ACADEMIC BOARD
The Academic Board is the principal academic governing body for all matters affecting the Adelaide Institute of Higher Education’s (AIHE) teaching, learning and scholarship. It monitors and maintains the quality of all academic programs, and identifies and analyses matters related to AIHE’s academic direction and values. The Academic Board is responsible and accountable to the Council for the discharge of these academic responsibilities.
Members of AIHE Academic Board are either experienced academics from other Australian Universities or with leadership experience in higher education institutions in South Australia.
For further details about the Terms of Reference of AIHE Academic Board, see HERE.
Members of the Academic Board
Dr. Vicki Feast, B Ec, Grad Dip Ed, EdD (Flinders), Grad Dip Ec (Uni of Adelaide), M Comm (UniSA)
Chair of Academic Board
Appointed Member
Dr Vicki Feast is currently the Chair of AIHE Academic Board. Prior to this AIHE role Vicki worked as a consultant at the University of South Australia (UniSA) for six years. However, for most of her working life (23 years) prior to this Vicki worked at the UniSA in a range of different roles including as Associate Professor and Dean: Teaching and Learning and Dean: International. Vicki’s discipline expertise is in Economics. Vicki taught Economics in a range of onshore and transnational programs in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Hong throughout her career at UniSA.
Dr Vicki Feast is currently the Chair of AIHE Academic Board. Prior to this AIHE role Vicki worked as a consultant at the University of South Australia (UniSA) for six years. However, for most of her working life (23 years) prior to this Vicki worked at the UniSA in a range of different roles including as Associate Professor and Dean: Teaching and Learning and Dean: International. Vicki’s discipline expertise is in Economics. Vicki taught Economics in a range of onshore and transnational programs in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Hong throughout her career at UniSA.
Dr. Rhoda Abadia, BSc Comp Sc Hons, MSc, PhD (De La SalleUni), Grad Cert Tert Ed (Federation)
Appointed Member
Dr Rhodora Abadia has 26 years of teaching, research, industry and education management experience, and 12 of these 22 years focused on academic leadership and management. She received multiple awards for outstanding teaching, research, and management in the field of Computing. She is currently the program facilitator for University of South Australia Online and manages the online delivery of STEM degrees. Rhoda has undertaken research projects in the areas of User Experience, Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence. Her major area of interest is in the use of technologies to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Dr Rhodora Abadia has 26 years of teaching, research, industry and education management experience, and 12 of these 22 years focused on academic leadership and management. She received multiple awards for outstanding teaching, research, and management in the field of Computing. She is currently the program facilitator for University of South Australia Online and manages the online delivery of STEM degrees. Rhoda has undertaken research projects in the areas of User Experience, Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence. Her major area of interest is in the use of technologies to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Dr. Robyn Davidson, Adv Dip Acc, B Com (Hons), PhD (Flinders), GCert Ed, GCert OLL (Adelaide) SFHEA
Appointed Member
Dr Robyn Davidson comes to the AIHE Academic Board with over 20 years of experience in the university sector. Robyn has over 20 years of teaching experience across various financial accounting and information systems courses in Adelaide and offshore in Singapore and China in addition to conducting an annual European accounting and finance study tour. Robyn was a founding member of the University of Adelaide Education Academy and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Before retirement in 2021 she was an Associate Professor and the Adelaide Business School Associate Head Learning and Teaching. Robyn has a particular interest in international students' wellbeing and has won multiple teaching awards at University and Faculty level and mentored award-winning staff. Robyn has published in education, information systems, and business journals.
Dr Robyn Davidson comes to the AIHE Academic Board with over 20 years of experience in the university sector. Robyn has over 20 years of teaching experience across various financial accounting and information systems courses in Adelaide and offshore in Singapore and China in addition to conducting an annual European accounting and finance study tour. Robyn was a founding member of the University of Adelaide Education Academy and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Before retirement in 2021 she was an Associate Professor and the Adelaide Business School Associate Head Learning and Teaching. Robyn has a particular interest in international students' wellbeing and has won multiple teaching awards at University and Faculty level and mentored award-winning staff. Robyn has published in education, information systems, and business journals.
