ACADEMIC DEAN
Dr. Megan Y.C.A. Kek - TIIS Academic Dean, her vision of education is about empowering students to fulfil their capabilities, that they learn who they are, and possess the agency to reach their potential, contributing to the well-being of themselves and families, communities, economy, and ultimately, the planet. She holds a PhD in Education (University of Adelaide) focusing on student development and higher education, an MBA majoring in Marketing (Oklahoma City University), a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Management (California State University) and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Humanities (National University of Malaysia).
DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM COORDINATOR (BUSINESS)
Gana Pathmanathan – TIIS Program Development Manager. Starting in a small college just over 20 years ago, Gana developed his skills and knowledge in teaching and learning and later in education management and leadership. His first teaching foray was in the discipline of information technology where he developed skills in the facilitation of the development of technical knowledge. Here he started early on the development of the idea of authentic learning to give students the experience of real-world projects to work on. He also developed course material and assessments setting the stage for a career in curriculum development. Early on in his career he was promoted to the position of head of department and then director of studies. It was in these positions that he developed his management and leadership skills and took an interest in the idea of servant leadership which supported and extended his “students first” philosophy to teaching staff as well. Gana believes that managers are the custodians of their reports’ working life and they must be nurtured as such. Over the succeeding years, Gana moved into the education space of management and leadership and integrated his research on the same with his servant leadership and students first philosophy to drive his career. His areas of interest in teaching and learning include authentic learning, flipped learning, flipped curriculum, and micro and nano credentialing. His areas of interest in management and leadership include; the impact of casualization, servant leadership, and work-life integration.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR (ACCOUNTING)
Dr. Javed Mahmood – TIIS Program Coordinator MPA/MPAA, worked for the University of Tasmania (UTAS) for 5 years. During his stay at UTAS, he had delivered undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in face-to-face, flipped workshops, and online delivery methods. Dr. Mahmood had also worked as an adjunct academic at the Australian National Institute of Management and Commerce (IMC) for two years. Dr. Mahmood has teaching expertise in the areas of Financial Accounting and Management Accounting. He has taught in these areas across postgraduate and undergraduate levels at various universities. The Foundation of University Learning and Teaching unit, he completed at the University of Tasmania enhanced his teaching e ectiveness. His teaching evaluation reports show his quality of teaching as excellent. He was awarded a 'Teaching Excellence Certificate' in 2020. He is also an Associate Fellow of Higher Academy UK. Dr. Mahmood completed his PhD from the University of Tasmania in 2019 'investigating earnings quality and clean surplus principles'. His primary research interests are in learning and teaching accounting with a special focus on accounting measurement and using accounting data in economic modelling. He published research articles in various top-ranked accounting journals. He also took the opportunity to present his research at various international conferences including AFAANZ. Dr. Mahmood is the author of two books. He is currently writing another book about 'Accounting Principles' as well as working on a research project with the other two authors. With regard to the research funding, Dr. Mahmood secured 80,000 dollars a competitive research funding for his PhD. He also secured 5000 dollars a research grant for the AFAANZ conference (2018) and AFAANZ PhD Symposium (2018).
LECTURER
Siddharth Jain – TIIS Adjunct academic, was graduated as a Master of Business Administration and Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced), he is currently pursuing his PhD in Behavioural Accounting and Finance, alongside working for Western Sydney University as an academic. Additionally, Siddharth is also working towards completion of his CPA. He has extensive experience in financial markets and possesses a wide range of econometric and data analysis skills. He has an active engagement in multiple research projects and has publications in Accounting, Finance and Economics disciplines.
LECTURER
Mr. Kwan-Yee Hew - TIIS Adjunct academic, is active in teaching universities (ACU, UTS, WSU, UoW) and other private institutions in Sydney areas since 2006.
LECTURER
Dr. Yega Muthu – TIIS Adjunct academic, teaches Business and Company Law at Institute of International Studies (TIIS). Dr. Muthu used to teach at several other universities in Sydney including University of Technology Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Western Sydney, University of New England and Charles Darwin University. He was educated at the University of Staffordshire, UK (LLB (Hons) 1993) and LLM (Business Law) (1996), Macquarie University (PhD 2004) and UTS (Grad Dip Legal Practice 2006). His PhD degree dealt with judicial scepticism in the realm of medical psychiatry and law - in particular, post traumatic stress disorder suffered by an individual who witnessed a traumatic event. Yega has presented many of his research papers at International Conferences both in Australia and abroad. Dr. Muthu also practices law in Sydney.
LECTURER
Dr Philip Booth – TIIS Adjunct Academic and Senior Lecturer in Management and Leadership. Philip has a First Class Honours degree in Philosophy from Sydney University, a Masters of Environmental Management from the University of NSW, and a PhD in Education for Sustainability from Griffith University in Brisbane. He also has qualifications and skills in Risk Management and Program/Policy Evaluation as a member of the Australasian Evaluation Society. He has vast experiences spanning 40 years as an educator, researcher, curriculum developer, consultant in program and policy evaluation, and project management, ranging from: Principal of an international school in Bali; evaluating and improving environmental education programs in Indonesia, Thailand, and for the Asia-Pacific Management Group in Vietnam; facilitating the inclusion of sustainable design principles in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at UNSW; conducting research into meeting the challenges of Climate Change Adaption in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW; presenting workshops in Sustainability and Climate Change to Local and State governments, Melbourne Water, the Water Corporation of Western Australia, and many community groups; and managing his own landscaping and habitat regeneration business. Since 2018, Philip has been lecturing in Business Research, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, Competitive Strategy, and International Business Across Borders at the Holmes Institute. He draws on all these professional and lived experiences to enrich TIIS students’ academic learning and their understanding of ‘real world’ issues, challenges and solutions.
