Australian Data and Cyber Institute Management Committee - Australian Data and Cyber Institute

Stephen Choo, PhD, GAICD

Chief Executive Officer

Stephen joined the Australian Data and Cyber Institute as CEO in April 2023. For the past 35 years, Stephen has gained valuable international work experience in the higher-education, information technology and management consulting sectors.

Stephen’s previous academic and professional roles include Academic Head of Entrepreneurship and Head of Advancement at Curtin University, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia (UWA), Managing Director and Founder of Digital Survey Research Insight, Senior Solution Strategist of Employee Experience at Qualtrics Asia-Pacific & Japan and, Vice-President Solution Design APAC & Managing Director at Korn Ferry Digital Singapore.

Stephen graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Marketing and Master of Commerce in Management from Curtin University and Doctor of Philosophy in International Management from UWA. He is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Stephen is Non-Executive Director at Geniusto and Council Member at WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Between 2012 and 2020, Stephen also served as the inaugural President of UWA Alumni Network Singapore and Chair of UWA Business School Ambassadorial Council’s Singapore Chapter For his work in enhancing the international reputation of UWA Business School within Asia, Stephen was recognised and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce in 2020 and the 2019 UWA Business School Alumni Award.

Ruchi Permvattana, PhD

Academic Director

With an extensive background spanning two decades in the higher education sector, Ruchi brings a wealth of experience to her professional endeavours. She previously held the position of Academic Program Manager for Bachelor of Business courses at Stanley College, where she played a crucial role in shaping and managing the academic programs.

Ruchi’s expertise extends to her role as a Senior Learning Designer at the Centre for Learning & Teaching at Edith Cowan University. In this capacity, she made significant contributions to the development and enhancement of effective learning experiences. Prior to that, she served as a Unit Coordinator and Lecturer at the School of Information Systems at Curtin University, where she shared her knowledge and mentored students.

Ruchi holds a PhD in Information Systems, a Master of Design, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Graphic Design, all earned from Curtin University. This comprehensive educational background has equipped her with a multidisciplinary perspective and a deep understanding of the field.

Driven by her passion for creating positive change, Ruchi is particularly enthusiastic about improving the independence and employability of individuals with a disability.

Sabrina Liu

Administrative & Quality Assurance Manager

Through her involvement in the education sector for more than 15 years, Sabrina has been dedicated to driving changes in education to adapt to a rapidly changing, increasingly connected world. Sabrina is the founder of a proposed school to offer the pedagogy to educate the next generation to be adaptive, creative and resilient. She has worked as a university lecturer and an international student recruiter, and holds a master’s degree in Econometrics from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Sabrina has the passion to catalyse system change and transform the future of educationby mobilising a broad and innovative coalition of stakeholders around new models, new standards and momentum for action. She joined ADCI in May 2023 as the Administration and Quality Assurance Manager and is committed to growing this newly established institute at the forefront of technology change.

Martin Eade

IT Manager

Martin brings over 25 of technical, commercial and corporate IT experience to ADCI. He has substantial experience in the VET and higher-ed sectors, having served as IT Manager at Australian College of Applied Education (ACAE), Australian School of Management (ASM) and Higher Education Learning Institute (HELI). Previously, he served as Chief Technical Officer and Executive Director of an ASX listed company for 6 years, and Company Secretary for 2 years.

Martin is also an accomplished freelance food and travel journalist and photographer, with over 160 articles published in Broadsheet, and is currently a writer and reviewer for the WA Good Food Guide.