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Conference chairs

Professor Jim Barber

Professor Jim Barber is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of RMIT University. Professor Barber holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology from The University of Adelaide, a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) from Flinders University, and Bachelor of Social Science from RMIT University. He has a distinguished career, having worked extensively in academic management and policy in Australian and Canadian universities.

Before joining RMIT University, Professor Barber was Dean of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, where he contributed significantly to reviews of graduate education, the university budget framework and a range of other organisational units and processes. He was also the Chair of the Deans of Single Department Faculties.

Before the University of Toronto, Professor Barber held a range of other positions in Australia, including Director of a research institute, Head of School, and Associate Dean at Flinders University. He also received Flinders University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000.

Professor Barber is an author of six books and more than 100 journal articles. His book on social interventions in the prevention and treatment of addictions has been reprinted many times and translated into Chinese, Swedish and Spanish. In 2005, he won the Pro Humanitate Award, North America’s highest award for literature in the field of child welfare, for his book “Children in Foster Care” (with Paul Delfabbro).

Professor Sylvester Abanteriba

Professor Sylvester Abanteriba is Director of the RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP) and Research Leader/Professor of Propulsion Systems in the School of Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at RMIT University.

Professor Abanteriba founded RIIERP in 1992 knowing that an increasingly globalised economy needs graduates with work experience in different cultural environments. RIIERP provides students and graduates with the opportunity to undertake industry experience and training projects with companies around the world. The program is now a runaway success. More 1,000 RMIT students have now participated in the program, working at companies outside Australia such as BASF, Robert Bosch, Siemens, Airbus, Nestlé and Volkswagen.

Professor Abanteriba is a world leader in propulsion. His teaching and research work covers piston engines for automotive, marine and power generation applications, jet engines and rocket propulsion, as well as the development of renewable energy devices for environmentally-friendly applications. His work in the tribology of internal combustion engines has been acknowledged globally as groundbreaking.

Professor Abanteriba is the Australian Regional Headquarters President, Fellow and Member of the Board of Directors of the International Energy Foundation. He is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (Association of German Engineers), Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, and Fellowship of Australian Writers.