Governance

Master of Letters – Policy Studies (M.Litt.) University of New England Bachelor of Social Science (B.Soc.Sc) University of New England

Mr Bridge has had 20 years’ experience in leading and managing higher education institutions.. He is currently Managing Director of RTO Advance and served for 6 years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Higher Education Leadership Institute (HELI) , an institute of higher education. Previously, Mr Bridge was engaged by The Entourage Education Group in a number of roles, including Quality Assurance and Governance Adviser, Head of Education and Faculty and Director of Quality Control From 2009 to 2015, Mr Bridge was General Manager of St Patrick’s Institute of Education where he had responsibility for the strategic leadership and operational management. Mr Bridge has extensive experience in leading senior management teams and developing and deploying quality assurance management systems in education. Preceding a career in higher education, Mr Bridge had a range of senior roles with the NSW Government in policy development and executive management with the Premiers Department and in the police and justice portfolios.

Professor Emeritus Zbys Klich, PhD, has held previous appointments as Vice-President of Southern Cross University in Australia, Global Director of Academic Affairs for SAE Institute, and as a Research Fellow at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. His PhD research examined cross-cultural cognitive skills. His teaching, research and publications have been in the areas of intercultural studies, professional learning and professional development, collaborative partnerships between universities with regions as well as with industry groups, and have included work published through the NATO Scientific Studies Division, and with the OECD in Europe. He has been an advisor on several international education projects, has worked as a consultant for national and state government projects in Australia, and has served on Ministerial Advisory Councils for Education. He has been a quality auditor for the Australian Universities Quality Agency, as well as higher education specialist auditor for the Government of Oman.

Mahendra Oli, CEO of Skyline International College (SIC), leverages a rich leadership background in technology, business, and entrepreneurship to drive strategic planning and business operations. With over 16 years of professional experience, Mahendra has held senior management positions at major telecommunications companies in Australia, including roles as Solution Architect, Senior Project Engineer, and Network Engineer. His expertise encompasses strategic panning, financial management, public relations, and partnership  management, ensuring comprehensive success in the educational sector. Oli is also a Patron of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Australia. During his term as NRNA President, he planned, prepared and executed several projects within Australia and overseas, leading a national team of 138 Committee members Australia-wide. He previously acted as the Director and Founder of MyNepal Television (MNTV) Australia. He established MNTV as an internet-based streaming solution (IPTV) and news portal made to support the news and entertainment needs of the Nepali community in Australia. His cultural competence gives him the unique advantage of working with individuals from different cultures by leveraging cultural diversity to ensure the highest levels of student and client satisfaction.

For over 30 years Professor Peter Ryan has been actively involved with a number of higher education providers, specialising in advising on higher education regulatory systems, quality assurance frameworks and good governance in an educational context. As well as serving on a number of higher education boards, Professor Ryan also serves as director and treasurer of an international accreditation body for tourism and hospitality education (THE-ICE). Professor Ryan is a qualified accountant and Fellow of CPA Australia.

Suresh Basnet is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Higher Education Australia (SHEA), a forward-thinking Private Higher Education Provider committed to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant education in Australia. With a strong vision to empower students through accessible and innovative learning pathways, Suresh has been instrumental in shaping the institution’s strategic direction and growth.

Bringing over 20 years of extensive experience in education leadership, business development, and organisational management, Suresh combines entrepreneurial insight with a deep understanding of the evolving higher education landscape. His leadership is driven by a passion for academic excellence, student success, and building meaningful partnerships with industry and community stakeholders.

Under his guidance, the organisation focuses on fostering inclusive learning environments, maintaining rigorous academic standards, and equipping graduates with practical skills aligned to workforce needs. Suresh is particularly committed to supporting international students and promoting global engagement in education.

As a visionary leader, Suresh continues to drive innovation, ensuring that SHEA remains responsive to emerging trends and committed to delivering transformative educational experiences.