LECTURER
Kelvin Leung – TIIS Adjunct academic, is currently studying the degree of Doctor of Business Administration on a part-time basis and holds 4 Master degrees and 3 Bachelor degrees. He is a Solicitor and Chartered Accountant in Australia and presently practising as a Solicitor in NSW. Kelvin has over 25 years of professional experience in financial accounting, corporate accounting, management accounting, financial management, business law, corporate law and taxation law. In addition to his professional practice, he has over 10 years of teaching experience in postgraduate and undergraduate accounting and law courses at various universities in Sydney on a sessional and casual basis.
LECTURER
Dr. Mahmoud Bekhit – TIIS Adjunct academic, is currently working as a lecturer at the Institute of International Studies (TIIS) in Accounting stream, and as an Academic at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He is an experienced lecturer, network engineer, and ICT professional with nine years of experience in computer networking, technical projects, and research. His specializations included developing the course structure and accreditation documentation for a Master and Bachelor of Information Technology program and teaching several IT subjects. Bekhit published several research articles in various top-ranked conferences and journals. His primary research interests are software-defined networks, Network Function Virtualization, IoT systems, and Machine learning technology. He received his PhD degree from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, Australia 2020. He got his Master's degree in May 2015 from the Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Hunan, China; and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Suez Canal University (SCU) in Egypt in 2010. In March 2011, he rewarded ICT researcher and assistant lecturer position on the faculty of science, Suez Canal University. In 2012 he achieved a Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) Master’s scholarship, consisting of two parts courses and research. In March 2016, he received an International Research Scholarship (IRS) and UTS President’s Scholarship (UTSP) from UTS to achieve a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
LECTURER
Dr. Mohammad Momeni – TIIS Adjunct academic, has done a PhD in Marketing Management in the University of Wollongong. Having studied in The Middle East and Europe prior to coming to Australia, He has been lecturing for more than 5 years. His field of research is Consumer Behaviour with a focus on movie consumption, consumption practices related to identity, and nostalgia.
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LEARNING CENTRE MANAGER
Dr. Daley Mok – TIIS Learning Centre Manager (Librarian), earned a Doctor of Business Administration with a thesis on corporate governance and has a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Laws (specialising in international business law), and a Master of Information Studies. He is, also, a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA Australia) with 25 years of auditing, accounting and finance experience in Hong Kong, mainland China, Australia and America. His business experience includes being a Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of a US-listed corporation. He is passionate in connecting the academic field with the business world via research interests in corporate governance, corporate financial performance, and information costs.
Marketing Manager
Student Services Officer
Accounts Officer
PROGRAM COORDINATOR (ACCOUNTING)
Chair, Academic Board
Bruce Hayllar was formally a Head of School in the Business School at the University of Technology Sydney (2000- 2009). As Head of School he had responsibility for the development of new undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs within the Faculty. He served on the Academic Board, Promotions Committee and Course Development Committee of the University. At the Faculty level he served on the Dean’s Advisory Committee and the Faculty Board. His research interests focused on the phenomenology of experience in applied contexts. Since his retirement from the university, Dr. Hayllar has worked part-time as an independent consultant; including with TIIS. He was involved with the development of the TIIS Master of Professional Accounting. He has been a member of the Academic Board since 2019 and was appointed Chair in June 2020.
Independent Consultant Deputy Chair, Academic Board
Elizabeth Deane has had over 30 years’ experience in the higher education sector. Her experience spans roles in teaching, research and senior management positions including Foundation Head of a department; Head of School; Dean of Faculty and Pro- Vice Chancellor Education and Students. Elizabeth holds a PhD from the University of Sydney. Since retiring in 2015 Elizabeth has continued her active engagement with the sector. She has undertaken a number of institutional reviews addressing such diverse areas as students support services; governance and IT provision as well as reviews for new applicant higher education private providers. She continues to be an international reviewer for the Scottish, New Zealand and PNG higher education quality assurance agencies. Elizabeth is actively engaged in supporting higher education private providers and is a member or chair of a number of academic and governance boards of existing and aspiring providers.
