Academic Experience

TORRENS UNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA

Professor of IT and Director, AI Research Centre (AIRO)
| 2023 – Present

Key outcomes:

  • Led AI research performance to TEQSA-recognised “Exceeding World Standard” in machine learning (FoR-4611) research
  • Secured strategic industry partnerships and funding with
    • NVIDIA (Academic Partnership)
    • IBM, AWS, Google, Fortinet, CIMIC
  • SEI Global Academic Excellence Award (2024) and
  • Vertical Research Excellence Award (2023).

TORRENS UNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA

Professor & Head of Information Technology Programs
| 2021 – 2025

Key outcomes:

  • Founded and scaled a cross-disciplinary IT & AI portfolio
  • Delivered 2,000+ enrolments and A$30M+ annual revenue
  • Built and led 50+ academic staff across IT, AI, cybersecurity
  • Delivered measurable institutional growths.
    • Enrolments: +336% (438 → 1910)
    • Retention: +13%
    • Success rate: +20%
    • Student satisfaction: +16%
    • Staff culture and engagement: +18%.
  • University Academic Leadership Award (2022)
  • Curriculum Innovation Award (2023)

MELBOURNE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Associate Professor & Associate Head of School (IT & Engineering)
| 2017 – 2021

  • Developed analytics and research degree programs with 7-year TEQSA accreditation with zero conditions
  • Led multi-campus operations (30+ staff, 1,200+ students)
  • Supported ACS and Engineers Australia accreditations
  • Improved student outcomes by 10–20% and increased enrolments by 600+
  • Institutional Leadership Award (2019).

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY

Senior Lecturer & Deputy Head, Computing Systems
| 2001 – 2010

  • Managed over 4000 Computing Students with award-receiving outcomes
  • Co-created a flagship Bachelor of IT program accredited by ACS and EA, increasing enrolments by 2,500+.
  • Led program consolidation improving quality and financial sustainability
  • Secured A$1.2M+ in competitive research funding
  • Supervised HDRs progressing to senior academic and industry leadership roles
  • Faculty Contribution Award (2007).