Faculty

	Professor John Grainger Pro-Vice Chancellor/ Murdoch University Dubai President/ Global Institute Middle East FZ LLC Professor John Grainger, as a graduate of Murdoch Perth, Western Australia, is delighted to lead a team of educational professionals in offering a range of internationally accredited Australian degrees in Dubai. These educational opportunities truly represent the ethos, high standards, and unequivocal calibre of degrees offered by Murdoch University in Australia. Professor Grainger earned degrees in Psychology and Education prior to gaining his MBA and his Doctorate in Business Administration. He has a long and distinguished career within the international information dissemination industry, as a professional writer and publisher; a successful business leader; an IT consultant; a teacher and an academic in Australia, the United Kingdom and Singapore, before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2002. He describes life in the UAE, and Dubai in particular, as “energizing, stimulating and very fulfilling” and reflects that “the opportunity to help grow an Australian university of international reputation, within the context of the UAE is a professional and personal dream come true.” He is enthusiastic about Murdoch University’s role in offering genuine and authentic learning opportunities to young people in the Emirates, specifically crafted to develop the skills, experience and expertise which will empower them to take on their future role as leaders in the local and global business community. Professor Grainger is passionate about teaching, and he has considerable experience in most areas of business education with particular expertise in Strategic Management, Leadership and Motivation, Entrepreneurship, Educational Technology, Knowledge Management, Information Technology and Environmental Sustainability. He is also a strong advocate of student-focused and authentic learning experiences, whereby students learn by active rather than passive engagement - pedagogical techniques perfected by Murdoch University over its three decade history. He is enthusiastic about the role of technology in improving the learning process and is himself a dedicated life-long learner. Message from the Pro-Vice Chancellor E-mail: john.grainger@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Daniel Adkins Academic Director/ Murdoch University Dubai Executive Vice President/ Global Institute Middle East FZ LLC Dan joined Murdoch University in November 2009 to teach in the Foundation and Business programmes. Born in the United States, Dan began his career working in the information technology industry. During his time in the IT industry he performed IT services for companies including IBM, Dell, Clorox, Philips, Hershey’s, Coca-Cola, Merck, and VISA. Over the course of 20 years, Dan held numerous management positions, including CIO and CEO. Before coming to the UAE he worked extensively in the United States, India, Vietnam, the UK, and the Philippines. He has taught IT professionals in various disciplines including project management, quality management, and leadership skills. After founding an international school in India, he moved to the UAE in 2007 to return to his passions; teaching and lifelong learning. Dan holds an MBA from Herriot-Watt University and has received professional certifications in project management, quality assurance, and TEFL. He has lectured at the university level in IT, economics, accounting, and law and at the secondary level in business studies, English, law, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology. Email: daniel.adkins@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Johan Claasen Academic Director – School of Media Communication and Culture/ Murdoch University Dubai Johan Claasen hails from South Africa where he honed his journalistic skills over three decades in print, radio and television news. Johan holds a BA (Ed) from the University of Johannesburg. He also completed an intensive Television Production and Reporting course at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg. This course was presented in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He is currently enrolled in an MPhil (Journalism) program at the University of Stellenbosch. Johan started his career as a journalist in 1980 while studying for his first degree. This was followed by a short stint as a teacher before reverting back to journalism. In 1984 he joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a radio news reporter. This set him on the road for a career in broadcast journalism. He served in several capacities, such as producer and editor of one of the SABC's national radio news and actuality programmes, radio correspondent in Bonn ('West' Germany), national input-editor of TV news, regional news editor, and specialist parliamentary reporter. In the late eighties, Johan jointly received the SABC’s coveted Artes Award for Best Investigative Journalism (Radio). In later years, Johan became founder employee of Punt Geselsradio, South Africa's first talk radio station in the Afrikaans language. In his capacity as the station's Regional News Editor in Cape Town, he hosted his own talkback show on socio-political issues and the media industry. Before embarking on a search for new career opportunities in the UAE, Johan spent four years at academic institutions in Cape Town and Stellenbosch where he lectured in Journalism, Media Studies, Communication Science and Public Relations. His passion lies in media. In relying on his experience, he strives to contribute towards keeping Murdoch at the forefront of quality education and training. E-mail: johan.claasen@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Dr. Rhiannon Talbot Program Coordinator – School of Education Academic Services Dr Rhiannon Talbot is an honours graduate from the University of Lancaster (UK), holds a doctorate from the University of Warwick (UK) and a postgraduate diploma in teaching, from the University of Newcastle (UK). In her academic career she has taught in both the University of