Deputy Vice Chancellor

Our Client is a non-profit organization to support education within the Malaysian Indian community. It provides education loans to students pursuing higher education to reduce financial barriers. Our Client operates institutions, offering academic and vocational programs. The organization supports community education initiatives, including module development for Tamil schools.

Job Summary:

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (DVC-A) is a key leadership role responsible for setting and driving the academic vision and strategy. The DVC-A oversees the quality of academic programs, curriculum development, research-led teaching, student experience, and accreditation compliance to ensure a leading institution of higher learning.

The role also involves fostering academic excellence, ensuring innovative and industry-aligned curriculum, and working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the universitys reputation. The DVC-A is accountable for the financial sustainability of schools and centres, ensuring their top-line growth and bottom-line efficiency, as expected by shareholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership

1. Provide strategic direction and leadership in all academic matters, ensuring alignment with the universitys mission, vision, and strategic goals.
2. Oversee the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of academic programs across multiple faculties and disciplines.
3. Foster a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and integrity, ensuring high-quality teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
4. Ensure academic programs align with national higher education policies (MQA & MoHE regulations), industry trends, and global academic standards.
5. Promote a research-led teaching approach, integrating faculty research into teaching methodologies.
6. Lead and oversee multi-campus teaching, clinical education, and digital/blended learning strategies.

Curriculum and Programme Development

1. Lead the development, review, and accreditation of academic programs, ensuring they remain relevant and competitive.
2. Collaborate with faculty deans and department heads to ensure effective curriculum implementation and periodic program reviews.
3. Drive new academic program initiatives, including interdisciplinary studies and innovative teaching methods.
4. Ensure the integration of digital and experiential learning methodologies into curricula.

Teaching, Learning, Quality Assurance, and Reputation

1. Oversee teaching and learning policies, including adult and professional learning portfolios, in collaboration with the Vice-Chancellor.
2. Establish and maintain robust academic quality assurance mechanisms to monitor teaching effectiveness, student outcomes, and curriculum relevance.
3. Ensure compliance with local (MQA, MoHE) and international accreditation standards, enhancing  global standing.
4. Implement a continuous improvement culture by promoting academic assessments, peer reviews, and student feedback mechanisms.
5. Coordinate with the Vice-Chancellors Office and the Quality and Improvement Unit to maintain compliance, prepare accreditation submissions, and enhance global ranking indicators.
6. Work with the Schools and International Office to grow international collaborations, credit transfer partnerships, student mobility programs, and international student enrolment.

Research and Innovation

1. Collaborate with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) to promote a research-driven academic environment.
2. Support cross-disciplinary research initiatives, fostering industry and government partnerships.
3. Assist faculty and researchers in securing research funding, grants, and collaborations with international academic institutions.
4. Promote research commercialization opportunities and the integration of research into academic curricula.

Student Experience and Engagement

1. Oversee the development and implementation of student support services that enhance academic success, well-being, and career readiness.
2. Promote student engagement in academic, extracurricular, and co-curricular activities to enrich their university experience.
3. Lead faculty-driven pastoral care, mentoring, and student learning initiatives to reduce attrition and improve graduate employability.
4. Act as a liaison for resolving academic grievances, ensuring timely resolution of student, faculty, and staff concerns.

Financial and Operational Sustainability

1. Oversee the financial performance of academic schools and centres, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
2. Implement cost-effective academic models that enhance revenue generation while maintaining quality.
3. Monitor faculty workload planning, resource allocation, and academic budgeting.
4. Ensure that academic and research initiatives align with institutional financial goals and shareholder expectations.

Key Skills & Competencies:

1. Ability to drive university-wide academic transformation.
2. Strong understanding of higher education pedagogy, accreditation, and quality assurance.
3. Familiarity with MQA, MoHE, and international education policies.
4. Experience in faculty research integration, industry collaborations, and grant management.
5. Ability to foster a holistic learning environment that prioritizes student success.
6. Competence in budgeting, resource planning, and revenue generation for academic institutions.
7. Strong communication skills to collaborate with faculty, students, government agencies, and industry partners.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education:

• PhD or Doctorate in a relevant discipline (Education Management, Business, Science, Technology, or a related field).

• A Masters degree in Higher Education Administration, Public Policy, or Business Administration (MBA) is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in academia, with at least 5-8 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Dean, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, or DVC-Academic).

• Proven experience in curriculum development, accreditation, and research-led teaching strategies.

• Track record of improving university rankings, student success rates, and academic program reputation.

• Experience in managing international collaborations, research funding, and industry partnerships.

• Demonstrated ability to manage financial sustainability for academic programs and research centres.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Academic Excellence & Quality Improvement in university rankings, student satisfaction, and program accreditation success.
• Research & Faculty Development Increase in research funding, publications, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Student Success & Retention Growth in student enrollment, retention, and graduate employability rates.
• Financial Sustainability Growth in revenue-generating programs, cost efficiencies, and faculty resource optimization.
• Regulatory Compliance & Reputation Achievement of accreditation approvals and institutional quality benchmarks.