TIIS Academic Dean
Dr. Megan Y.C.A. Kek - TIIS Academic Dean, her vision of education is about empowering students to fulfil their capabilities, that they learn who they are, and possess the agency to reach their potential, contributing to the well-being of themselves and families, communities, economy, and ultimately, the planet. She holds a PhD in Education (University of Adelaide) focusing on student development and higher education, an MBA majoring in Marketing (Oklahoma City University), a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Management (California State University) and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Humanities (National University of Malaysia). She started her early career in the Malaysian banking sector. Later transitioning to researching entrepreneurship and innovation of SMEs at the Nanyang University of Technology, Singapore. Her interest in developing future-work readiness motivated her to enter the academia. Her contributions to the Australian higher education sector include serving as the Academic Director of the Student Academic and Career Success at UNSW, Associate Director of Student Development and Learning, and Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching Services at USQ. She served as Section Head, Marketing Communications at the Business School, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore. She is most proud of her team’s contribution to education with the Singapore Prime Minister Office’s Enterprise Award for Innovation in Education. She has published papers in high-ranking journals. Most notably, a co-authored Springer monograph, Problem-based Learning into the Future: Imagining an Agile PBL Ecology for Learning, arguing for an educational ecology that can be more humane, agile, and responsive in 2017. A new educational handbook focusing on student support and services will be published by Springer by early 2022.
Executive Director, Governance, CIC - Higher Education
Gerald Ng is the Executive Director, Governance and Quality Assurance at CIC Higher Education where he has oversight of governance processes and is responsible for quality management. Gerald has extensive experience in the higher education sector and has previously held leadership positions at the Australian Institute of Higher Education and Kaplan Australia.
Head, Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand (ACCA)
Company Director of ACCA in Australia and New Zealand. Responsible for over 8,000 members in total. Maurice was previously Head of Education and Learning at ACCA. Prior to joining ACCA, Maurice was responsible for student recruitment and marketing in Asia for the University of NSW Business School for over six years. He has also worked in a variety of roles in the private sector, most recently with the international hotel group, Accor.
Independent
Dr. Michael Seamer recently retired as an Associate Professor in Accounting with the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Newcastle, Australia. At that time, he was serving as the Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning) of the Newcastle Business School and the Director of Undergraduate Programs. Michael completed his PHD in 2009 investigating links between corporate governance and management perpetrated fraud and failures in corporate disclosure. Michael’s current research interests continue to focus on the relationship between effective corporate governance and enhanced firm performance and stakeholder outcomes, with a particular focus on developing economies. His research has been published in several A ranked international journals. An award-winning teacher and PHD supervisor, Michael teaches within the accounting discipline, specialising in taxation studies.
Acting Chair, Course Advisory Committee
Bruce Hayllar was formally a Head of School in the Business School at the University of Technology Sydney (2000- 2009). As Head of School he had responsibility for the development of new undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs within the Faculty. He served on the Academic Board, Promotions Committee and Course Development Committee of the University. At the Faculty level he served on the Dean’s Advisory Committee and the Faculty Board. His research interests focused on the phenomenology of experience in applied contexts. Since his retirement from the university, Dr. Hayllar has worked part-time as an independent consultant; including with TIIS. He was involved with the development of the TIIS Master of Professional Accounting. He has been a member of the Academic Board since 2019 and was appointed Chair in June 2020.
Dean, Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd
Associate Prof. Michael Milgate has broad industry experience centred around academic leadership, curriculum development and academic management for more than 20 years. He has worked with both university and private Higher Education Providers at senior levels; Dean (Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School), Director of Academic Affairs (Le Cordon Bleu) and Academic Director (University of Canberra College) in addition to his current role as Dean, Polytechnic Institute Australia. He has served on multiple boards and committees throughout his career.
Lecturer
Over 20 years experience in the Australian higher education sector. Management and marketing roles in the public and private higher education sectors. For the past six-years sessional academic roles in the areas of Marketing and Management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Experience in the development and implementation of course curriculum in the areas of management and marketing. Demonstrated experience in academic governance and the regulatory environment of higher education.
Program Coordinator MPA/MPAA
Dr. Javed Mahmood – TIIS Program Coordinator MPA/MPAA, worked for the University of Tasmania (UTAS) for 5 years. During his stay at UTAS, he had delivered undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in face-to-face, flipped workshops, and online delivery methods. Dr. Mahmood had also worked as an adjunct academic at the Australian National Institute of Management and Commerce (IMC) for two years. Dr. Mahmood has teaching expertise in the areas of Financial Accounting and Management Accounting. He has taught in these areas across postgraduate and undergraduate levels at various universities. The Foundation of University Learning and Teaching unit, he completed at the University of Tasmania enhanced his teaching e ectiveness. His teaching evaluation reports show his quality of teaching as excellent. He was awarded a 'Teaching Excellence Certificate' in 2020. He is also an Associate Fellow of Higher Academy UK. Dr. Mahmood completed his PhD from the University of Tasmania in 2019 'investigating earnings quality and clean surplus principles'. His primary research interests are in learning and teaching accounting with a special focus on accounting measurement and using accounting data in economic modelling. He published research articles in various top-ranked accounting journals. He also took the opportunity to present his research at various international conferences including AFAANZ. Dr. Mahmood is the author of two books. He is currently writing another book about 'Accounting Principles' as well as working on a research project with the other two authors. With regard to the research funding, Dr. Mahmood secured 80,000 dollars a competitive research funding for his PhD. He also secured 5000 dollars a research grant for the AFAANZ conference (2018) and AFAANZ PhD Symposium (2018).
Chair, Academic Board
