Executive Committee

Shiyas has been a part of Murdoch University International Study Centre Dubai from its early onset as Financial Controller.  In February 2008, he was appointed AGM – Operations and Finance; responsible for the University’s general administration, corporate affairs and comprehensive financial management.  In January 2010 Shiyas was appointed as Vice President – Corporate Strategy and Finance, he is now responsible for managing the Finance Department and all strategic and expansion projects of the university including, but not limited to, legislation, corporate affairs, corporate financial matters, dealing with financial institutions and other stakeholders. In addition, Shiyas oversees Human Resources, MIS, Risk Management and Internal Audit functions.

The responsibilities of the Vice President - Corporate Strategy and Finance are to work alongside senior management to oversee financial matters and operations and to lead the analyses of new markets, assessment of partnership opportunities and the evaluation of new investment prospects, as well as, all corporate financial needs of the business.

Shiyas has spent several years in the Gulf region and has almost twenty years of industry experience.  Prior to joining Murdoch University, he was employed by Al Siddiqi International in Doha, Qatar. 

Shiyas holds a Master of Commerce degree specializing in Finance, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications.

E-mail: shiyas.kareem@murdochdubai.ac.ae

Raghav started his employment with the University as Project Executive, coordinating the project set-up phase across all departments and providing oversight to external vendor performance. He has since December 2008 been appointed as Strategy & Business Development Manager. His strategic planning role supporting the Pro-Vice Chancellor involves planning of new courses as well as developing strategies to leverage the existing University infrastructure. Specifically he is responsible for the development of business relationships and agent networks for student recruitment, providing intelligence for the expansion plans of the University and ensuring the University meets its student recruitment targets by planning school visits and participating in career fairs and exhibitions in the identified core markets (GCC and the Sub Continent). He also has overall responsibility for Future Students.

Raghav relocated from Chicago where he worked as an Analyst for a Management Consulting and IT Solutions company. He was educated at the Doon School in Dehradun, India and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts.

E-mail: raghav.lal@murdochdubai.ac.ae

Mays joined Murdoch University in September 2008 as the Human Resources & Administration Manager. She manages the Human Resources and Administration Department and is responsible for all HR functions within the University including recruitment, training & development, payroll, employee relations, consultation, establishment of policies & procedures and ensuring adherence to them. She also manages employee related events in addition to looking after the general administration of the University.

Mays graduated in 2000 from College of Dentistry at Baghdad University in Iraq with a distinction and obtained a Master’s degree in Operative Dentistry in 2002. She also holds a PGD in Human Resources Management from Cambridge College in the UK. Before joining Murdoch University, Mays was employed as a Human Resources Manager in several financial companies within the UAE. Her main goal at Murdoch is to create a positive work environment fostering the personal and professional growth of each individual within the organization.

E-mail: mays.alsaffar@murdochdubai.ac.ae

Maisa joined Murdoch Dubai in January 2008. She manages the Marketing Department and is responsible for all aspects of internal and external marketing communications, brand marketing and media relations including advertising, public relations, sponsorship and research. This role includes the development and implementation of the company’s marketing communications strategy including the corporate identity and brand strategy. She is responsible for all media planning and the production of advertising materials as well as managing the University’s website. She is also in charge of organizing corporate and marketing events.

Maisa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in European Studies with French from King’s College London in the UK as well as a ‘Diplôme du Programme International’ from Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) in France. Prior to joining the company Maisa was employed at firms and public sector entities such as ITP Publishing Group in Dubai, Otava Books and Magazines Group in Finland and the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Her experience encompasses public relations, marketing communications, research, brand management, advertising and journalism.

E-mail: maisa.mannila@murdochdubai.ac.ae

Biju joined Murdoch in March 2008. As IT & Technical Manager he is responsible for the management of the University's data, application, network infrastructure and all media facilities. In his current role, Biju has overall accountability for IT & media facilities, strategic growth, and day-to-day management, budgeting and resource management. He ensures proper delivery of technologies such as the enterprise storage system, enterprise backup, disaster prevention, recovery technologies, and enterprise system monitoring and management technologies to all departments and he spearheads the team that provides technical and helpdesk support to all users.

Biju has 12 years of experience in the IT industry mainly on implementing various IT projects on banking sector. He holds Diploma in Electronics Engineering as well as being a certified Microsoft & Cisco System Engineer.

E-mail: biju.veetil@murdochdubai.ac.ae

Sanjay joined Murdoch Dubai in September 2007 as Senior Accounts Officer jointly sharing responsibility for accounts and general administrative start up of the University. Since March 2009 he has been appointed as Assistant Manager – Risk Management & Internal Audit. The new role involves setting up the department while incessantly communicating and consulting with HOD’s, identifying, analyzing, evaluating and treating risks and also monitoring and reviewing them.

Sanjay’s role involves reviewing the functionality of policies and procedures and judging if  there is a need for amending the same as an ongoing process. A part of the strategy is to constantly address day to day issues or incidents brought to the notice of this department.

In his role looking after the Internal Audit Sanjay is involved in monitoring all operating expenses and giving advice to departments as one of the signing authorities.

Prior to joining Murdoch, Sanjay has worked in a variety of fields including the travel and facilities management. He has 16 years of work experience out of which almost 10 years spent in the UAE.

Sanjay holds a Bachelor Degree in Commerce, a Diploma in International Airline & Travel Management with Honours and is currently pursuing his further studies studying for an MBA.