Our Academic Team | De Montfort University

Our Team

Message from the DMU Kazakhstan President

I am delighted to welcome you to De Montfort University Kazakhstan (DMU Kazakhstan) – A UK university in the heart of Almaty, providing high-quality international global higher education locally, enabling our students to adapt in a changing world and to make a positive impact in their communities.

The potential of education to create change and make a positive impact is clear. Here at DMU Kazakhstan we look forward to being part of your journey.

- President Sakina Zafar

Sakina Zafar

President

DMU Kazakhstan is a partnership between EdPeritus UK and De Montfort University. And while DMU Kazakhstan is new, De Montfort University, the first British university to set up and deliver UK qualifications in Kazakhstan, has celebrated its 150th anniversary and has a track record of providing an international learning experience, allowing students to develop and fulfil their potential.

Kazakhstan has made significant steps in realising its ambition to lead international education development and transformation. We believe DMU Kazakhstan is well placed to provide additional support to these efforts.

Our values - teaching excellence, outstanding student experience, highest employability outcome, global mobility and making an impact are at the heart of everything that we do.

Choosing the right university is an important decision in a person’s life. The experience not only develops individuals academically and professionally, but students gain the knowledge, skills and experience to become confident global citizens able to adapt to a fast changing and developing world.

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Please meet Our Team

We take time and effort to recruit the very best people we can. At DMU Kazakhstan we want everyone who works with us to share our passion to encourage students to excel in their areas of interest both academically, professionally and personally. Our team is committed to working together whatever their role, to put the success of our students at the heart of everything we do.

Academic Team

Haina Zhang

Head of Campus

Professor in Management

PhD in Management from University of Otago, New Zealand

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Other Education:

MSc in International Management, University of Reading, UK
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK

International Experience:

Working Experiences: University of Glasgow (UK), Lancaster University (UK), University of Aberdeen (UK)
Research Experiences: UK, New Zealand, China
Teaching Experiences: UK, France, New Zealand, China, Qatar
Academic visits: UK, China, Denmark, Austria, Iceland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand

Manju Etherton

Head of Student and Academic Services.

Masters in English Literature and Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Professional Practice(PGCHE),Coventry University, UK

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Other Education:

CELTA, British Council, Ukraine
International TEFL Training, Thailand
Bachelors of Arts and Education, Regional College of Education ,India
Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy(FHEA),UK

International Experience:

Ukraine, Oman, India

Simon Etherton

Head of Centre for English Language Learning

Masters in Education, TESOL. University of Exeter, UK.

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Other Education:

Post Graduate Certificate in Education, TESL/EFL. Bangor University, UK
BA Hons from School of African and Asian Studies, University of Sussex, UK

International Experience:

United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Oman, India, Solomon Islands

Aizhan Doskozhanova

Kazakh History Lecturer

Associate Professor, PhD in Philosophy

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Other Education:

Master in Philosophy, 2009, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Bachelor of Science in History, 2007, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

International Experience:

Jyvaskyla University (Finland), Minnesota (USA).

Joshua Shagaya Yahaya

Lecturer in Finance

PhD Management Sciences (Finance) from Université Grenoble Alpes, France

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International Experience:

France, Nigeria

Adnane Derbani

Lecturer in Business

PhD in Management, Jenderal Soedirman University, Indonesia

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Other Education:

Master in International Marketing, University of the Littoral Opal Coast, France
Bachelor in Administration and Information Transmission, University of Paris-east Marne-la-Vallée, France

International Experience:

Morocco, France, Indonesia, Vietnam

Saravana Balaji Balasubramanian

Lecturer, Data Analytics

PhD in Information Science and Engineering

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Other Education:

Master of Engineering (Computer Engineering)
Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering)

International Experience:

Iraq, India

Anass Karzazi

Lecturer in Marketing

PhD in Business Administration, Central European University, Austria

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Other Education:

• MBA, CEU Business School, Hungary, Diploma of Postgraduate Studies in Agrofood Marketing, IAMZ, Spain, Agronomy Engineer (MSc), IAV Hassan II, Morocco

