Academic leaders

Professor Alwyn Louw

Vice-Chancellor

Alwyn Louw was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Torrens University in January 2020 following a distinguished 20-year career in senior academic leadership and management experience. This included serving as President of the University and Academic President at Monash South Africa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research at Vaal University of Technology (South Africa) and Vice Principal at the University of South Africa.

A sociologist by training, Professor Louw has published extensively on a broad range of issues including societal development, gender equity, civil society and community, future of education, new generation universities, research and innovation. Professor Louw is also highly regarded for his work in building new approaches to higher education by ensuring access to high-quality education for all through a deliberate focus shift to inclusivity and affordability.

Professor Louw has extensive private, civic and charitable sector experience including serving as Chair and Director of South Africa Private Higher Education, Chair of Board of Directors for Africa, Operation Mobilisation, President of South African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chair Pro Christo Global Mission and Chair of Cancer Association in Kimberley (South Africa).

Professor Louw studied Sociology (BA Hons and Masters) at the University of the Free State (South Africa) and obtained his PhD in Sociology from Vista University (South Africa).

Professor Dominique Parrish

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic

With a distinguished career in senior academic leadership positions, Professor Dominique Parrish was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, at Torrens University in October 2023.

Prior to her appointment, Professor Parrish served as Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching at Macquarie University, Associate Dean (Education) and Director Learning, Teaching, and the Student Experience, at the University of Wollongong.

A highly qualified educationalist, Professor Parrish has over 35 years of experience designing and implementing programs, solutions, and initiatives to meet organisation, project, program, and curricula outcomes and deliverables. Her research interests include technology-enhanced learning, learning-oriented assessment, student experience and engagement, and leadership and emotional intelligence.

Professor Parrish has served as the President of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) and was a Senior Editor of the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (JUTLP).

Professor Greg Harper

At Torrens, Dr Greg Harper is Dean, Business & Hospitality, following his role as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Business and Entrepreneurship. In this role, he provides educational and academic leadership for Torrens University’s business and hospitality programs. A key focus is the growth of these programs in Australia by providing programs that ensure students are both very employable and resourceful.

These highly valued programs will be delivered in most capital cities and online. A second key focus is developing executive learning and development programs for organisations in Australia. The final key focus is the development of strategies to foster and facilitate industry engagement across the University to enhance the employment outcomes of graduates and to promote industry-engaged research.

Dr Harper is a highly experienced educator, executive, leader, and consultant. The former General Manager of Swinburne Industry Solutions, Greg has held a number of senior executive positions in the public and private sectors: for example, Chief Executive of a large Queensland TAFE Institute and a Senior Executive in the Queensland Department of Education and Training. He is a highly experienced organisational development consultant having worked with some of Australia’s leading corporations. As a leader, Greg’s focus is on developing people by providing coaching and developmental assignments.

Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside

Executive Dean, Design and Creative Technology

Scott has more than 20 years of academic experience, leading various programs, schools and faculties across Europe, Asia and Australia. Trained as an industrial designer, he moved into design management and later acquired a PhD from the Centre for Studies in Higher Education at University of Melbourne. Scott is a strong advocate for internationalisation, industry-engaged teaching, high-quality student outcomes and interdisciplinary research. His own research interests intersect the disciplines of design education, higher education policy, design strategy and innovation.

Professor Matthew Mundy

Matthew joined Torrens University Australia in October 2022. He brings a breadth and depth of academic experience from his previous roles as Academic Director for Monash Online and Education Director for Psychology at Monash University. A cognitive neuroscientist by training, he has built an international reputation for expertise in human learning and memory; as well as in education-focused research of teaching and learning innovation. Prof Mundy’s aim is to infuse research-driven change into tertiary teaching, through understanding of the psychological science behind learning and memory. He is particularly driven to ensure healthy mental health and wellbeing sit alongside effective and engaging learning ensuring high quality outcomes for all students. Prof Mundy studied Psychology and Neuroscience (BSc Hons, MSc) at the University of Liverpool (England) and obtained his PhD in Psychology from Cardiff University (Wales).

Professor Kerry London

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research

Professor Kerry London joined the Torrens University Australia as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) in September 2020. She brings an extensive tertiary experience having held a number of senior leadership roles across Australian Universities.

Professor London is a prolific researcher and an international leader in her research field of the built environment, and particularly design collaboration, project management, technology adoption, ethics, supply chain economics and internationalisation.

She has authored more than 200 peer review publications and currently holds six Australian Research Council grants. She graduated from the University of Newcastle with Bachelor of Science (Architecture), Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Building (Research) and was awarded a PhD from University of Melbourne, Australia.

Dipu Sebastian, PhD

Executive Dean, Global

Dipu Sebastian is a highly experienced executive, leader, consultant and academic and has held a number of senior management positions in academia and industry. He is currently the Executive Dean-Global at Torrens University Australia (TUA) where his role is to build and leverage global academic and industry networks and relationships in key markets. Dipu’s research interest includes transnational education and higher education learning and teaching.

Prior to his appointment current position at TUA, Dipu has worked in senior management and professorial level academic positions within the University sector. He also serves on boards of other Australian higher education providers and has previously consulted with a number of education providers, global companies and international government agencies. He was the director of the largest international student recruitment company in South Asia with a network of over 60 offices across nine countries. After graduating with Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science, Statistics and Mathematics, Dipu completed his MBA with Queensland University of Technology, MEd with Griffith University and a PhD with Deakin University.