Christopher Gaicd

Christopher Vas is Director of the Connected MBA & Industry Executive Programs at the University of Canterbury. He teaches the Data informed Strategy course in the Program.

Chris has lived across Australia-New Zealand, Singapore, India and the Middle East. He was the recipient of the first Australian Government’s Australia-India Endeavour Research Fellowship enabling his research on the ‘Internationalisation of Clusters”. In 2014-15, he was Executive Director and Commissioner on the Second Murdoch Commission studying food security challenges in Asia.

Chris has a wealth of experience engaging with industry designing programs and research initiatives. He co-founded an edtech firm in Singapore which delivers virtual reality & simulation driven training programs.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy - PhD The Australian National University (2008 — 2012)
• Graduate, GAIDC Australian Institute of Company Directors (2021.09)
• Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors Institute of Directors in New Zealand (2020)
• Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Columbia Coaching Certification Columbia University (2013 — 2014)
• Visiting Researcher Harvard University (2011 — 2011)
• Visiting Scholar Stanford University (2011 — 2011)
• Honorary Fellow University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011 — 2011)
• Graduate Certificate Monash University (2006 — 2007)

Companies

• General Manager - WA Food Innovation Precinct Western Australian Food Innovation Precinct (2020)
• Co-Founder, Board Director & Principal Consultant FutureSafe Tech (2017)
• Director - MBA & Industry Programs | Associate Professor University of Canterbury (2019 — 2021)
• Deputy Dean & Director (SCRIPT) Murdoch Singapore (Murdoch University) (2016 — 2019)
• Executive Director & Commissioner; Academic Director Murdoch University (2013 — 2015)
• Policy Resarch Program (PRP) Leader, HC Coombs Policy Forum The Australian National University (2011 — 2013)
• Assistant Director Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (2010 — 2012)
• Engagement Director Indian School of Business (2009 — 2010)
• Academic Registrar / Program Manager - Higher Education & Research/ Senior Policy Adviser Australian Federal Police (2006 — 2009)