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Management
Senior Executives
Mr. Ian Watt
President of AIFE and Board Member
Iain Watt has 20 years’ experience in senior leadership roles at three different Australian universities, most recently as DVC International at UTS. He also spent eight years as senior education representative at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. He reads, speaks and types Chinese.
Dr. Ian Burnett
Provost
Ian Burnett has over 30 years of experience across three different Australian universities. His career began as a Lecturer in Engineering, followed by 8 years as a Dean of Engineering and IT. Most recently, he has served as Deputy Vice Chancellor for STEM. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in Engineering and broader STEM education, with a focus on international collaborations in China and Southeast Asia.
Mr. Rob Wilson
Deputy Vice President
Rob Wilson is an experienced university leader specialising in international education, student engagement, and academic partnerships. Formerly at the University of Tasmania, he successfully let international strategy and growth and has UK leadership experience with Coventry University. He brings a collaborative approach and sector expertise to his new role at AIFE, focusing on student recruitment, engagement and aligning academic and student success efforts.
Management
Senior Executives
Mr. Ian Watt
President of AIFE and Board Member
Iain Watt has 20 years’ experience in senior leadership roles at three different Australian universities, most recently as DVC International at UTS. He also spent eight years as senior education representative at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. He reads, speaks and types Chinese.
Dr. Ian Burnett
Provost
Ian Burnett has over 30 years of experience across three different Australian universities. His career began as a Lecturer in Engineering, followed by 8 years as a Dean of Engineering and IT. Most recently, he has served as Deputy Vice Chancellor for STEM. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in Engineering and broader STEM education, with a focus on international collaborations in China and Southeast Asia.
Ms. Ainslie Moore
Executive Director
Ainslie Moore leads the external engagement team for AIFE. She has over 20 years’ experience in international education in roles in universities, government, industry and private enterprise across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Ainslie holds degrees in communications and public policy and is an IEAA senior fellow.
Ms. Riya Chandarana
Executive Director
Riya Chandarana is an education executive with extensive experience across Australia’s VET and higher-education sectors. She leads governance, compliance, and quality initiatives that foster innovative learning pathways and institutional excellence across the Group.
A. Professor Hugh John Leong
Dean of College of Academic Language and Member of the Board
Associate Professor Hugh Jogn Leong is Associate Executive Dean of the Graduate Institute and Dean of CAL at AIFE, overseeing academic quality, teacher development, and transnational education. Previously, he was Head of the School of Design & Arts at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, developing programs and securing major research collaborations with UNICEF and the Sarawak Ministry of Education. His research focuses on assessment, student engagement, and transnational education policy.
Mr. Rob Wilson
Deputy Vice President
Rob Wilson is an experienced university leader specialising in international education, student engagement, and academic partnerships. Formerly at the University of Tasmania, he successfully let international strategy and growth and has UK leadership experience with Coventry University. He brings a collaborative approach and sector expertise to his new role at AIFE, focusing on student recruitment, engagement and aligning academic and student success efforts.
Ms. Joanne Tripper
Professor Joanne Tippe is an experienced academic leader with over 30 years of experience at Institutions such as RMIT University, UTS, and the University of Leeds. As Executive Dean – Academic at AIFE, she will oversee global teaching strategies, academic governance, and student-focused learning, guiding the universities curriculum, pedagogies, and academic direction to support its growth and adaptability.
Management
Academic Board
E. Professor Mike Kyrios
Chair of Academic Board
Emeritus Professor Mike Kyrios is dedicated to academic excellence, serving as Vice President (Quality and Compliance) at AEMG and chairing the Academic Senate at AIFE. He has held key academic and leadership roles across Australian universities, including honorary positions nationally and internationally. A distinguished researcher, he has secured over $34 million in funding and ranks among the 0.5% globally in his field.
Professor Bruce Calway
Non-Independent cognate
Bruce Calway has a 50-year career spanning Higher Education and ICT and is now serving as a non-Executive Director of AEMG Education. He has held senior roles across various sectors, including university dean positions, CEO, and executive director roles. Recognised as a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society and holding two doctorates in Informatics and Higher Education, Bruce has contributed significantly to both industries, with numerous publications and national awards for his higher education contributions.
E. Professor Toni Makkai
Member of the Board
Toni Makkai is an independent AIFE academic board member with expertise in governance, higher education, and research. She has served as a former Dean at the Australian National University, CEO of the Australian Institute of Criminology, non-executive director of the Social Research Centre, and holds a qualification from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was honoured with the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2021 for significant contributions to tertiary education and public administration.
Professor Zili Zhang
Member of the Board
Zili Zhang is the Chair of the Academic Board at Southwest University and Director of the Advanced Data Centre in Chongqing. With over 200 publications and 8 textbooks, he has secured more than 40 grants in China and Australia. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and knowledge graphs.