Editorial Team

 BSc, MSc, PhD, CQP FCQI
Chartered Quality Professional/ Chartered Fellow of The Chartered Quality Institute (UK)

Summary

An experienced educator equipped with excellent teaching, research, administrative and educational leadership skills. Overall work experience in Higher Education (HE) of more than three decades (Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and UK) 19 years of it in highly competitive and multicultural UAE.
These enable me to have extensive knowledge in HE sectors and a proven record of success in getting initiatives off the ground and flourishing as proven by the international awards bestowed upon me. I have worked for the construction industry for fourteen years before joining academia. I have had the opportunity of being a key person in creating a university from concept to reality which requires vision, passion, and courage to attempt to innovate and to deliberately create a new and improved learning culture. The aforementioned positions have enabled me to develop a high level of skills and experience in the following areas:

• Curriculum Design and Development.
• Creating innovative programs, extending from inception of idea, through preparing and planning, to developing and
  implementing and providing support structures
• Hands on involvement in managerial level in delivering quality programs and working closely with the quality accreditation
  agencies
• Extensive experience in consultation in HE. Delivering special expertise in quality related issues and working as an external expert
  in organizations that need to start new HE programs which have information dissemination and knowledge creation as the focus
  of their program activity.
• Extensive experience in faculty recruitment in a highly diversified background for nearly two decades.
• Established a system of institutional research of a very high standard. This is a citation from one of the CAA’s Visiting Committees
  (VC) report on 25th March, 2007) regarding the accreditation on the B.Sc. Program in Computer Engineering. This system was highly commended by the VC as stated in its report “((It is evident that IU takes it responsibilities in this area seriously and is in the process
  of establishing a system of institutional research of a very high standard. The work completed so far is very impressive and the use of the results is highly commendable. The VC has a number of recommendations in this area, but these focus on ways in which IU can now complete its institutional research project and rectify a number of problems within the existing policies and procedures. Overall, IU has implemented an objectives/outcomes-based approach and sees the positive benefits that will follow from carefully prepared institutional research, in terms of sound strategic planning and institutional development. In large part this is due to the enthusiasm and expertise of the current Director of the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Quality Administration (PEQA), Dr Abdul Sattar Al-Alusi. PEQA has a full-time assistant and publishes a number of monographs that summarize theresults of institutional research, especially those concerned with student satisfaction. There is an impressive computer-based analysis tool for student satisfaction that is available to all faculty members.”)). In this IR system I have initiated and developed Institutional Research Monographs Series for the evaluation of all the University operations and services. In addition, in later stages of the development, I have initiated and developed the “Program Annual Assessment Report” reporting in a Wholistic approach the annual assessments of all the academic program aspects with an improving strategy for the next cycle.
• ▪  A comprehensive experience in the Accreditation & Licensure Standards of the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), UAE and Kingdom of Bahrain Education & Training Quality Authority (BQA). Have good knowledge of Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA), UK, and Australia, in addition to the AACSB and SACSCOC Accreditation Standards.
• ▪  Teaching and Supervising Masters and PhD students.
  I am inducted as a Chartered Quality Professional/ Chartered Fellow of The Chartered Quality Institute of UK, listed international consultant in Quality Assurance in Higher Education by the Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN), and member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
  Because of this intensive knowledge combined with vast experience in different countries I have been recognized as a distinguished management, academic, and QA consultant in various countries. Additionally, I am supervising PhD students at UK universities.

ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

1. Freelance QA in HE Consultancy, December 2020 – present
2. Management Consultant, Al Nuaimi Group LLC International, Ras Al Khaimah,
   UAE, March 2018-Present (Currently Remotely)
3. Dean, College of Security and Global Studies, American University in the
   Emirates, Dubai, February 3,2019 – December. 23, 2020.
4. President and CEO, Emirates College for Management and Information
   Technology, Dubai, UAE, April 5, 2015- November 15, 2017. Also member of
   Board of Governors.
5. Chancellor and CEO, ITTIHAD UNIVERSITY, UAE, April 27, 2011- April
   5, 2015, also member of Board of Trustees
6. Vice Chancellor for Quality Affairs, ITTIHAD UNIVERSITY, UAE, Feb. 7,
   2010–April 26, 2011.
7. Visiting Professor, Business Improvement Centre, Coventry University, UK, April
   26, 2012 –April 25, 2013.
8. Dean (founder), College of Management and Information Systems, ITTIHAD
   UNIVERSITY, UAE, Sept. 1999 – Feb. 6, 2010. Continued as Acting Dean
   along with my new position as Vice Chancellor.
9. Director, Business Information Systems Program, ITTIHAD UNIVERSITY,
   UAE, Sept. 1999 – Feb. 6, 2010.
10. Director, Off-Campus Centre of ITTIHAD UNIVERSITY in Dubai at
    Emirates College for Management and Information Technology, Nahda 2, Dubai;
    2008 - 2011. (Two days per week).

