Industry Experts in Residence™
Bring your real-world experience into the classroom – without changing your day job.
We're building a network of professionals who are shaping the future of education — one guest talk, one review, or one student event at a time.
Not a Lecturer. Not a Career Coach. Just You — at Your Best.
Today’s students need more than lectures. They need access to the people doing the work — the data analysts, product managers, startup builders, and cybersecurity engineers.
With Industry Experts in Residence™, you don’t need to teach — you just need to show up, share your story, and shape their journey.
What This is?
Industry Experts in Residence™ is a volunteer-based network of professionals across tech, business, and design who want to give back to education. We bring your voice — your work — into real classrooms, internships, and student events, making learning more job-ready and grounded in reality.
Whether you give 15 minutes or 2 hours, your presence makes a difference.
Simple, Flexible Ways to Get Involved
Choose one or all. There’s no long-term commitment — only real impact.
Guest Appearances in Classrooms
15 min Q&A or full tutorial session
Judge Student Presentations
Hackathons, pitch nights, and internships
Review Projects & Challenges
Give feedback before students start
Speak at Events or Podcasts
Share what your job actually looks like.
Career Role Model
Help demystify what it takes to succeed in your field.
What You'll Get
Recognition. Connection. Fulfilment.
Who We're Looking For?
You're Perfect for This If You’re a...
Meet Dr. Mo
The Visionary Behind Industry Experts™
Empowering Academics to Connect Education with Industry
Dr. Mohammad Motahar (Dr. Mo) is the creator of Industry Experts™ — a movement designed to bring educators into closer collaboration with real-world innovation, helping students experience the power of applied learning. With a deep passion for bridging academic knowledge and industry practice, Dr. Mo invites fellow academics to play a more active role in shaping job-ready graduates.
A Leader in Experiential Education
- Academic & Industry Connector
With over 25 years of experience in higher education and tech innovation, Dr. Mo has worked with world-class institutions including:- Australian Space Agency
- NASA
- AT&T
- Ministry of Science
-
United Nations University
-
Award-Winning Educator & Innovator
Recognised across Australia and internationally for transforming education through practical programs that mirror real-world scenarios. -
Founder of Transformative Learning Programs
- One-Day Internship™
- AutoPilot™
- Lab Booster
- Accelerate Internship Program
Each initiative empowers students to gain real skills, solve authentic challenges, and work with actual employers.
— Dr. Mo
Explore Upcoming Work-Simulated Hackathons
Join upcoming events where you can contribute your expertise, support student learning, and record your involvement as part of your professional development activities.
Register your interest today to be notified about relevant hackathons and experiential learning events aligned with your field.
Testimonials
Brenden Aldridge
Judge, One-Day Cybersecurity Internship
“What you’re doing here is truly amazing. These challenges reflect real industry expectations. As a consultant, I often take part in client meetings and presentations—just like what we did today.”
About Brenden:
Brenden began his cybersecurity career as an analyst in a Sydney startup. He now works in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), managing ISO 27001-based security systems for a leading Australian water solutions company. He combines strong technical skills with a talent for clear, non-technical communication.
Note from Dr. Mohammad:
Brenden has been a dedicated cybersecurity professional and lifelong learner since I met him in 2021. He’s always generous with his time—offering mentorship, support, and smiles wherever he goes. We’re grateful for his continued involvement and look forward to welcoming him again as an industry judge.
Andres Lombana
Guest Lecturer, One-Day Internship – Business Analyst
“I’m happy to be a guest lecturer and share what the real job of a business analyst looks like.”
About Andres:
Andres is a Business Analyst with 5+ years of experience delivering technical solutions across government, healthcare, education, and finance sectors. He has led end-to-end projects involving payment systems, mental health applications, and large-scale education platforms, working closely with cross-functional teams using Agile, Waterfall, and PRINCE2 methodologies.
Note from Dr. Mohammad:
Andres not only shared his strategic mindset through real initiatives like Cititrails, but also empowered students with practical tools—such as SMART Goals and the STAR Method—to boost their confidence and employability.
Join the Industry Experts in Residence™ Network
Help shape the next generation of talent by contributing your time, experience, and real-world perspective. Be part of student showcases, mentoring events, and classroom talks — all without needing to become a full-time educator.
Your contributions will be recognised with a Certificate of Contribution and invitations to future curated events.