Warwick and the University of Newcastle. She has over two dozen publications in a wide range of sectors ranging from international peer reviewed academic journals, newspapers, book chapters, edited collections to magazines. She has extensive media experience having undertaken work with the BBC and appeared on programmes such as BBC1 the Politics show, Radio 4 and Radio 5. She is also a qualified TEFL teacher and has previously worked in post-communist Czechoslovakia (now the Slovak Republic). She took a short career break from academic teaching from 2006-2008 where she lived in rural India and undertook charitable work with local schools. Email: rhiannon.talbot@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Cristina Popa Foundation Program Coordinator and lecturer Cristina Popa holds a Masters of Education from Murdoch University and a Bachelors of Mathematics, with a concentration in Applied Mathematics from Al. I. Cuza University, Romania and a Master of Education from Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia. Her expertise also encompasses the fields of psychology, pedagogy and methodology of mathematics teaching. Cristina taught Mathematics and IT for three years in Romania and later established a career as a Certified Accountant in Perth, Western Australia, where she was also honoured with ‘The Award of Excellence’ from Career People, Perth. In addition to her degrees Cristina also holds a Certification in ESL. Cristina has been with Murdoch University since May 2009 as a lecturer in Mathematics, Statistics, Accounting, Quatitative methods for business and Economics, Communications, and Information Technology. Cristina coordinates the day-to-day operations of the foundation programme. Email: cristina.popa@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Silvia Lindsay Program Coordinator and lecturer – School of Environmental Management and Sustainability Silvia Lindsay holds a degree in environmental science from Alcala University in Madrid (Spain) and a Master’s degree in waste management from Glasgow Caledonian University (UK). She is a member of the Chartered Institution of Waste Management in the UK. Silvia brings to Murdoch University her enthusiasm and genuine passion for the environment. She has 8 years of international experience in environmental management projects, focussing on waste management and climate change. She has worked for different private consultancies in a wide variety of projects in Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. She also has teaching and mentoring experience at Glasgow Caledonian University (UK) and she was the University’s Magnus Magnusson Award winner (2009) which helped to finance her participation in a voluntary environmental project in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Silvia is delighted to be coordinating the environmental management program and teaching environmental management and sustainable development at Murdoch University in Dubai as she believes that the UAE is taking decisive steps towards more sustainable development. Email: silvia.lindsay@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Wayne Muller Program Coordinator and Lecturer– School of IT Academic Services (School of IT, Foundation) Wayne joined Murdoch University in August 2010 to teach in the MUPC and Information Technology programs. Wayne holds a BSc degree from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He has taught IT at the tertiary level for the past 10 years, specialising in end user computing, information system management, system analysis and design, and basic programming. Wayne has also completed several short courses including Visual Basic programming and a Certificate in Computer Technology in order to stay up to date with the fast changing landscape of Information Technology. Wayne strongly believes that computers are one of the most powerful tools in modern society and is passionate about using computers as a teaching tool. Wayne coordinates the day-to-day operations of the IT programme. Email: wayne.muller@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Saritha Krishnakumar Acting Program coordinator – Undergraduate Studies/ Murdoch Business School Academic Services (Murdoch Business School) Saritha hails from India, having graduated from the Mahatma Gandhi University in Law. She went on to do her Masters in Law at Cochin University of Science and Technology, where she specialised in Environment and Consumer Law. Presently doing her PhD, her research concentrates on how the emigration law protects human rights of people going abroad. It tries to analyse the drawbacks of the existing emigration laws of India and suggest solutions to the issue. Saritha has been living in Dubai for the past five years during which she has acquired experience teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students in universities. Her main areas of teaching concentrate on Law, Industrial Relations, Environmental Management and Tourism. She has joined Murdoch University as lecturer of Law and teaches law units in the MBA, MHRM, Media and Environmental Law units. She is very passionate about teaching. Teaching Law in a foreign country gives her ample opportunity to interact with the students on a higher level. It also allows her to learn their views about legal systems of many countries; how to develop a critical attitude and instil a sense of justice as part of their values system. Email: saritha.kumar@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Mahima Mathur Programme Coordinator – Postgraduate studies/ Murdoch Business School Mahima Mathur holds a Masters in Business Administration with specialization in Finance (Distinction) from The Symbiosis Institute of Business Management in India and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from the University of London. She also holds a BA (Honours) in Economics from the University of Delhi. Mahima started her career as an Investment Banker at Lazard Bros, working in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions. She has since moved to teaching and been