2024 Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences HDR Conference

Professor Ataur Rahman

Dr Ataur Rahman is a professor in water and environmental engineering in School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment in Western Sydney University. He obtained his PhD in water engineering from Monash University.

Dr Ataur Rahman has authored 534 publications including 165 ISI listed journal articles, 33 scholarly book chapters and 254 conference papers AND is one of the authors of Australian Rainfall and Runoff (National Guideline). His Google Scholar citations are 8300, with an h-index of 45.

Dr Ataur Rahman is one of the top 2% scientists globally. He has received the Best PhD Supervisor Award from Western Sydney University and The G N Alexander Medal from

The Institution of Engineers, Australia for his research in statistical hydrology. He has supervised 23 PhD students to completion and currently supervising 8 PhD students and is serving in the editorial board of three ISI listed journals.

Ataur Rahman presentation

Mark Ovens

Mark Ovens is Business Manager NSW/ACT for APR.Intern and with 8 years in the role he has seen a massive increase in program take-up over this period benefiting HDR students, academic mentors, Universities and industry partners.

Mark’s role is focused on matching industry partners with all Australian Universities postgraduate PhD’s and Masters by Research candidates creating research and development internships that are 3-6 months duration. These internships are helping solve real-world problems in all industries and government by interns doing research with academics and industry partners.

With his wealth of experience of over 30 years working both in industry and Universities, he brings a clear understanding of what’s required of students by industry as well as what skills industries are looking for. Academics mentor their student intern as well as building valuable industry networks that lead to many significant University/ Industry on-going collaborations.

Preparation for PhD’s and Masters by Research careers beyond their studies has never been more critical for Australia in all sectors including government, industry, and Universities.

Prior to this role, his background was in HR Consulting and business development as well as 20 years as HR Director Asia/Pacific in pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.

Mark has a BSc. from The University of Auckland, New Zealand, in Psychology, Mathematics, Chemistry & Physics.

Mark Ovens presentation

Asher Gentle

Asher is Director of the Research Commercialisation Enabling team in the Australian Government Department of Education. Asher has extensive experience in university teaching and research matters and most recently was involved in development of the Government’s University Research Commercialisation Agenda, a key reform to create stronger links between universities and industry. Asher is currently responsible for implementation of two measures announced through the Agenda: the National Industry PhD Program and the Higher Education Research Commercialisation Intellectual Property Framework.

Asher Gentle presentation