Meet our Program Convenors

Hi, I’m Amanda Oppliger, Program Convenor for Foundations. I have taught Academic Literacy and Communication in the higher education sector for many years. I have 30+ years of experience in teaching at many levels across the educational sector, from kindergarten to master’s level at university. My research was in Australian Aboriginal languages, and I had the privilege to work and publish in that field. I joined SIBT in 2015 and am very proud to be a part of the team here at SIBT.

Hi, I’m Pauline McAlary, the Senior Program Convenor for Business. I have been teaching at SIBT since February 1998 – just passing 26 years! I have extensive industry experience in taxation, legal, commercial and accounting areas. I enjoy helping others and love seeing those ‘light-bulb’ moments when students and colleagues suddenly understand a new concept. I am a Taekwondo master with a Black Belt status and have taught Latin dancing for the last 10 years.

Hi, I’m Dr Saad Odeh, the Senior Program Convenor for Engineering and Information Technology at SIBT. I have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University of New South Wales. I worked as a lecturer and associate professor at different national and international universities and published more than 60 papers and articles in the area of Renewable Energy, Energy Sustainability and Engineering Education. I am the Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, member of Institution of Engineers Australia (IEA), and accredited member of the Australian Building Sustainability Association (ABSA).

Hi, I’m Dr Alan Nixon, the Program Convenor for Communication and Creative Industries. An interesting fact about me is that I joined SIBT in early 2021 to coordinate the Foundation program and began coordinating the SCC Social Science program in 2022. I oversee quality assurance processes for both programs and assist SIBT and SCC students throughout their studies.