International Experience:

• Hungary, Morocco

Dana Suleimen

Lecturer in Kazakh language

PhD in Linguistics from Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland

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Muhammad Usman Zafar

Lecturer in Finance

PhD in Finance from University of Essex, UK

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Other Education:

Masters in Finance & Economics from University of East Anglia, UK
MBA from IIUI, Pakistan

International Experience:

United Kingdom, Pakistan

Stephane Bignoux

Senior Lecturer in Marketing

PhD in Business from Macquarie University, Sydney

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Other Education:

Post Grad Cert in Education from Middlesex University, London
MA in Knowledge Management from University of Technology Sydney

International Experience:

Australia, UK

Sunil Mutharaju Ramapura

Lecturer I IYZ, Computer Science, Cyber Security

PhD (Pursuing) – Internet of Things and Machine Learning, Srinivas University, India

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Other Education:

M.Tech – Computer Network Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University, India
BE – Information Science and Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University, India
Diploma in Computer Science, Department of Technical Education, KA, India

International Experience:

Uganda, India.

Andreas Dimopoulos

Lecturer in Law

PhD in Law from University of Cambridge, UK

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Other Education:

LLM from Edinburgh University, Scotland Fellow of the HEA

International Experience:

Greece, Saudi Arabia, UK

Meganathan Ramasamy

Lecturer in Computer Science

PhD Computer Science from Sri Satya Sai University, India

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Other Education:

M.Tech (Cyber Security)
M.S (Software Systems)
Cisco Certifications: CCAI, CCNP, CCNA
EC-Council
Certifications:ECAI,CEH(Master),CSA,CHFI,ECSS,EDRP,VOIP,Wireless,Security5
LPI Certifications: LE, LPI-I
Codechef: 4 Star Rating

International Experience:

India, Oman, Ethiopia

Benedict Potter

EAP Lecturer

MA (Hons) in Classics from the University of Edinburgh, UK

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Other Education:

Cert. TEFL from the University of Central Lancashire, UK
Currently studying a DELTA with Cambridge University, UK

International Experience:

fifteen years teaching, examining, and exam writing in Japan, China, Thailand, UK, Italy.

Faina Iasen

Program Leader | BA Graphic Design and Illustration

BA (Hons) Product design - University of Hertfordshire, UK

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Other Education:

Pre-Foundation Art & Design – British Higher School of Art and Design – Moscow, Russia
Foundation Art & Design – British Higher School of Art and Design – Moscow, Russia

International Experience:

UK, USA, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Ukraine, Dagestan – Freelance & contract Graphic and Industrial design.

Aigerim Tumenbay

Lecturer in Graphic Design & Illustration

BFA Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI, USA

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International Experience:

USA, Kazakhstan

Zhanar Bereketova

Lecturer in Graphic Design

BA (Hons) Graphic Design, University of Hertfordshire, UK

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Other Education:

Associate Fellowship, Advance HE, UK

International Experience:

UK, Russia, experience of international exhibitions (USA, Czech Republic, Brazil, Slovenia, Iran, Germany, Brazil, Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria)

Kolawole Adegoke

Lecturer in Accounting & Finance

MBA, Finance/Data analytics from Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, Malaysia

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Other Education:

Chartered Financial Analyst, CFA Institute

International Experience:

Managing projects across Asia & Africa – Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia

Martin Hill

EAP Lecturer

MA in English Linguistics - Birmingham City University

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Other Education:

MBA - Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
BA (Hons) Latin - Exeter University
Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language - Inlingua Cheltenham

International Experience:

United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan, China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, USA, Qatar, Greece

Mikhail Bondarenko

Lecturer in Finance, Accounting and Business

Masters (MBA)

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Other Education:

M.B.A, Cranfield School of Management, 2011
M.A. in English Linguistics & Intercultural Communication, Moscow State Linguistic University, 2003

International Experience:

U.K., Russia.

