Rob Kellas

Rob is a Programme Lead at the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking (d-school) at UCT, where he creates and leads design thinking programmes. As a facilitator he has led programmes in Germany and South Africa with a focus on helping individuals and teams use design thinking to discover new solutions to wicked problems, practice multi-disciplinary collaboration, and to embody the mind-sets and skills required to be better change agents in increasingly complex and ambiguous environments.

Rob holds an MA in English Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at UCT.

Experience

Design Thinking Consultant

• Company NameSwitch Innovation
• Dates EmployedFeb 2019 – Present
• Employment Duration4 mos
• LocationJohannesburg Area, South Africa

Programme Lead at the d-school

• Company Name University of Cape Town
• Total Duration3 yrs 5 mos
• Dates EmployedFeb 2019 – Present
• Employment Duration4 mos
• LocationThe Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the University of Cape Town

Programme Manager at the d-school

• Dates EmployedJan 2016 – Jan 2019
• Employment Duration3 yrs 1 mo
• LocationThe Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking at the University of Cape Town

External Rater (Freelance)

• Company Name Pearson Education Services Private Limited
• Dates EmployedNov 2014 – Mar 2015
• Employment Duration5 mos
• Participated in several rounds of a project to rate CEFR descriptors for the new Academic ​and General ​Syllabi.

English Instructor

• Company Name Soka University
• Dates EmployedApr 2013 – Feb 2014
• Employment Duration11 mos
• LocationTokyo, Japan
• [World Language Center]

Planned and implemented four courses, including Business English and EAP classes. Cultivated note taking and improved academic writing skills. Developed test-taking tactics and provided guided practice for the TOIEC test.

Part-time Lecturer

• Company Name Waseda University
• Dates EmployedApr 2013 – Feb 2014
• Employment Duration11 mos
• LocationTokyo, Japan
• [Center for English Language Education in Science and Engineering]

Coordinated a project-based course to Engineering students, using cooperative learning strategies and scaffolding material, so as to help students conduct, write and present small research projects in English.

IELTS Examiner

• Company Name Eiken Foundation of Japan (freelance)
• Dates EmployedFeb 2013 – Dec 2013
• Employment Duration11 mos
• LocationTokyo, Japan

Interviewed test candidates to assess English oral proficiency, in terms of four band descriptors: fluency, lexical resources, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Certified as a speaking examiner January 2013.

English Instructor

• Company Name Rikkyo University
• Dates EmployedApr 2010 – Sep 2013
• Employment Duration3 yrs 6 mos
• LocationTokyo, Japan
• [Center for English Discussion Class]

Facilitated topic-based English discussion classes to small groups of students. Developed supplementary materials and student-centered lesson plans. Provided feedback that raises awareness and promotes autonomous learning. Conducted research related to formative feedback strategies and fluency. Lead faculty development sessions on teaching strategies and on fluency.

English Instructor

• Company Name Kumamoto Gakuen University
• Dates EmployedApr 2008 – Mar 2010
• Employment Duration2 yrs
• LocationKumamoto, Japan

Taught academic writing; integrated vocabulary and grammar into course content; and provided weekly written feedback on writing assignments and writing portfolios

English Instructor

• Company Name Kumamoto University, JAPAN
• Dates EmployedOct 2007 – Mar 2010
• Employment Duration2 yrs 6 mos
• LocationKumamoto, Japan

Designed and implemented course content for Oral Communication, Presentation, and TOFEL classes; facilitated learning opportunities; provided individual feedback; developed critical thinking skills; and conducted assessments.

Teacher

• Company Name Freedom English School
• Dates EmployedSep 2007 – Mar 2010
• Employment Duration2 yrs 7 mos
• LocationKumamoto, Japan

Taught students of various levels in group and private lessons; integrated the four-language skills into structured 50 minute lessons; and, provided supplementary material to drill language skills.

Assistant Language Teacher

• Company Name Japan Exchange and Teaching Program(me) (JET)
• Dates EmployedJul 2004 – Jul 2007
• Employment Duration3 yrs 1 mo
• LocationKumamoto, Japan

Created and coordinated lesson plans; designed and evaluated written term-end examinations; and lead the English Club.

Education

Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town Degree NameMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Field Of Study(Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship) Dates attended or expected graduation 2014 – 2014

Dissertation titled: "Lean in the Hospitality Industry: Implementing lean thinking tools at the Vineyard Bakery." (A Teaching Case)

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management Degree NameMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.), International Exchange Field Of Study(Strategy and Innovation) Dates attended or expected graduation 2015 – 2015

MBA International Exchange Programme

University of the Witwatersrand Degree NameMaster of Arts (MA) Field Of StudyEnglish Literature Dates attended or expected graduation 2003 – 2004

Activities and Societies: Wits Exploration and Expedition Society - Secretary (2003) Dissertation titled: "The Emergence of the Subject in Selected Work by Virginia Woolf: A Lacanian Reading."

Received:

Harold & Doris Tothill Bequest Fund Scholarship for academic achievement – 2003 University Postgraduate Merit Award – 2003

University of the Witwatersrand Degree NameBA Hons. Field Of StudyEnglish Literature Dates attended or expected graduation 2002 – 2002

Activities and Societies: Wits Exploration and Expedition Society - Committee Member Received the University Postgraduate Merit Award – 2002