11. Director (founder), Planning, Evaluation & Quality Administration, and the

Office for Academic Accreditation Affairs, ITTIHAD UNIVERSITY, UAE, October 2001- July 2008 (in addition to my main job as Dean).

HONORS & AWARDS

1. “Most Sustainable 100 CEOs” by World Sustainability 2017, The Address Mall Dubai, Oct. 11, 2017
2. “Education Leadership Award” by THE Golden Globe Tigers 2016 Education Leadership, on 11th April, 2016, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
3. “Education Leadership Award” by World Leadership Congress 2015: “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?”; on 6th & 7th Oct., 2015, (www.worldleadershipcongress.org ), Dubai, UAE.
4. “Best Lecturer Certificate of Excellence" by Club of Rectors Academic Council,
   Oxford, UK during the Oxford Summit of Leaders ‘Science and Education’; 12-15
   October, 2014; The International ‘Science and Education’ Competition 2014
   organized by Europe Business Assembly, Oxford, UK.
   (http://www.summitofleaders.co.uk/en/entrants-express-exhibition ) Prof. AbdulSattar Al- Alusi Page 13 of 14
5. “Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education”, WORLD CHANCELLORS & VICE CHANCELLORS CONGRESS & AWARDS 2014, 27th – 28 June 2014, Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India. (http://www.worldeducationcongress.com/award-categories.html#)
6. "Manager of the Year Medal in science and education sphere 2013" by The Socrates Committee, Oxford, UK received during the Oxford Summit of Leaders ‘Science and Education’; 16-19 December, 2013 organized by Europe Business Assembly, Oxford, UK (http://www.summitofleaders.co.uk/en/cre-rankings)
7. ITTIHAD UNIVERSITY ranked as “Best University” by The Socrates Committee, Oxford, UK received during the Oxford Summit of Leaders ‘Science and Education’; 16-19 December, 2013 organized by Europe Business Assembly, Oxford, UK (http://www.summitofleaders.co.uk/en/crerankings)http://www.ebaoxford.co.uk/events/2013/01/17/oxford_summit_of_leaders- science_and_education/
8. "Best Lecturer Certificate of Excellence" by Club of Rectors Academic Council, Oxford, UK during the Oxford Summit of Leaders ‘Science and Education’; 16-19 December, 2013, The International ‘Science and Education’ Competition 2013 organized by Europe Business Assembly, Oxford, UK. (http://www.summitofleaders.co.uk/en/winners-2013 )
9. "Best Professor in Information Systems", ASIA'S BEST B-SCHOOL AWARD, July, Singapore; 2010.
10. “The Name in Science Award” nominated twice as a Laureate of this International Prize in the field of Scientific Researches by Socrates nomination Committee Europe Business Assembly (UK), (# 528 October 20, 2011 and 2014)

RESEARCH INTEREST

1. Quality in Higher Education
2. Simulation and Optimisation
3. Artificial Intelligence Swarm Algorithms
4. Information Security
5. System Dynamics Simulation
6. Business Analytics /Modelling

EDITORSHIP AND REFEREEING 

1. Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, Afaq Journal; Arab Network for Open and Distance Education, http://www.anode1996.org/afaq/advisory-committee.html
2. Member of Programme Committee, Oxford Summit of Leaders” Science and Education. Innovative Models of Development”, 12-15 October 2014,
3. http://www.summitofleaders.co.uk/en/committee#sthash.D6hHbBdH.dpuf
4. Member of the International Editorial Advisory Board, The GLOBUS Journal: An International Journal of Management and IT, http://www.globusjournal.in/about.html, ISBN 0975-721X
5. Member of the International Editorial Advisory Board, Business Review Journal: A Research Journal of the IIMT College of Management, IIMT Group of Colleges, India, ISBN 0975-0916.
6. Member of the Editorial Review Board, Journal of Information, Information Technology, and Organizations (JIITO); published by the Informing Science Institute, 131 Brook hill Court, Santa Rosa, California 95409 USA.http://jiito.org/editorialreviewboard.html.ACTIVITIES

MEMBERSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

1. Arab Network for Open and Distance Education, member, December 2016
2. The Oxford Academic Union (http://oau.ebaoxford.co.uk); Member; December,
   2015; Oxford, UK.
3. Listed Quality Assurance Consultant in Higher Education, Consultants Database,
   Asian-Pacific Quality Network (www.apqn.org); 2015.
   http://www.apqn.org/services/consultants-list
4. Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Quality Institute (www.thecqi.org), UK, 2012-
   now
5. Member Affiliate of The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in
   Higher Education (INQAAHE); (http://www.inqaahe.org ), 2011- now
6. Member of The Association for Information Systems (http://www.aisnet.org)
   2003- now.
7. Member of The Association for Institutional Research (http://www.airweb.org),
   2003-.
8. Member of The International Society of Iraqi Scientists (http://www.issiraq.org/)
   2000 –Now.
9. Founder & President (elected) of the Iraqi Operational Research Society; 1995-
   July 1996; Baghdad.
10. Member of the UK Operational Research Society since 1976- 1990.
11. MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM DYNAMICS SOCIETY:
    MIT: USA; SINCE 1986

Many publications including books and research papers

Professor Dilshad has over 20 years of experience in the Higher Education sector gained from multiple roles – ranging from teaching in the classroom to senior management positions. She currently holds dual strategic leadership positions as Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Dean of the Faculty of Business at Arden University. 

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, and the youngest of seven children, she enjoyed a successful career in different industries before moving into academia. Realising this was where she could enact genuine change. Therefore, she moved across due to her desire to help students from widening participation backgrounds achieve their goals and support their communities. 

Dilshad is an inspirational higher-education woman who has dedicated her life to pursuing knowledge and advancing learning. With a profound commitment to the transformative power of education, she has blazed a trail as an exemplary educator, mentor, and visionary leader.

She was featured in the publication “We Are The City” and named as an inspirational woman, has made an appearance on BBC Radio 4 discussing digital technology in Higher Education and has also been a finalist for two consecutive years in the grand prix category of the Education Investor Awards shortlisted as Business Woman of the year (2022) and Business Woman to Watch (2021). Similarly, She was named in the Business Women in Education’s inaugural Women to Watch list in 2022.

She won the most prestigious Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Volunteer of the Year Award 2022; she has been the former regional chair for the West Midlands and Northwest regions. She is an inspirational speaker and keenly interested in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) of organisations. Her tireless efforts have not only enriched the academic landscape but have also championed EDI in higher education. 

She has delivered several local and national keynote presentations and published several articles advocating the benefits of diverse and inclusive management and leadership teams. I continue to engage with audiences across a variety of sectors with the ambition to encourage and inspire more females, especially from ethnic minority backgrounds, to attain senior leadership roles.

Through her unwavering passion for teaching and her groundbreaking contributions to pedagogy, [Her Full Name] has inspired countless students and colleagues to reach new heights, challenging the status quo and leaving an indelible mark on higher education. Her story is a testament to the incredible impact one can have when driven by a deep love for learning and a dedication to fostering the potential within others.

Dr Anna Rostomyan is a Professor, EQ Coach, Researcher, international Author, formerly a PhD Mentor at Swiss School of Business Research (SSBR), currently working as a Lecturer at Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI). She defended her PhD with excellence in collaboration with the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), having been awarded an ASCN PhD research grant, and Yerevan State University (Armenia – her alma Mater). She has also formerly worked as an Assistant Professor of English at Yerevan State University (Armenia). Dr. Anna Maria is also an Editorial Board Member at the “Academic Star Publishing Company” (USA), as well as a Reviewer at “Sage” publications. She is the author of 5 books and 30 publications published worldwide with readers of around 100 nationalities according to the statistics of Academia.edu. Her main academic interests lie in the fields of Cognitive Linguistics, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, Emotions, Emotion Management, Emotional Intelligence, Management, Human Resources Management, Human Psychology, Neuroleadership, etc. As for the business sector, Dr. Anna has also worked as the HR manager at “Porsche Center Yerevan”, which endows her with the capacity to combine both theoretical empiric and practical skills.

With over 25 years of dedicated involvement in Higher Education (HE), June has amassed invaluable experience, having occupied senior management positions in five distinct HE institutions, ranging from esteemed public universities to private HE colleges. Holding the respected title of Chartered Marketer and having previously served as the Chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), June's credentials highlight her proficiency and expertise in the field. Her global influence extends across various domains within HE, where she collaborates with institutions worldwide. June's expertise spans collaborative academic partnerships, an area she extensively researched for her doctoral thesis, university centres, curriculum design and development, and student experience enhancement initiatives.

