our staff

Executive Director 

Since 2002, James has built ICA from the ground up and has served as its Director. 

Email: [email protected]

Principal

Dean – Academic Director

Faiz is working as the Academic Director at the International College of Auckland. He has 20 years of experience in engineering and project management education. Faiz is an international speaker and award-winning instructor. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and has more than 35 certifications in project management, product management, Agile, DevOps, Value steam consultancy, and adult education.

Email: [email protected]

Head of Department – English

Jo Wood is the head of the English department.  She gained her Cambridge (CELTA) teaching certificate in 2003 and has taught general and academic English in a range of settings for reputable schools, colleges and universities since then.  Originally, she is from England, but she has been living in Aotearoa, NZ since 2011.  She is passionate about teaching and loves learning about different cultures.  She has a 4-year undergraduate degree with first-class honors in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Anthropology, a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology, and she has recently achieved a distinction as part of her Diploma in Language teaching (DELTA).  She has taught at universities and colleges in the UK, Poland, Vietnam, and Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Email: [email protected]

Program Leader /Senior Lecturer

Dr. Mustafa has approximately 29 years of academic and industrial experience in the field of engineering, particularly in mechanical and materials engineering. He has extensive experience in teaching, supervising, and co-supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, delivering public presentations, and publishing several works in mechanical and materials engineering. He has made numerous academic and professional contributions to teaching, research, administration, consultancy, conferences, seminars, and other professional services.

Email: [email protected]

Program Leader /Senior Lecturer

Snehalata Thakur is a distinguished senior lecturer and program coordinator at the International College of Auckland. She brings a decade of extensive experience in research and teaching in the field of Civil Engineering. In addition to her academic and professional roles, she is a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, where she is actively engaged in research focused on transportation and evacuation planning in emergencies. She is passionate about knowledge sharing and always believes in growing together. She loves visiting places and exploring new cultures, which enriches her perspective and fuels her dedication to both her professional and personal growth.

Email: [email protected]

Amanda Sun is one of the English teachers at the International College of Auckland (ICA). She holds a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland (UoA), along with a Bachelor of Teaching, and she is a Cambridge-certified English Language Teacher (CELTA Pass A). Her biggest interest in the Language Teaching field is passing on and maintaining Heritage Language(s). Amanda has nearly ten years of experience teaching in the New Zealand school sector, and she still enjoys teaching in class every day. Currently, she delivers NZCEL (New Zealand Certificate in the English Language) programme to students who want to improve their English to perform their daily tasks in New Zealand and to those who plan to have further study opportunities in universities.

Email: [email protected]

Cayla Cao is a CELTA-certified teacher with 17 years of teaching experience. She’s currently holds two master’s degrees: TESOL from the University of Auckland and Translation Studies. She has worked as a teacher for IAUSS (International Association of University Summer Sessions) and Vision Academy since 2019. Before that, she was a lecturer at Jincheng College of Sichuan University for 12 years. She’s good at teaching IELTS, NZCEL and General English. Out of the classroom, she likes hiking, camping, swimming and skateboarding.

Email: [email protected]

Support services Manager 

Lambert has worked in the education industry since 2000, holding senior management positions and collaborating closely with government agencies such as NZQA, Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Work & Income, and Immigration New Zealand. Throughout his career, he has served in various roles including Lecturer, Education Manager, Academic Quality Manager, Director of Education, IT Manager/ Systems Engineer, and Technical Specialist. He is passionate about teaching and has made significant contributions through his diverse roles. Lambert holds a master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and various professional qualifications.

Email: [email protected]

Administration Manager

Jacia Afrin Bristi is a highly esteemed Administration Manager at the International College of Auckland. In addition to her substantial academic and professional responsibilities, she is pursuing a PhD at University of Malaysia Terengganu, focusing her research on the adjustment of international students. Jacia is profoundly committed to knowledge sharing and strongly believes in collective growth. Her dedication to continuously enhancing her skills and consistently exceeding expectations is truly commendable.

Email: [email protected]

Himani Cheema is our Industry Pathway Manager, responsible for building industrial relationships with ICA and its graduates. She holds 6+ years of work experience in the fields of Social work, Media, Logistics and now education. She’s also an MBA graduate from The University of Waikato. Himani coaches our students to not just become better professionals in their respective fields but also better humans. As a part of our student support team, she takes immense pride in grooming students to be great employees to New Zealand employers.

Email: [email protected]

Marketing Director 

Nameet has an MBA with extensive experience in the education sector. His commitment to student success and passion for international education and student well-being is truly remarkable. He has been a trailblazer in guiding students toward achieving their career goals, providing invaluable support in industry pathways and managerial experience. As a professional writer, Nameet published his first book in January 2024, adding yet another dimension to his impressive portfolio. Nameet’s enthusiasm for workshops, engaging in creative conversations, traveling, and cooking cuisines from around the world reflects his dynamic personality and dedication to lifelong learning. His unwavering focus on students and their development makes him an exceptional mentor and leader in the education field.

Email: [email protected]

Kevin Wang is our experienced senior marketing manager looking after mainly our China market. With a Master’s degree of education and twenty years of experience in the international education sector, he has established himself as a pillar within the educational community. Kevin’s expertise lies in his ability to seamlessly blend marketing strategies with student support initiatives, ensuring that educational programs not only reach their target audience but also resonate with them on a personal level. Kevin’s innovative approaches have consistently increased student engagement and satisfaction, guiding countless students through their academic journeys with advice, a listening ear, and a supportive shoulder. His tireless commitment to creating empowering environments demonstrates his dedication to student success.

Email: [email protected]

Bringing over 15 years of experience in business operations and management, including 3+ years in HR employee relations, Ann is honoured to serve as the Senior Marketing Manager at the International College of Auckland. She holds a Master’s in Contemporary International Studies with first-class honors from NZ, and dual Bachelor Degrees in Legal Management and Nursing. Her diverse academic background and commitment to education enrich ICA’s marketing strategies. Experienced in international student recruitment and agent collaboration, Ann fosters inclusivity and innovation, driving the success of ICA’s educational programs. Beyond her professional work, Ann enjoys writing poetry, exploring culinary delights, dancing, immersing in music, and traveling. These passions inspire her creative marketing approaches, engaging international students and advancing ICA’s mission in education.

Email: [email protected]