Sameer

Lecturer I IYZ, Computer Science, Cyber Security

Master in Computer Application from Nalanda Open University, India

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Other Education:

Microsoft Certified : Azure Developer Associate certification, Oracle 12c Database Associate certification

International Experience:

Uganda, India.

Ramilison Emilli Monica

Program Leader - IYZ Art and Design

BA (Hons) Product Design

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Other Education:

Foundation Art & Design at British Higher School of Art & Design
BHSAD (University of Hertfordshire) - BA Product Design Student Fellow
BHSAD (University of Hertfordshire) - 3D Prototyping workshop Technician & Instructor
BHSAD (University of Hertfordshire) - Ceramic workshop Technician & Instructor
Make Fabrication Studio – Teens Product Design Camp – Lecturer & Instructor
‘BERENDEY’ Cultural Center – Head of Product design department, Lecturer.

International Experience:

United States of America, Italy, Dagestan, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates.

Egor Seleznev

Lecturer in Photography

Specialist - Cinematographer (Hons)

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Other Education:

All Russian State University of Cinematography named after S.Gerasimov VGIK, Moscow, Russia

International Experience:

Russia, Latvia, Estonia

Sara Tirone

EAP Lecturer

MA (Hons) Foreign Languages and Literature – University of Turin

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Other Education:

DELTA Module 1 – Cambridge University
DELTA Module 3 – English for Academic Purposes – Cambridge University

International Experience:

China, Italy, Thailand, UK

Mohammad Sarshar

Lecturer in Law

Master of Laws from University of London

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Other Education:

Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching

International Experience:

Claudette Clerc

EAP Lecturer

MA Creative Arts from San Francisco State University

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Other Education:

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning from | RMIT International University
Certificate in English Language Teaching (CELTA)| RMIT International University

International Experience:

USA, Turkey

Rafael Ruiz Velasco Santacruz

Lecturer in Business

Master in Project Management from La Salle Ramon Llull University, Spain

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Other Education:

MBA from Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, Malaysia

International Experience:

Germany, USA, Malaysia, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala, Chile

Ashman Wan

Lecturer in Marketing

MBA from Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, Malaysia

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Other Education:

Bachelor (Hons.) of Mass Communication, Public Relation from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM)

International Experience:

Malaysia

Devika Bade

Lecturer in Marketing

MBA from Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, Malaysia

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Other Education:

Bachelor of mass media, Mass Communication/Media Studies from St. Xavier's College

International Experience:

Malaysia, India, UK

Gulnar Myrzakulova

Lecturer in Kazakh language

Master's degree in Pedagogy from Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abai

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Jeffrey Martin

EAP Lecturer

Master of Education in Applied Linguistics from Temple University, USA

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Other Education:

CELTA (Certificate English Language Teaching to Adults), Royal Society of Arts and Cambridge University, UK

International Experience:

USA, Japan, UAE, China, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Nepal, Thailand

James Obuobie

Lecturer in Finance

Master of Science in Investment Management from University of London, UK

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Other Education:

Master of Business Administration (Finance Major) from University of Wales, UK
Executive Certificate in Financial Technology Innovation from Judge Business School

International Experience:

UK, Ghana

Professional Services Team

Anfissa Volkova

Lawyer

Anuar Serzhanuly

Finance Director

Mariza Sugraliyeva

Marketing and PR Director

Bekzat Baiguttinov

Head of Admissions Team

Yeldos Amangeldyyev

Head of Creative Team

Aliya Karbozova

Head of Methodology Compliance

Akmaral Oralbek

Head of HR Department

Maulen Zhussupov

Head of IT

De Montfort University Leicester - Management and Support Team

Ian Thomas

Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Business and Law, De Montfort University Leicester

Ian is a member of the Faculty Management Board and the Faculty Executive and Chairs the Faculty International and Faculty Collaborative Provision Boards. At institutional level, Ian is a member of the International Strategy Group, International Recruitment Committee, Global Partnership Advisory Group and the China Strategy Working Group.

Teaching experience has included delivering Management Skills and Managing People modules at postgraduate and undergraduate level as well as on undergraduate programmes overseas, mainly in partner Chinese universities, as a result of which Ian was made a Visiting Professor of Beijing City University in 2011.

