ACADEMIC BOARD
Professor Gary O’Donovan (External) (Chair)
PhD, Victoria University; GradDip (Commercial Data Processing), Footscray Institute of Technology; GradDipEd, Western Australian Institute of Technology; BBus (Acc), Footscray Institute of Technology
Professor O’Donovan has a part-time role as Academic Lead – Accreditation at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). He joined UTAS in 2003, and during his time at UTAS he held several senior positions, including Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education) where he was in charge of the University’s teaching and learning operations and international marketing and recruitment, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) in charge of international teaching and research partnerships. He was the Executive Dean (Tasmanian School of Business and Economics) for 9 years over various periods between 2005 and 2015 and he was the Head of the School of Accounting and Finance from 2003-2005. His substantive role is as a Professor of Accounting. He was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor in 2017.
Dr Mohan Dass – (Representative of Teaching Staff)
PhD, Deakin University; MBA, University of East Asia, Macau; BA(Hons), University of Science, Malaysia; GradCertEd (Tertiary), Federation University Australia, Digital Skills & Digital Marketing, Accenture, Online Teaching, University of New South Wales
Responsible for Academic Integrity and Quality. Former Academic Dean, AAPoly. Served in several key public and private sector managerial roles, namely the State Economic Development Authority, Malaysia and HR Manager of an US MultiNational Company. Later served in academia as Deputy Vice President, Deakin University Programs, Malaysia, and Program Director for the Masters of Management at Swinburne University, Melbourne. Experience and expertise in public and private sector management, the promotion of international academia, relationship & management, international partnership development, and academic program evaluation and consultation. Member of Malaysia Australia Business Council and editor board member of International Journal. Areas of research cover international business; change management; marketing; international HR; talent management; and, contemporary teaching and learning.
Associate Professor Sunny Vinnakota – (Academic Dean)
Dr. Sunny Vinnakota is a distinguished academic leader with over 22 years of experience in higher education, curriculum development, and institutional leadership. Currently serving as Academic Dean at Academies Australasia Polytechnic, he excels in teaching, research, and academic administration, with expertise in business, digital marketing, hospitality, psychology, and management. His focus areas include digital transformation, innovation, and quality assurance in education. Dr. Vinnakota holds a PhD (Management & Marketing) (2018), with a dissertation on “Digital Marketing Adoption in an Emerging Economy: Consumer’s Perspective”, and is pursuing a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Business Innovation, along with ongoing studies in Master of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Master of Autism and Neurodivergent Studies. His qualifications include a Master of Education (E-Learning & Digital Pedagogies) (2024), focusing on digital technologies and AI in education, a Master of Tertiary Education (Management) (2022), specialising in quality assurance and institutional leadership, and a Master of Business Administration (Innovation & R&D) (2011), with expertise in strategic marketing and change management. He also holds a Master of Business Hospitality Management (2009), a Master of Arts in Psychology (2012), a Master of Arts in Tourism Psychology (2004), and a Master of Marketing Management (2002), along with multiple diplomas and certificates in community services, early childhood education, marketing, and hospitality management.
Dr. Vinnakota has held leadership roles such as Associate Dean (Education) (2020–2024) and Program and Technology Enhanced Learning Director (2018–2019) at Academies Australasia Polytechnic, driving curriculum innovation and digital learning integration. He has also served as Course Coordinator at various universities in Australia (2015–2018) and Change Management Project Leader at Public Transport Victoria (2008–2010). With over two decades of teaching experience, he has delivered programs like Bachelor of Business and MBA at RMIT University, Charles Darwin University, Charles Sturt University, Federation University, University of Canberra, University of Sunshine Coast, and Victoria University, emphasising innovative pedagogy and digital tools. An active member of professional organisations, including Certified Practising Marketer (CPM) and Academy of Management, Dr. Vinnakota has completed advanced professional development programs, such as Executive Coaching at the University of Cambridge. His expertise includes educational technologies (Moodle, Canvas, Adobe Suite), data analysis (SPSS, NVivo), and project management (PRINCE2, Six Sigma).
Dr. Vinnakota’s research focuses on digital transformation in business, tourism and hospitality innovation and quality assurance in higher education, exploring Digital Learning Technologies, AI in Education, and Digital Pedagogy to enhance teaching and learning through technology-driven solutions.
John G. Adnams OAM
BCom, University of Melbourne; AAIB (Associate of the Australian Institute of Bankers)
Four decades in the Banking Industry in Melbourne, Sydney and New York. Senior positions with the Commercial Bank of Australia Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation (following a merger of the two banks). Former President of the Small Business Mentoring Service with active involvement in mentoring small business in the fields of management and training, finance & accounting, and strategic planning. Various other volunteer roles. In 2013, received Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to business and commerce, and to the community.
Joanna Kelly (Chief Executive Officer)
Grad Dip BA, Torrens University Australia; Masters (Marketing and Management), University of Economics, Poland; Diploma of Community Welfare, MIT International College; Australian Institute of Company Directors; IEAA Fellow
As the Chief Executive Officer of Academies Australasia Polytechnic, Joanna Kelly is responsible for managing the overall operations and resources of the company and its corporate activities. With two decades of experience in international education across Australia and overseas, Joanna Kelly is also the Group General Manager at Academies Australasia, the parent company of AAPoly. She oversees the strategic direction of the group’s English language colleges — including the award-winning Discover English in Melbourne and Language Links International in Perth.
Joanna’s expertise spans marketing, strategic and operational leadership, student services, and quality assurance. Having immigrated to Australia as an international student in 2003, she brings a deep personal understanding of the student experience and is passionate about promoting cultural diversity and championing Australian education globally.
She is a board member at IEAA and a Deputy Chair at the English Australia Board. Joanna is dedicated to strengthening collaboration across the ELICOS, VET, and higher education sectors and ensuring Australia remains a world leader in quality international education.
Moinul Mustafa – (Group Compliance Manager)
Masters (Industrial Relations and HRM), University of Sydney; Master of Information Systems, (University of Wollongong); Bachelor of Business Administration (American International University – Bangladesh); Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Torrens University Australia)
As the Group Compliance Manager, Moinul Mustafa is responsible for compliance and quality assurance of several RTOs and a Higher Education provider within Academies Australasia Group. He has more than a decade of teaching and learning design experience at various Vocational and Higher Education providers in Australia and overseas. He also held Training and VET Coordinating positions for 8 years before moving into the group compliance role. His experience as a VET coordinator involves participating in past ASQA audits and working with learning design projects for several VET qualifications. His experience in compliance and quality assurance includes senior responsibilities in AAPoly’s recent applications to TEQSA for new degrees, VET scope applications to ASQA for several RTOs, and state funding applications.
Alumni Representative
Nominated annually from Academies Australasia Polytechnic graduates.
The Academic Board established the following committee to oversee the implementation of Academic Governance Policies, Processes and Strategies.