lecturing in Economics and Finance based subjects for the last seven years. The last five years she has worked for several Australian universities based in Jakarta teaching subjects such as Economics, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, and Human Resource Management. Mahima is also keen on research and has written a paper on “Corporate Governance and its impact on shareholder value”. Mahima feels privileged to have a good understanding of different cultures, having lived in Switzerland, Indonesia, India and the UAE in the last 12 years and having travelled to many more countries. Her PhD Topic is "Investment Decision Making For Retirement Planning in The Shadow of Holistic Decision Making Model: A Study of Indian Expatriate Women in UAE" E-mail: mailto:mahima.mathur@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Maha Sidahmed Program Coordinator – School of Media Communication and Culture Maha Sidahmed earned her degree in Art & Design from Curtin University of Technology, Australia and moved on to complete an MA in Communication Management from the University of South Australia. In the years that followed her bachelor's, Maha worked as a graphic designer, copywriter and consultant on various projects before pursuing a full-fledged career in academia. This new found passion for teaching led her to KDU College, Malaysia where she worked as lecturer and programme leader at the Department of Communication, Media and I.T. Maha hopes that her new start with Murdoch Dubai as a lecturer for the School of Media Communication and Culture will continue to fuel this passion. Email: maha.sidahmed@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Saba Siddiqi Lecturer – Media and Screen Production Academic Services (School of Media, Communication and Culture) Saba Siddiqi holds Masters Degree from Goldsmiths University in London, United Kingdom, where she graduated with a Distinction in Media Communications, specialising in Film-making. She has also attended Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia where she earned her qualifications as a Murdoch Lecturer in the Tutor Training Program. Saba is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Media Communication and Culture at Murdoch University Dubai. She is specializing in Screen and Sound Studies and Productions, and is currently engrossed in producing the next generation of Film and Television specialists to accommodate the booming media field in Dubai. E-mail: saba.siddiqi@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Jennifer Mc Grath Teaching and Learning Centre Coordinator and Associate Lecturer Jennie Mc Grath earned her degree in Food Quality Assurance with Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland. Upon moving to New Zealand some years later, Jennie began teaching in early childhood and specialized in Montessori teaching until her move to Dubai in 2008. Jennie's passion for education led her to complete a Masters of Education with Murdoch University. During the process of completing the M Ed. Jennie offered much support and guidance to other students in need of academic assistance. Jennie's friendly and enthusiastic support led to her recent appointment as the Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Murdoch Dubai. Jennie is very passionate in her role facilitating students through the processes of academic life.
	Zana Azeredo Adjunct Lecturer – Marketing and Leadership Murdoch Business School Zana Azeredo joined Murdoch Business School in 2010 as a Marketing lecturer for the MBA and undergraduate programs. Zana holds a chemical engineering degree, an MBA from Cranfield University, UK, and has specialisations in both Marketing from INSEAD, France, and Finance from Harvard Business School. Zana has over 14 years of experience in general management and marketing, covering operations management, sales, product management, and portfolio direction. Over the years, she has worked or consulted for the following companies: Eli Lilly, Glaxo Smith Kline, Novartis, Procter & Gamble, Rohm and Haas, Ripasa SA, Rigel Agropecuary, Scott Wilson, the train line.com and the United Nations. Zana has extensive global experience, having lived in the USA, Brazil, Peru, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Venezuela and the UAE. Email: zana.azeredo@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Claire Blasco Adjunct Lecturer/ Murdoch Business School Claire holds a Master’s Degree from the Institute of International Business and Finance (Aix-en-Provence, France) as well as an MBA in International Business and Corporate Strategy from the Institute of International Management and Export (Marseille, France). Claire has been running training programs for corporate and individual clients in Europe, South America and the Middle East for almost 10 years. Her fields of expertise are primarily Management, Corporate Strategy and Sales. After successfully running her own consulting company in France, Claire moved to Dubai in 2006. Since then she has been designing and delivering training programs to various local and international companies. Claire also has several years of academic experience gained through teaching subjects such as management, sales and international business in European universities. Email: claire.blasco@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Robert Hillier Adjunct Lecturer Robert has worked as a reporter, producer and trainer for nearly 20 years. He won a place on the BBC News Trainee Scheme in 1995 after graduating in Political Science from the University of Birmingham, UK, before working at Sky News and CNN. Robert returned to the BBC in 2001 where he worked in Global News and Sport as a reporter and producer before a period training young journalists in southern Africa. In 2009, Robert moved to the UAE for a job in the Deputy Prime Minister’s private office Abu Dhabi, before a return to journalism with Dubai One as an Executive Producer. Career highlights include interviewing President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Tony Blair and David Beckham!
