at the University of Queensland, established the Australasian Centre on Ageing.

As the current chair of the Regional Universities Network, she has been a strong advocate for more government-funded university places in regional Australia and greater investment in research and research infrastructure to address regional challenges.

Professor Bartlett has taken over the reins of USC following the retirement of Professor Greg Hill, who had been Vice-Chancellor and President for the past 10 years.

She said she was impressed by USC’s strategic goal of building capacity in its various regions and was looking forward to visiting the University’s Queensland campuses from Moreton Bay to the Fraser Coast.

“Through the COVID-19 crisis, regional universities including USC have proven their value to their communities, helping bolster and restore community resilience and providing a focal point for rebuilding economic prosperity,” she said.

“USC has used the restrictions of COVID-19 to revitalise its teaching and research, significantly expanding the accessibility of its study programs through technology and continuing to make advances in its research program despite limitations to travel.

“The multi-campus nature of USC means we can work closely with our local communities and the University’s programs can be tailored to meet their needs,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to building up our new campus at Moreton Bay, which is clearly already filling a need in that community, as well as working closely with our community, industry and business partners in the Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast and Gympie.

“There’s an enormous satisfaction that comes with widening access to higher education across regional Australia and developing programs that respond to local needs.”