Ian was also a Faculty Member of the Association of MBAs international Accreditation Panel between 2001 and 2013. This work involved assessing the quality of MBA and MSc provision at business schools in the UK, Europe and internationally.

After completing his MBA degree at Aberystwyth University in 1999. Ian then directed the postgraduate programmes and international strategies in the business schools at Aberystwyth University and Swansea University before joining DMU as Associate Dean, International in 2019.

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Washad Emambocus

Associate Professor in Enterprise, Faculty of Business and Law, De Montfort University Leicester

Dr Washad Emambocus is an Associate Professor in Enterprise and Departmental Resourcing Coordinator for Management and Entrepreneurship and Corporate and Apprenticeship.

He has more than 10 years’ experience in teaching areas in Management Science, Operations Management and Project Management. As a module leader, his teaching focus relates to Service Operations Management and Business Research and Analytics. Dr Washad Emambocus works in the development and planning of Corporate and Apprenticeship programmes at DMU. He is involved in client management and external network building.

Washad is an experienced coach and mentor and provided coaching and mentoring sessions to executives and managers at various organisations. He has around 5 years’ experience in Higher Education and executive coaching practice. He acquired his training from London South Bank University facilitated by ‘Graydin – coaching in Education’. Washad collaborated at embedding coaching in Higher Education and collaborated on a module for teaching coaching skills to undergraduate students.

The module specialised on equipping students with coaching skills relevant for their studies, career and personal growth.

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Nas Harrison

Associate Professor in Transnational Education, Faculty of Business and Law, De Montfort University Leicester

Following a successful career in Retail Management in London, Nas Harrison joined the Business & Law Faculty in 2009 as an associate lecturer in marketing. Over the years she has been teaching and leading marketing programmes, especially in areas of Customer Relationship Management and Retail Marketing.

In her current role as an Associate Professor in Transnational Education with the Faculty, she plays a vital role in the delivery and continued development of the Faculty and the institutional TNE growth strategy.

Nas is responsible for the innovative development and management of teaching and learning activities that cater to students from diverse and international backgrounds.

Nas is accountable for overseeing DMU courses' academic quality taught at TNE partners and ensuring that they align with Faculty and University strategic plans. She has extensive knowledge of TNE at an operational, academic and strategic level, as she has led and delivered large scale TNE projects for the Faculty.

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Richard Cross

Interim Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media, De Montfort University Leicester

Dr Richard Cross’s research career has been focused on the growth of thin films for electronic devices such as thin film transistors (TFTs); mainly hydrogenated amorphous silicon and zinc oxide.

His main interests now lie in the novel growth of nanoscale materials. Of particular interest going forward will be exploring the nano-bio interface, i.e. interfacing directly nanoscale materials/devices with biological systems. Examples would be neuronal interfaces and structures for intracellular recording/biomarker detection.

He is member of Material Research Society and Emerging Technologies Research Centre (EMTERC).

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Dr Abdulaleem (Aleem) Al-Othmani

Senior Lecturer in Computer Science (TNE), Faculty of Engineering and Media, De Montfort University Leicester

Dr Abdulaleem Al-Othmani is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science (TNE) at De Montfort University. He is the programme manager for all APU/DMU dual award computing programmes.

Dr. Aleem received his BSc. degree in Computer Engineering from University of Baghdad, Iraq, in 2002; and his Master in Computer Science (Information Security) and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2010 and 2016 respectively.

Before joining De Montfort University in March 2021, he was a Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity and Software Engineering, and the Programme Coordinator for PhD and Master of IT at University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), and he also held a Lecturer position at Asia Pacific University (APU) in Malaysia.

His research interests include steganography, digital watermarking, data leak prevention, machine learning in cyber security, and speech signal processing. His recent externally funded project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for data leak prevention in Malaysian higher educational institutions using semantic analysis. Dr Aleem has supervised over 20 PhD and Master theses, and more than 50 Bachelor dissertations.

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