	Dana Ibrahim Adjunct Lecturer School of Environmental Management and Sustainability Dana Ibrahim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health from the American University of Beirut. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and a certified ISO 9001 2008 Lead Auditor. Born and raised in the UAE, she was able to complete the O levels & A levels in Abu Dhabi by the age of 15. Graduated from university by the age of 20, she headed back to UAE where she is currently pursuing her career dream in establishing a training academy which focuses on Environmental Management. Dana’s work focuses on raising awareness about interdisciplinary sectors that fall under Environmental Health. She is very passionate about teaching green fundamentals and believes that the solution towards a sustainable development is in the hands of the youth. Dana has over 4 years of experience in Catering and Facilities Management. Throughout her career years, she has been designing the training material given for the trainees and her designs vary from posters to slideshows and many other designs. Dana is happy to be part of the Murdoch University team in Dubai.
	Chris Kinsville-Heyne Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch Business School and School of Education Chris Kinsville-Heyne is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and has worked for over 25 years as a strategic management and communications trainer. He has taught “Teambuilding & Leadership”, Strategic Management, Crisis Communication Management and Strategic Communications at different educational institutions in the UAE and Globally. He has lectured on Crisis Communications for the US State Department, UK Civil Service College, LG, Xerox, Novartis and dozens of blue-chip companies throughout the world, delivering a unique analysis of the communication that took place during the first 2 hours 36 minutes of the “London Bombings”. Chris completed a successful consultancy to the government of the United Arab Emirates as a PR & Communications Subject Matter Expert, where he has redesigned the process by which the government approaches its communication with its people, and international audiences. Chris has recently completed an appointment as the EU Strategic Communications Advisor to the new Government in Tripoli, Libya. Prior to that, his various workshops have allowed him to provide one-on-one training to Ayad Allawi, the former Prime Minister of Iraq, plus many CEOs, GMs, Presidents and management teams from global companies throughout Europe and the Middle East region including; Nakheel, VISA International, Saudi Telecom, Cisco, Barclays International, Saudi Telecom, Serco, Société General, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Deutsche Bank, MTC Vodafone, Bayer, Shering-Plough, UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Qtel, and American Express. Previously, Chris was a Senior Media Trainer for the United Nations Training Advisory Team (UNTAT) in the UK, then he completed a series of lectures to CEOs and business leaders in Kampala, Uganda and Khartoum, Sudan, as a guest of the British Council. He is considered to be the only qualified 2-man, 4-man and skeleton bobsleigh pilot in Dubai, having completed the Olympic run in Lillehammer, Norway in ’97. Chris is is also a qualified Dubai Amateur Football Association referee.
	Claire Macrae Adjunct Lecturer School of Education Claire Macrae holds two Masters degrees in Education, most recently from London’s Middlesex University in Dubai, and another from Rhodes University in South Africa. Seeing the difference in the learning environments, experienced almost twenty years apart, provided inspiration and fuelled her passion for the complex and dynamic world of Web 2.0 technology and 21st century learning. Claire has many years of educational experience in a secondary school context, as well as an educational publishing background, from which she gained extensive experience in the training and facilitation of workshops for teachers, including presenting at numerous education conferences. After successfully running her own publishing business in South Africa, Claire moved to Dubai with her family in 2007, where her interest in 21st century learning arose out of her experience with forward-thinking schools here and her Masters study, which focused on ways of enhancing the learning potential of digital games. She looks forward to the challenge of assisting others to make teaching and learning with ICT meaningful and relevant to the future for the Net generation.
	Kristina Rajic Adjunct Lecturer Academic Services Kristina Rajic holds a Master’s Degree (Mag. Phil.) in Applied Linguistics from the University of Graz in Austria where she has specialised in Translation and Interpreting. Before moving to Dubai in 2007 she worked as mentor and tutor at the University of Graz as well as a free-lance translator and interpreter. Following her passion for teaching, Kristina acquired a qualification in TESOL and worked as Language Instructor at the ETON Institute and EAP Lecturer at the Canadian University of Dubai. Her area of interest and research is foreign language acquisition, where she is academically involved with the aim to acquire further academic qualifications. Kristina teaches Critical Thinking, Research, and Writing as well as Introduction to Information Technology for Murdoch Dubai Foundation Programme.
