Senior Management

Leading with Vision,
Driving Success

Pioneering the way forward, where innovation fuels achievement and excellence becomes the norm.

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Guiding Excellence, Forging Success

Our Senior Management team stands at the helm, driving our institution's unwavering pursuit of excellence and success. Comprising accomplished leaders and visionaries from diverse backgrounds, their collective expertise shapes every facet of our institution, from academic innovation to strategic growth. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and empowering future leaders, our Senior Management team ensures that our institution continues to thrive as a beacon of transformative education and impactful change.
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Arjun Surapaneni

CEO and Chairman

Arjun has extensive education, technology and commercial experience with over 25 years’ experience in senior executive and Chief Executive Officer roles. His expertise straddles strategy, business growth, international business development, marketing, technology commercialisation, business transformation, change management and sustainability. Arjun has coordinated IT project implementation and training with organisations such as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Covansys, IBM Global Services, Ernst & Young, Computer Science Corporation, WA Police Services, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Telstra, Health for Aged (Australian Federal Government), Dresdner Bank (UK) and BHP Australia.Although a third generation educator, Arjun became a dedicated educator in 1999 after he chanced upon a research paper published in the USA. It stated that when many near dead, or people who were thought to be dead, ‘came back to life’ and were asked what was their first thought when they came back to consciousness, an amazing 87% said they wished they had studied/learned more. Arjun was appointed as a Member of the Multicultural Business Ministerial Council (MBMC) by the Baillieu Government in Victoria from 24 October 2011 to 23 October 2013 and was also the Chair of Export and Human Capital (including Education) working groups of the MBMC.
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Surender Etikala

Director of Business Operations

Surender has a consistent track record in successfully leading large teams with a strong focus on growing the business and an ongoing commitment to student success. Over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing strategic and operational plans, along with expertise in student retention, student progression and student welfare in the Higher Education, Vocational and ELICOS environments.

Key areas of expertise are:
  • Leadership
  • Human Resource Management
  • Performance Management
  • Student Engagement
  • Student Wellbeing and Welfare
  • Policy Development
  • TEQSA and ASQA Compliance and Audits
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Satya Indukuri

Chief of Staff

Satya Indukuri is a highly accomplished professional in education and training, boasting over 15 years of experience within the Australian education sector. His proficiency covers Training Delivery, Student Administration, Compliance Management, Quality Assurance, and Risk Management. With international experience in other countries such as India, Ecuador, and Bhutan, Satya has collaborated with diverse stakeholders, spanning governmental and non-governmental entities.

As a pivotal member of the Senior Executive Team, Satya ensures seamless operation of systems and processes related to Admissions, Student Services, HR, and other functions, striving for optimal outcomes for all stakeholders. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts in Public Administration, and various training and assessment certifications.

Satya possesses a deep understanding of and compliance with regulatory frameworks along with expertise in the administration and management of private training providers and student services.

Drawing on his leadership roles managing Registered Training Organizations in Australia, Satya adeptly navigates compliance requirements in the local education sector. Prior to his corporate tenure in Australia, he served over two decades in the Indian Air Force, specialising in Air Traffic Controlling, gaining valuable global exposure in both military and civil operations, and interacting with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.

Satya places high value on teamwork, actively participating in stakeholder management meetings across all levels. His meticulous attention to detail and fervour for safety, compliance, and risk management make him an invaluable asset to VIT.

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Babu Khanal

Director - International Recruitment

Babu Khanal started his journey in Australia as an International Student from Nepal. After completing his Bachelor and Masters degree in Australia, he entered into Australia's corporate world as an IT professional. Inspired by his own experience as an International student, Babu wanted to assist others in achieving similar opportunities in Australia and subsequently entered into the world of International Education as an International student recruiter which provided him with extensive knowledge and experience within the International education industry.

Babu has very successfully built a strong reputation in the sector and over 15 years of work experience has gained deep sales and business development knowledge along with a sound understanding of the needs and wants of students who seek to study in Australia. His professionalism, customer services, work ethic and passion for his work has enabled him to build authentic relationships with colleagues, clients, international students, and their families.

With a deep understanding of Australia's education system along with his multilingual communication skills, he has helped thousands of students to achieve their study journey in Australia and their progression to professional career outcomes. Babu has progressed rapidly through his professional career and been very successful in recruiting students globally to study in Australia for courses in Business, Health, Design, Hospitality, Technology, Education, Research and English language. He continues to share this same passion and energy that has led to his success as Director for International Recruitment at VIT.

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Rohith Meneni

Director Business Development and Operations (Marketing & Admissions)

Rohith Meneni is an experienced management and business development executive who has a strong business acumen and a customer focused approach. He is a strategic thinker who likes to challenge the status quo and looks for continuous improvement.

Key areas of expertise are:
  • Business Operations
  • Project Management
  • Acquisition marketing (B2C)
  • International student recruitment
  • Solution sales (B2B)
  • Financial services marketing
  • Commercial negotiation
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Jacob Mohan

Group CFO

Jacob has over 25 years’ experience in leading high-performing financial teams by providing sound financial recommendations to executive management. Influencing the organisations strategic direction to drive optimal financial performance, engaging, and managing internal and external stakeholders are attributes to Jacob portrays. Having attained his two master’s in Professional Accounting (MPA) from Victoria University and Business Administration (MBA) from MG University. Jacob demonstrates sound judgement and decision making, providing clear oversight to all financial forecasting, budgeting, treasury operations, forex management and financial matrix reporting. His experience in multinational companies gives him the edge and strategic mindset to succeed. Jacob has memberships in CPA and Fellow of Institute of Public Accounts (FIFA, FFA).
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Professor Sid Nair

Executive Dean/Dean, Learning, Teaching and Student Experience

"Sid Nair has over 30 years’ experience in the tertiary sector both in Australia and internationally."

