Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

Kelsey is responsible for supporting the Monash South Africa campus and African projects within the ODVCI. Prior to joining Monash, Kelsey was with Bond University as the manager for study abroad and exchange programs. She is an active board member for two NGOs in Ghana, where she spent time as a volunteer teacher in 2004, and has also produced documentaries about Sudanese refugees in Australia and NGOs in Ghana. Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Coe College, USA, and a Master of Film & Television from Bond University.

Crystal's primary role is to manage the operations and administration of the ODVCI. This includes financial and human resource management and organisation of key committees and task forces. Crystal also coordinates the establishment and development of the University's formal international agreements with international partner institutions. Crystal holds a Masters of Education (Policy and Management) from Monash University. She has worked overseas in India and the Middle East.

Nizar’s primary role is to developing a country specific Monash strategy for educational involvement in the Middle East region, to promote and develop HDR scholarship opportunities from the Middle East, with focus on recruiting HDR students on scholarship from ME, developing policies and guidelines for proactive engagement with leading universities and educational institutions in the region and developing senior level linkages with key government bodies.  Nizar joined Monash University on January 2006 and joined the ODVCI in April 2007. Nizar was the Director of Primary Health Care, Sharjah Medical District Ministry of Health, Sharjah, UAE for thirty years from 1976. Nizar holds a M.B.B.S from Ain Shams University, Egypt. A D.T.M&H. from University of Liverpool UK, a Dip.Ven. from the University of Liverpool UK and a Master of Family Medicine (Clinical) from Monash University. Nizar speaks fluent Arabic.

Recent article in the Medical Observer

Celia’s primary role is to provide research, protocol and executive support to the engagement with Chinese universities. Celia joined the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in April, 2007. Prior to joining Monash University, Celia worked at Chinese universities, Queensland Government, Australian Internships and Australian international colleges, developing and coordinating international programs. Celia holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) from Chongqing University, P.R. China and a Master of Marketing Management from Griffith University, Australia. Celia speaks fluent Mandarin.

Jamuna's role is to assist and support the ODVCI in financial management and special projects. She also provides executive support to task forces. Jamuna joined Monash University in October 2007. She holds a Masters in International Accounting and Finance from University of London. Prior to joining Monash University, she worked with Deloitte & Touche (Chartered Accountants) Kuala Lumpur and as a lecturer in accounting and finance at the Victoria University Sunway campus, Malaysia. Jamuna speaks fluent Bahasa Malaysia and conversational Tamil.

Benjamin Leske is the executive officer for Europe and North America within the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) at Monash University. Prior to joining Monash, he was employed in a foreign policy advisory role within the Australian public service. He has worked in a variety of tutoring and international student support roles at the Australian National University, Canberra, and the University of Adelaide, South Australia. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in German Studies and Politics from the University of Adelaide, and a Master of Arts (International Relations) with honours from the Australian National University.

Lydia's role is to assist and support the committees and task forces in the ODVCI. Lydia joined the ODVCI team in October 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History from Monash University and is currently studying a Diploma of Languages (Italian). Prior to joining Monash University, Lydia worked in sales and marketing for the fitness industry.

Allan’s primary role is to provide research, protocol and executive support to the engagement with North East Asian and Latin American universities. Allan joined the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) in June, 2008. Prior to joining Monash University, Allan lived in Japan and Korea and has worked in a variety of fields including: lexicography, ESL instruction, corporate sustainability, and commercial banking. Allan holds a Bachelor of Business (International Business) from QUT, and graduated at the top of the class from the Master of Diplomacy and Trade course at Monash University, Australia.

As Director, International Research, Eugene Sebastian is responsible for assisting the university implement its international strategy and build international strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Monash, Eugene was with the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney where he developed and managed international research and training projects funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF in Cambodia and North Korea, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, AusAID and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. Eugene also worked with a multinational firm in developing corporate training solutions for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Eugene holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours from Flinders University and a PhD from the University of Sydney. His research interests have covered the internationalisation of higher education, overseas students protest in Australia and the use of technology in protest movements.

Michael joined the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in late 2004. Michael’s primary role is to support the development of international education and research linkages for Monash, with a particular focus on Europe and the USA. This includes the provision of strategic and operational advice and support to the London and Prato Centres. Michael has particular expertise in preparing funding and project proposals - he coordinated and wrote the successful bid to the European Commission for the Monash European and EU Studies Centre in 2005.  Michael holds BComm from the University of Melbourne and a GradDipA(AsianStudies) from Monash University. He is a former Korea Foundation Fellow, having undertaken graduate studies and trained to upper intermediate level in Korean language at Seoul’s Yonsei University. Prior to joining the office, Michael managed Monash’s alumni program, where he worked closely with Monash alumni groups in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea and the US and introduced a range of initiatives including the Monash Alumni e-newsletter, the Gearing for Success and Leading Ideas series.

Robert is responsible for the development and management of the International Database and the international@monash website as well as to provide information communications technology support and establish information processes to the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International). His role also includes the photography and image processing for international events as well as editing, publishing and distributing the Monthly ODVCI Newsletter. Robert joined the ODVCI team in June 2007 from working in private enterprise as a Web Programmer & Graphic Designer. Robert has a degree in Bachelor of Technology (Computer Studies) from Monash University. He speaks Polish and basic Bulgarian.

Emily is a project officer in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) at Monash University. Prior to joining Monash she worked within the Victorian public service. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts (History and Communications) from the University of Notre Dame Australia, a Master of Arts (International Affairs) from the Australian National University, and is a candidate within the Masters of International Law program at the University of Melbourne.

Niruja's primary role is to provide research, protocol and executive support to the engagement with Middle Eastern Universities and Educational Institutions. Niruja joined the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in May 2009. Niruja holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham, UK and a Masters of International Business from Monash University, Australia. Prior to joining Monash University, Niruja worked as an Investment Advisor.

Erica's primary role in the ODVCI is to provide support to the Director, International Education. Prior to joining Monash University in August 2009, Erica worked as Consultant and Program Coordinator in the International Development sector. She has a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) from RMIT University in Melbourne. Erica has worked overseas in Afghanistan, coordinating an aid-funded scholarship program.

Belinda's primary role is to assist and support the Staff in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in administration. Belinda joined the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in February 2007.  Prior to joining Monash, Belinda worked in a number of administrative roles. Belinda holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)/Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University. Belinda speaks fluent Chinese.

Chong's role in the ODVCI is to assist and support the engagement with Chinese universities. Chong joined the Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in February, 2009. Prior to joining Monash, Chong was employed as a business development consultant in primary industry, providing business analysis and advice for projects in China. Chong holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and a Master of International Business from Monash University. Chong speaks fluent Mandarin.

Rachel’s primary role is to provide a range of executive level administrative, secretarial and office management support services to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), including the dissemination of information to a wider audience. Rachel joined the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) in February 2006.  Prior to joining the ODVCI, Rachel worked in the Office International Development and Monash International for 8 years. Rachel possesses over 12 years experience in the International Portfolio at Monash University.  Rachel speaks fluent Spanish and basic Italian.