Professor Thompson-Whiteside brings extensive leadership experience in higher education across Australia, Asia, and the United Kingdom. His impressive record spans academic governance, enhancing the student experience, and promoting research excellence.
Prior to joining RMIT Vietnam, he held several senior leadership positions. These include Dean at Torrens university (Australia), Pro Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), and Dean at Swinburne university of Technology (Australia), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Limkokwing university of Creative Technology (Malaysia).
In each role, he demonstrated a progressive approach to student recruitment and retention, while also focusing on enhancing the student experience. He also prioritized research improvement and elevating the reputation and rankings of each institution.
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Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside, the new president of RMIT university Vietnam. Photo: RMIT |
Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside, the new president of RMIT university Vietnam. Photo: RMIT
Professor Thompson-Whiteside's leadership extends to strategic planning and a commitment to effective governance and operations. He has guided faculties and universities in adopting innovative teaching methods, blending online and integrated learning models, and emphasizing practical learning experiences with industry-relevant assessments.
The new president holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education from the university of Melbourne. His research focused on academic standards and quality in the context of internationalization and massification of higher education. With his distinguished career in academia and higher education management, he is expected to lead RMIT university Vietnam into a new phase of growth.
"I look forward to collaborating with the talented and dedicated staff here to continue delivering high-quality education and research, making a real impact in Vietnam and beyond," Professor Thompson-Whiteside said.
His appointment coincides with RMIT Vietnam's 25th anniversary of providing international education in Vietnam. The university is poised to implement several promising plans for the future.
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RMIT Vietnam prepares for its 25th-anniversary celebrations. Photo: RMIT |
RMIT Vietnam prepares for its 25th-anniversary celebrations. Photo: RMIT
During his first week, he emphasized the importance of listening to faculty and students, understanding the local context, and building a future-ready university. He highlighted innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement.
"We are here to serve the community, students, and businesses," he said. "This is the message I conveyed to the People's Committee of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in recent meetings. We aim to collaborate with all levels of government to enhance human resource capacity and contribute to Vietnam's socio-economic development."
Since its establishment in 2000, RMIT university Vietnam has become a leading international university, committed to contributing to Vietnam's development through education, research, and industry partnerships. After 25 years, it has built a community of over 12,000 students, 1,300 faculty and staff, and nearly 25,500 alumni.
Looking ahead, the university plans to continue making a profound and lasting impact on Vietnamese education by empowering learners, supporting businesses, and shaping the future of education.
Nhat Le
