Announcing our academic promotions

We are very pleased to announce that the following members of our academic team have been promoted.

Each of these academics has demonstrated ongoing dedication and achievement in teaching, research, industry engagement, and leadership.

This includes developing programmes and courses, designing curricula, supporting academic quality, and taking part in research and collaboration.

They have also strengthened professional and industry connections, building partnerships across New Zealand and overseas. In addition, each has continued their own development while leading projects and supporting and mentoring colleagues.

Bing Dai

Promoted to Principal Lecturer - Applied Management

Bing is known as a key mentor and role model across our departments here at AIC. She sets the benchmark for curriculum leadership and teaching innovation.

Bing’s achievements include:

• Leading the design and development of more than 15 courses across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Leading the Applied Management department to meet the KPIs for academic performance.
• Chairing the Applied Management Assessment Committee.
• Mentoring and guiding colleagues in course coordination, assessment design, research supervision, and peer observations.
• Leading professional development, organising workshops on sustainable feedback strategies, effective collaborative teaching, learner profile and motivation, and academic integrity in the age of GenAI
• Publishing research in AI literacy, learner capability framework, sustainability, financial decisions, and digital transformation.
• Co-editing Rere Āwhio – Journal of Applied Research & Practice.

Omer Altaf

Promoted to Principal Lecturer – Construction

Omer is recognised for his dependable leadership and collaborative contribution to programme management. He demonstrates sustained excellence and innovation in Construction education, bridging academic and industry practice.

Omer’s achievements include:

• Developing and redesigning key courses across Diploma and Degree levels.
• Leading the development of two new micro-credential programmes.
• Publishing regularly in construction and engineering journals.
• Presenting at international and national conferences.
• Collaborating with industry partners for research and curriculum development.
• Organising site visits, guest lectures, and student placements.
• Mentoring new academic colleagues.
• Holding a PhD (Civil Engineering), GDTE, and Bi-Cultural Competency Certificate.
• Being an active member of NZIOB, Engineering NZ, and the NZ Geotechnical Society.

Jimmy Sun

Promoted to Senior Lecturer – Applied Management

Jimmy consistently demonstrates high-quality teaching that is innovative, structured, and learner centred. His integration of real-world business cases, authentic assessments, and data-driven learning experiences has enhanced student engagement and success.

Jimmy’s achievements include:

• Publishing in respected journals.
• Co-authoring conference papers with students and colleagues.
• Thesis supervision.
• Participating in the international research community.
• Being on the Smart Sustainable Development Conference Committee.
• Active engagement with industry and the professional community.
• Organising guest lectures and experiential learning opportunities.

Waruni Hewage

Promoted to Senior Lecturer – Information Technology

Waruni’s leadership as Programme Manager, combined with her reflective and learner-centred approach to teaching, has strengthened the quality and delivery of our IT programmes.

Waruni’s achievements include:

• Playing a key role in the development of the new Master of AI-Integrated IT Solutions programme.
• Serving on the Applied Management Assessment Committee.
• Mentoring colleagues.
• Publishing in high ranked journals.
• Leading an externally funded project.
• Supervising student research.
• Being a key member of the Smart Sustainable Development Committee.
• Engaging in inter-departmental collaborative research activities.
• Involvement in submitting external funding applications.
• Engaging in reviewing research articles for international conferences.

Asanthika Imbulpityia

Promoted to Senior Lecturer – Information Technology

Asanthika’s innovation in moderation processes, commitment to AI-resilient assessment design, and mentoring of new academic staff have also had a lasting impact on teaching quality across the department.

Asanthika’s achievements include:

• Helping to lead the development of the Master of AI-Integrated IT Solutions suite.
• Designing a new UX Engineering course.
• Peer-reviewed publications.
• Cross-institutional collaborations.
• Involvement in external research funding applications.
• Supervising postgraduate students.
• Participating in an externally funded project
• Being a key member of the Smart Sustainable Development Committee.
• Active involvement in professional bodies.
• Holding a PhD from AUT and a Certificate in Bicultural Competency.

Firas Almughrabia

Promoted to Senior Lecturer – Construction

Firas is considered a highly reliable educator who consistently delivers quality teaching and curriculum leadership within Construction.  He demonstrates strong industry engagement and brings his industry knowledge into the classroom.

Firas’s achievements include:

• Successfully developing and remodelling multiple Construction courses.
• Co-authoring peer-reviewed papers.
• Presenting at ITP Symposium and internal research forums.
• Supporting others with research.
• Providing structured onboarding and peer mentoring within Construction.
• Leading industry field learning and site visits.
• Being an active member of NZIOB and Engineering New Zealand.