Dr. Valerie Kupke, BSc (Hons) Queen’s University Belfast, PG Cert Ed (Nottingham), Grad Dip Prop (UniSA), Grad Dip Ec, M Env Stud, PhD (Adelaide), (CPPE)
Appointed Member
Dr Valerie Kupke was employed as a senior academic and researcher at the University of South Australia (UniSA) for almost 30 years. She published primarily in the area of housing and land economics and upon retirement continued as an Adjunct for some years. She is an ongoing member of the Australian Property Institute (API) and continues to provide research services to institutions such as the Australian Lutheran College which is affiliated to the University of Divinity Melbourne. While employed at UniSA she taught on a regular basis at Thammasat University, Bangkok, Hong Kong Baptist University and in Singapore. She is an invited Board Member of the Governing Council of the Adelaide College of Divinity.
Dr Valerie Kupke was employed as a senior academic and researcher at the University of South Australia (UniSA) for almost 30 years. She published primarily in the area of housing and land economics and upon retirement continued as an Adjunct for some years. She is an ongoing member of the Australian Property Institute (API) and continues to provide research services to institutions such as the Australian Lutheran College which is affiliated to the University of Divinity Melbourne. While employed at UniSA she taught on a regular basis at Thammasat University, Bangkok, Hong Kong Baptist University and in Singapore. She is an invited Board Member of the Governing Council of the Adelaide College of Divinity.
Mr. Shaun McNicholas, BA (Adelaide)
Appointed Member
Shaun is the founder and principal of training consultancy Cool Rules [for writers]. Cool Rules works with government, education and business clients across Australia to improve workplace writing. His background in public and private sector higher education management includes periods as Director/CEO of the South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT), the Centre for English Language at the University of South Australia (CELUSA), Education Adelaide (now Study Adelaide), and the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).
Shaun is the founder and principal of training consultancy Cool Rules [for writers]. Cool Rules works with government, education and business clients across Australia to improve workplace writing. His background in public and private sector higher education management includes periods as Director/CEO of the South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT), the Centre for English Language at the University of South Australia (CELUSA), Education Adelaide (now Study Adelaide), and the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).
Dr Cyril Jankoff, EdD, MBA, Grad Dip Tax, BBus (Accy), LLB, Dip Contract Mgt, Cert IV TAE, Fellow CPA, Fellow AIM, Fellow IML, Fellow WorldCC and SRME
Ex Officio Member
Dr Cyril Jankoff is AIHE’s Head of School. With over 30 years of educating international students, Dr Jankoff brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this pivotal role. Throughout his career, Dr Jankoff has lectured across a range of subjects, including Accounting, Negotiation, Risk Management, Procurement, and Business Law. Prior to AIHE, he was a key member of the Academic Directorate team and served as the Executive Delivery Mode MBA Program Director at the Universal Business School of Sydney. In addition to his academic contributions, Cyril is a qualified and experienced Solicitor, a Certified Practicing Accountant, and a Fellow of CPA Australia. He has also authored several books on the intersection of commerce and law.
Dr Cyril Jankoff is AIHE’s Head of School. With over 30 years of educating international students, Dr Jankoff brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this pivotal role. Throughout his career, Dr Jankoff has lectured across a range of subjects, including Accounting, Negotiation, Risk Management, Procurement, and Business Law. Prior to AIHE, he was a key member of the Academic Directorate team and served as the Executive Delivery Mode MBA Program Director at the Universal Business School of Sydney. In addition to his academic contributions, Cyril is a qualified and experienced Solicitor, a Certified Practicing Accountant, and a Fellow of CPA Australia. He has also authored several books on the intersection of commerce and law.
Ms. Sonia Malik BA Psych, B Ed, MBA Student (AIHE)
Student Representative
Sonia has degrees in Psychology and Education and a Certification in German Language. She has teaching experience for over seven years and is a registered teacher in South Australia. She is currently an MBA student at AIHE.