Her significant contributions to the HE landscape are further evidenced by her roles as a board member of the University Centre Leeds and an external member of the NCUK Academic Quality Board, where her insights help shape the academic direction of these esteemed institutions. Beyond her commitments to HE, June also serves as a director at Mountain Top Perspectives. In this capacity, she provides invaluable guidance to business start-ups, leveraging her wealth of experience to support the development and growth of emerging ventures. Additionally, June works closely with the leadership teams of multi-national organisations, offering her expertise in coaching and mentoring to foster leadership excellence and organisational success.

Aljoša Šestanović is a Research Associate at Oxford Business College. 

Aljoša has gained most of his professional business experience in the financial services industry, including corporate banking and management consultancy. For the past eight years, holding the rank of Associate Professor, he has been teaching at a higher education institution. He specialises in finance and accounting courses such as Corporate Finance, Financial Statements Analysis, Company Appraisal, Cost-benefit Analysis, Financial Accounting and Management Accounting.

He is a CFA Charterholder and a Regular Member of the CFA Institute. Dr Aljoša is also a Licensed Investment Advisor. He possesses a Broker Licence granted by the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency. In 2014 he was appointed a Court Expert Witness on finance and accounting matters. He regularly holds workshops on financial analysis, company valuations, and cost-benefit analysis. He also served as the editor of the Croatian translation of the textbook ‘Fundamentals of Financial Management by Van-Horne and Wachowicz.

A classical guitarist, when not pursuing his academic and professional interests, Aljoša derives his solace from music. 

Katarina Sokić has gained most of her professional business experience as a lawyer and professor. For the past nine years, she has taught at a higher education institution and conducted courses in the field of Human Resource Management, Business Ethics in Management, Methodology for Scientific Research, Psychology of Creativity, Management of Capital Firms, Psychology of Personality and Organisation, Company Law and Labour Law.

She is also well versed in business organisation management's legal and psychological framework.

She independently conducts scientific research and is well acquainted with quantitative and qualitative data processing methods. She has also completed her bar and notary exams.

Katarina has served as a team leader on multiple projects.

A good Samaritan, Katarina volunteers at an association that cares for people with mental disabilities. She also likes to spend her spare time relaxing in the lap of nature.

Dr Ljiljana is a research associate at Oxford Business College. She obtained her PhD in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the International Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, Faculty of Economics, University of J.J. Strossmayer, Osijek, Croatia, with research in Franchising and a doctoral thesis on the franchise potential of small enterprises. 

She has extensive experience teaching various entrepreneurial courses at different universities. Furthermore, she has vast expertise in developing new curriculums, academic programs and lifelong learning courses for various universities and business school.

Although a significant part of her teaching experience remains related to Franchising, her scientific curiosity directs her toward other fields of interest as well. She has researched and taught classes on the Philosophy of Entrepreneurship, Knowledge-Economy and Dynamic Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development and Organisational Culture, Management of Quality, Intellectual Capital, Internationalisation of the Business, Creativity, Event Management, Development of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Woman in Business and Development of the Soft Entrepreneurial Skills among others.

Being an entrepreneur herself, with her own consulting company in Croatia creating franchise business models and dealing with entrepreneurial counselling, she can also share her first-hand experience.

She focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with entrepreneurs and institutions through her work. She also channelises her experiences in creating programs for franchise development. For example, one of her projects as the President of the Croatian franchise association is an incubator for self-employment. The project is in collaboration with the Croatian employment agency, in whose grant scheme she also managed to get Franchising included. 

She has also made academic contributions with a wide range of publications.

A dog lover, in her spare time Dr Ljiljana loves reading & Nordic walking.

Dr Kristyan Stoyanov Hadjiev is an Associate Professor at the Department of Business  Administration, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria. He holds a  PhD in Business Administration - "Mapping of High-Efficiency Organizations".)

He is the author of four books in the field of Human Resource Management, and in addition, he is a co-author of six books in the field of Strategic Management and published twenty-six research papers in leading Bulgarian Journals. In addition, he has a wealth of higher education experience and established an independent Tourism College in Velingrad, Bulgaria, in 1996. Since then, he has been involved in many educational-related projects, to include a few such as actively participating in seminars in Bratislava, Slovakia (January-April 1998); Project Coordinator – Bulgaria-Netherland Education Project aimed at developing academic curricula in “Human Resources Management” and “Foundations of Management” (Bulgarian Ministry of Education, 1999); Project Coordinator - Phare - “Strategic Restructuring and Financial Advisory Services”, project number BG 9812-02-01-01 (1999-2002).