Academic Board
Prof. Md. Rafiqul Islam
Chair of Academic Board
Dr Rafiqul Islam is a Professor in the School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering at Charles Sturt University, Australia. He is a nationally and internationally recognised expert in cybersecurity, with research expertise spanning malware analysis and classification, authentication, cloud security, privacy in social media, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Dr Islam leads the Cybersecurity Research Team at Charles Sturt University and brings extensive experience in research leadership, collaborative partnerships, and sustainability-focused innovation. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers and has been recognised with multiple national and international awards, including the Cyber Security Researcher of the Year Award (2021) from the Australian Information Security Association. He is a co-recipient of more than 18 externally funded research grants exceeding $7 million in cash funding and is a Co-Investigator on the Cybersecurity CRC, contributing to major projects in resilient networks, IoT security, cybersecurity platforms, and malware detection.
Prof. Chris Tisdell
External member of Academic Board
Professor Chris Tisdell is a distinguished educator and researcher in mathematics and digital education, recognized globally for his innovative contributions to STEM learning. As a member of Lincoln University College’s Academic Board, he brings extensive expertise in academic governance, quality assurance, and strategic oversight. Chris has held senior leadership roles at UNSW, including Associate Dean (Education), where he led initiatives across 600 courses and 10,000 students, driving excellence, innovation, and transparency in teaching and learning.
A pioneer in digital education, Chris’s work includes Australia’s earliest YouTube mathematics channel, with over 10 million downloads and 75,000 subscribers worldwide, demonstrating his commitment to accessible and engaging learning. His research interests span STEM education, digital pedagogy, academic mentoring, and mathematics, and he actively contributes to advancing educational practices through partnerships with institutions, industry, and public engagement.
Chris is a Fellow of the Scientia Education Academy, the Royal Society NSW, HERDSA, and the Australian Mathematical Society, reflecting his leadership and impact in education and scholarship.
Dr. Peninah Kansiime
External Member of Academic Board
Penny is a social work lecturer at Edith Cowan University. Prior to becoming an academic, she practiced social work in different geographical contexts. Penny has taught Social Work at various institutions in Sydney and has also been founding staff at some of the Social Work Programs at these institutions. Her research interests include conflict-related sexual violence, decolonisation, religion and spirituality, plus indigenous world views. Peninah trains students to become critically reflective practitioners.
Penny has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University Kampala, an International Master of Science in Social Work and Human Rights from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, a Master of Philosophy in Public Mental Health from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, as well as a Doctorate in Social Work from The University of Newcastle. She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda as well as the Australian Research Network for African Academics.
Dr Mohsen Pourghasem
External Member of Academic Board
Dr Mohsen Pourghasem is a senior academic with over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership across Australia, Iran, and the UK.
He holds a PhD in Anatomical Sciences and has served as Professor and Head of Department in Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, contributing to teaching and research at the University of Sydney.
Dr Pourghasem has expertise in the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 and the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), with a focus on academic quality, course design, learning outcomes, and assessment integrity. His experience spans curriculum development, supervision of higher degree research candidates, academic risk management, and monitoring of teaching and learning standards. He has also contributed to academic policies, moderation processes, research governance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
As a member of the Academic Board, Dr Pourghasem provides oversight of academic standards, research integrity, and quality assurance, supporting evidence-based decisions that uphold TEQSA and AQF requirements, student success, and institutional accountability.