	Aiva Svede Adjunct Lecturer Academic Services Aiva Svede comes from Latvia. She holds two bachelor's degrees - one in Political Science and one in Finance Management. Aiva attained her MBA degree with Excellence from Hult International Business School, which she studied at the Boston (USA) and Shanghai (China) campuses. Aiva has extensive professional experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, where she has held senior executive management positions as well as consulting roles. In her current position as Managing Director - Middle East and Africa, for a large multinational corporation, Aiva brings her business and academic experience to MBA students by lecturing in a variety of business management areas, including international business, organisational behaviour and risk management. Email: aiva.svede@murdochdubai.ac.ae
	Carol Pinto Adjunct Lecturer Carol Pinto graduated with an Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication, in 2006, and developed an Automatic Guided Vehicle in collaboration with ABB. Finding her passion elsewhere, she then gained extensive exposure in various industries and has worked with some of the most renowned names, here in the UAE, as well as internationally. Her career kicked off with the Al Tayer Group, where she was attached with the Marketing Communications department for Harvey Nichols. Following this, she worked with the largest bank in the region, Emirates NBD. Since there was no stopping Carol, she then decided to pursue her further studies and has now successfully completed her Masters’ in Business Administration from Murdoch University and then worked with some leading brands such as JC Decaux and Martha Stewart ME Publications. Her thirst for knowledge has led her back to Murdoch University Dubai, and she was welcomed back, as an adjunct lecturer in 2011. Carol has taught several courses at the Murdoch Dubai Foundation Program, including, Introduction to Management, Critical Thinking, Research and Academic Writing, Introduction to Information Technology and Business English. She has also lectured and tutored in the Murdoch University Undergraduate Program and Post Graduate Program, in Introduction to Management, Principles of Marketing, Services Marketing, Strategic Management and Strategic Marketing Management. Carol has her research interests in Consumer Behavior and is presently working on a research project in the same area.
	Mandy Northover Adjunct Lecturer Mandy Northover joined Murdoch University in 2012, and holds a Masters degree in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Her Masters thesis was based on a unique interdisciplinary approach of using the philosophy of science to illuminate the discipline of software engineering. Mandy brings to the School of IT 10 years of experience in the ICT industry working both as a Software Developer and as a Solution Architect for multinational telecommunication companies. Her goal is to share the experience and knowledge she gained while working in industry with the students of Murdoch University, and to prepare them as best she can for the many challenges of the business world. Mandy is an avid researcher and writer, and has published and presented several papers during her academic career. She is passionate about technology, communication, and education, and she thrives on combining them as an IT lecturer.
	Syed Munawwar Ahmed Adjunct Lecturer Munawwar Ahmed is a graduate of the Murdoch Dubai MBA program. His passion for learning and exploring new ventures saw Munawwar return to Murdoch in 2012 as a Lecturer. His teaching portfolio reflects his diverse industrial knowledge and experience with Mathematics, Accounting, Economics, Anti-Economics and Information Technology for the Murdoch Dubai Foundation Program. He has also lectured and tutored at the undergraduate level for Accounting and Economics. His aptitude for financial forecasting and strategic planning catapulted him to the post of Vice-President for Strategic Planning and Accounting at a local, Dubai-based conglomerate that manages a range of strategic business units such as logistics, maintenance, building materials and contracting. During his term, Munawwar was involved in overseeing JVs, diversifications into new businesses and key acquisitions. After a two-year stint, Munawwar is currently Managing Partner for the same firm, and recently orchestrated the successful launch of an Interior Design division, aimed primarily at expanding the consumer mix. He has headed teams in key projects such as the Dubai Autodrome racetrack, British Council, American Consulate, Nissan ME, Meydan, Burj Khalifa, The Tiger Woods Dubai, and lately the Madinat Jumeirah Beach Restoration. Presently, he is pursuing his PMP from the Project Management Institute and is quite enthralled with the prospect of starting his PhD later this year.
	Malcom Ward Adjunct Lecturer Malcolm Ward joined Murdoch University in August 2011 after over 40 years working in the media and communications sectors. He has ten years of experience in public relations and over 30 years of experience as a senior journalist and newspaper editor. A specialist in Strategic Communications, Campaign Development and Management, Crisis and Issues Management and Media Relations, Malcolm provides independent communications counsel to a number of private sector companies, including APCO Worldwide, Dubai Holding and Noor Investment Group. He has also provided communications counsel to a number of other blue-chip clients, including the Government of Dubai; Masdar; BMW Group, and BAE Systems. Prior to moving into Public Relations in 2001, Malcolm worked as a journalist in both the United Kingdom and the Middle East. He is a former Editor of The Peninsula newspaper in Qatar; the Worcester Evening News, in Worcester, England and the Daily News, Birmingham, England. He was a member of the launch teams of the Evening Gazette, Colchester, England; Gulf News, Dubai; Daily News and The Peninsula. Malcolm has lived and worked in the Middle East for nearly 30 years and has been living and working in Dubai since 1998.