Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

Catherine's primary roles involve providing research assistance across the International Portfolio and the preparation of reports, conference papers, proposals, submissions and media releases connected with International Research.  Her work also involves liaison with stakeholders and staff across the University and beyond to develop and implement actions that progress the University’s international priorities, as well as the co-ordination of University responses to local and international requests for information.  Catherine joined the ODVCI team in May 2007 from the Royal Australian Navy.  She holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from theUniversity of Melbourne and is currently studying her Masters of Environmental Management.  Prior to joining the navy, Catherine spent time working in Tanzania. 

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.

Joanna is the Director, China Engagement. Joanna is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the University’s China strategy. Joanna is also responsible for providing support in strengthening Monash University's education and research cooperation activities with Chinese universities and organisations. Joanna was a Professor of Economics at Chinese universities and started with Monash University as a visiting professor at the Department of Banking and Finance, Syme Business School in 1994. Joanna worked as Asia Business Executive at Deacons Lawyers and returned to Monash in 2003 as Senior Research Fellow and Director, International Research and Education in the Faculty of Business and Economics.  Joanna joined the Office in September 2006.  Joanna has published numerous articles and several books on issues of economic policy, financial reform and corporate governance in China . She has also received major grants from the Beijing Municipal Government, Chinese Academy of Social Science and the Australian Research Council on her many research projects.

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 an international education officer 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.

Gail is the executive support officer; her role is to provide administrative support to ODVCI. Prior to joining the office Gail worked for Executive Services where she assisted with the roll over to CMS and managed their website.

Danny's primary role is to assist the Director of Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor in areas of task-force management and other administrative affairs. Danny joined the Office in November 2006. Prior to joining the Office, he completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) with a thesis on International Education/Students atMonash University. Danny also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Business (Management) from Monash University and is fluent in Mandarin and Hokkien (Chinese dialect).

Kate is responsible for identifying and developing education partnerships to assist with the internationalising the curriculum, improving international student experience, increasing student mobility abroad and information communications technology developments. Prior to joining Monash Kate was Senior Executive Officer, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development and International) at the University of Western Sydney. Prior to UWS Kate was a policy adviser to a Minister in Federal Parliament. Kate has also worked at the University of New South Wales for the Pro Vice Chancellor (International) and has several years experience in the financial services and non-profit sector.  Kate holds a BSocSc from theUniversity of New South Wales in Sydney and an MComm from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Eugene’s primary role is to assist the University's Research portfolio and faculties increase research collaboration, international research funding and higher degree research scholarships.  Prior to joining Monash Eugene was Senior manager, International Development at the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney where he developed and managed a number of international development assistance projects funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF, Asian Development Bank, AusAID and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor. Eugene is a doctoral candidate with the Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney. He holds a BA (Hons) from Flinders University in South Australia and speaks Bahasa Malaysia.

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 B.Com (Melb) and a G.Dip.Arts (Asian Studies) (Monash). 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.

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.

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.