Staff Profiles

Phillip Mason

Principal Administrator

Description Pending

Mel Dsouza

Operations Manager

Mel has been heading Canterbury Technical Institute since its inception in 2008. Prior to joining CTI, Mel was heading a Private Training Provider in Auckland, New Zealand since 2001. His experience includes training, project management, sales & marketing, management and operations. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Computing & a Bachelor of Arts. Mel is currently studying his Masters of Project Management.

Gajinder Paul

Director of Student Services

Description Pending

Rahul Fernandes

Student Services Manager

Rahul Fernandes has a master’s degree in Professional Accounting & Business Administration coupled with over four years work experience in domains as diverse as Retail Sales and Corporate Social Responsibility.

An aficionado of performing arts, Rahul enjoys watching plays, playing sport and reading comics.

Jessica McKee

Reception & Office Administrator

Description Pending

Wan Soo Yoo

Information Technology Helpdesk

Wan has been with CTI since March 2009 as an IT Helpdesk after completing a Diploma Degree in IT Networking at Southbank Institute of Technology. Prior to joining CTI, he studied a Bachelor of Information Electronic Engineering and worked as a System Support Engineer for one of the largest IT Company in South Korea where he discovered his love for the IT field.

Wan is a first point of contact for any faults or queries about the IT systems supported by the college. His primary role is to provide technical support on all levels by responding, maintaining and troubleshooting software, hardware and network problems related requests from CTI students, faculty and staff. In his capacity as IT Helpdesk, he is involved with the day to day operation of supporting for software installations, server maintenance, ongoing usability of desktop, monitoring network performance and maintaining network stability. These activities include resolving network and software issues and maintenance of hardware and software.

“I enjoy helping to quickly and cheerfully meet the needs of the students, faculty and staff of CTI. Working for CTI has been interesting, fun, diverse, challenging - and never dull!! CTI has shaped me to what I am today. And of course - I like the people I work with - it’s fun!!!”

Ben O'Neal

Head of Department – Printing & Graphic Arts

Having a lifelong passion for art and design, from a young age Ben trained himself in both traditional and modern illustration and painting. He holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the Australian National University and the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. While studying at university Ben expanded his artistic skills into digital art and website design, and began freelancing as a designer. Since abandoning a career in Psychology to pursue his dream of becoming a graphic designer, Ben has accrued over 6 years of experience in graphic design, including corporate branding, signage, collateral and promotional material, website design and frontend development, advertising, and merchandise artwork.

His background in psychology and design give him a unique and powerful perspective, and a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from and share. Ben loves the challenge and variety that comes with teaching others, and enjoys spending time with his family, riding his motorbike, playing guitar, and digital painting.

Ric Viera

Printing & Graphic Arts Trainer

Description Pending

Gaminee Hapuarachchi

Electronics and Communication Head of Department

Gaminee has been with Canterbury Technical Institute since its inception in 2008.

Gaminee comes with nearly 30 years of teaching experience in electronics and telecommunication engineering. After about 6 years of work experience in Sri Lanka in the broadcasting industry, he started his teaching career as a United Nations Volunteer Instructor and was posted to Papua New Guinea. Since then, he continued to work in Papua New Guinea for the National Telecommunication Training College and the University of Technology and held mostly teaching and academic administration roles. Gaminee has been with the VET sector for many years and has developed and taught in number of competency based education and training programs in electronics and telecommunication. Before joining CTI, Gaminee was the Head of Schools of Telikom Training College in PNG, a registered training organization of City & Guilds of London.

Gaminee is a professional electronics engineer and has registered with Engineers Australia. He holds Bachelor qualifications in Electronics Engineering from Sri Lanka and United Kingdom and a Post Graduate Diploma in Further Education and Training from USQ, Australia.

“I am enjoying teaching at CTI, particularly with the challenge to make students understand electronics in an easy way and to keep their enthusiasm to learn.”

Naomi Poulos

Business Trainer

Naomi teaches the Diploma of Business. She has completed an Associate Diploma of Business (Travel and Tourism), a BA in Psychology and a Certificate IV (Training and Assessment). Her broad professional experience includes management roles in both tourism and retail. Naomi's love of travel and extensive industry experience also lead to a tour guide role for a high-end USA travel company. She had a lot of fun as a tour guide, until she got sick of living out of a suitcase.

Naomi's feet are now firmly planted in Brisbane. She is passionate about teaching and enjoys helping students achieve their learning goals. Her interests include quality time spent with her family, tennis, and planning her next travel itinerary.

Janice Billett

Business Trainer

Jan holds a Bachelor of Business with a Double Major in Marketing and Management from the Sunshine Coast University. She also possesses a Cert IV in Small Business Management and Cert IV in Training and Assessing. For the past 5 years she has run a small business (Jan Billett Solutions Pty Ltd) doing Business Plans and Marketing Plans for start up businesses along with workshops/seminars to assist small business owners.

For pleasure Jan likes reading, tennis and collecting antiques.

Eoin Doyle

Business Trainer

Description Pending

Michael Wapenaar

IT Trainer

Description Pending