His experience ranges from being the Executive Director of the apex regulatory body, Tertiary Education Commission, Mauritius; Professor of Higher Education Development at University of Western Australia; and, Interim Director and Quality Advisor (Evaluations and Research) at the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ), Monash University.

Key areas of expertise are:
  • Formulation and execution of strategies and policies in higher education
  • Building academic capacity in learning and teaching
  • Quality Assurance and Accreditation
  • Evaluations
  • Enhancing student experience
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Professor Sebastian Ng

Dean of Information Technology and Systems

Professor Sebastian Ng has extensive experience in Australia Higher Education. After finishing his doctorate at the University of Hong Kong, Dr Ng joined Swinburne University of Technology as an academic staff in 1992 till 2020. He is currently an adjunct professor with Swinburne University of Technology.

Sebastian was the ex-chair of Computer Science and Software Engineering Department at Swinburne, after serving many other leadership roles such as Academic Directors (Pathways) and Associate Dean (International). His academic qualifications include PhD, Master’s, PG Diploma and Bachelor’s degrees in multi-disciplines ranging from Computing and Information Technology to Science and Education. His main research interests are Software Engineering, Software Testing and IT Education. He is a Certified Professional and Senior Professional Member of the Australian Computer Society.

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Associate Professor Anuradha Samkham Raju

Associate Dean, Sydney Campus & Registrar

Anuradha Samkhamraju has 20 years of academic and industry experience in IT in India, the Kingdom of Bahrain and Australia.

‘Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first loves together’- Scott Hayden

Key areas of expertise are:
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Software Engineering
  • Software Testing
  • Database Management Systems
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Professor Andrew Scown

Provost

Professor Andrew Scown has dedicated his career to education, beginning with teaching primary school in the mid 1970’s through to supervising research students in Australia and abroad, and for the last 20 years in leading and managing Universities in Southeast Asia. Alongside his leadership roles as Vice-President Academic of RMIT Vietnam’s Campus, and President of Stamford International University Thailand he has also been deeply immersed in the research, development, and implementation of curriculum and pedagogies to enhance authentic learning for international students.

In his current role as Provost of VIT he is able to harness his vast experience as he works to develop and shape global approaches to post-secondary education for the new world of work that is unfolding in the 21st Century.

In addition to various undergraduate awards in education and theology, he also holds an MBA focussing on human resource development from RMIT University, and a PhD in Education from Melbourne University where he conducted phenomenological research into the lived experience of Being an Academic.

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Wen Shao

Director, Educational Quality Assurance and Compliance

Wen has over 10 years’ experience in tertiary education, academic management, academic quality assurance and dual sector compliance. Prior to joining VIT, Wen held many senior academic management positions, and led a few successful provider (re-)registration and course (re-)accreditation with TEQSA.

His expertise includes designing self-regulating and compliance-assurance system for higher education provider, formulating and implementing institutional academic quality strategies, and management of compliance with legislations for dual sector providers.

Wen received his MPhil degree in Computer Science from the Australian National University. His research was around artificial intelligence and machine learning.

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Associate Professor Rahul Thakkar

Associate Dean Academic (Melbourne Campus)

Rahul has over 16 years of experience in academic. Proven distinction in the development of strong bond with students and colleagues. Exhibits expertise in coordinating academic and exam related matters and in activities to boost learning in Higher Education. Demonstrates additional knowledge of research in data analysis and in administrative work related to exams and academic.

Has completed PhD and M.Phil in the discipline of Computer Science and Information Technology.

Key areas of expertise are:
  • Machine learning
  • Information retrieval
  • Knowledge Management
  • Database Management
  • Application Development
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Professor Eugene Thomlinson

Dean – Business Studies

Professor Eugene Thomlinson has over 25 years of experience in industry and academia providing a firm foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge in business, tourism and hospitality, and management.

Professor Thomlinson completed his PhD in Management through La Trobe University, examining persuasive communications and the effects of film on destination image. He holds an MBA in tourism and hospitality management from the University of Calgary with his thesis exploring the business of ecotourism in Central America, and a Bachelor of Commerce in finance and small business management from the University of Manitoba.

Professor Thomlinson has taught with Royal Roads University (Victoria, Canada), La Trobe University, Griffith University, Southern Cross University, and ITESO University (Guadalajara, Mexico). Before joining academia, he worked for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) as the senior market analyst responsible for developing the Explorer Quotient (EQ) and understanding global tourism. Additionally, he worked for Parks Canada, conducting social science research in national parks and historic sites across western Canada, focusing on human use patterns and evaluating communications.

Professor Thomlinson’s research interests and experience are focused on sustainable development, social marketing, persuasive communication, image and branding, film tourism, screen tourism, location and product placements, and mega-event sports tourism (e.g. Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, World Cup, etc.). He also enjoys working with communities and organizations on community tourism development plans and opportunity assessments as well as being a trained focus group moderator.