PROFESSOR ANTHONY BAKER
Emeritus Professor at University of Technology Sydney | formerly Research Scientist at CSIRO | Academic Leader
Professor Anthony Baker is an esteemed Emeritus Professor and former Chair of the Academic Board at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with an illustrious career spanning academic leadership, research excellence, and scientific innovation. Previously he was a Research Scientist at Australia’s national science organization, CSIRO, as part of a lifelong commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Professor Baker was awarded a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His academic journey also included research periods at distinguished institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Bologna, the Australian National University, and the University of Texas at Austin, reflecting a global commitment to scientific inquiry.
Professor Baker holds an honorary Ph.D. from Phranakhon Rajabhat University in Bangkok, Thailand, and he is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and a Member of the Panel of Experts for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in Australia. Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Baker held several prominent leadership roles, including Head of the School of Chemistry and Forensic Science at UTS, Auditor for the Australian Universities Quality Agency, and Chair of the Committee of Chairs of Academic Boards and Senates in NSW and the ACT. He also contributed to the educational landscape through appointments to the NSW Board of Studies and the NSW Higher Education Advisory Committee.
Professor Baker’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious honours and awards, including the Operational Excellence Award as a member of the Rural Medical Training Team at La Trobe University, an Australian Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (awarded at the national level), and multiple Learning and
Teaching Awards from UTS. His influence extended beyond academia into professional associations, having served as a board member for the Royal Society of New South Wales, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) – NSW Branch, the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, and various athletic organizations in Australia.
An accomplished researcher, Professor Baker has authored more than 80 refereed publications, including reviews and book chapters, along with over 80 conference presentations across fields such as coordination chemistry, small molecule crystallography, protein crystallography, history of Australian science, academic governance, and science education. His scientific leadership has been further acknowledged through honours such as the RACI Citation for contributions to chemistry education, the Nyholm Lecture for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and visiting research positions, including at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in the United States. Professor Baker’s career exemplifies a profound dedication to research, teaching, academic governance, and public engagement. His legacy continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and institutional leaders across Australia and beyond.
Professor Anthony Baker is an esteemed Emeritus Professor and former Chair of the Academic Board at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with an illustrious career spanning academic leadership, research excellence, and scientific innovation. He currently serves as a Research Scientist at Australia’s national science organization, CSIRO, continuing a lifelong commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Professor Baker was awarded a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His academic journey also included research periods at distinguished institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Bologna, the Australian National University, and the University of Texas at Austin, reflecting a global commitment to scientific inquiry.
Professor Baker holds an honorary Ph.D. from Phranakhon Rajabhat University in Bangkok, Thailand, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and a member of the American Chemical Society. His current professional affiliations include serving as an Honorary Senior Fellow at the L.H. Martin Institute, University of Melbourne, and as a Registered Expert for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in Australia.
Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Baker held several prominent leadership roles, including Head of the School of Chemistry and Forensic Science at UTS, Auditor for the Australian Universities Quality Agency, and Chair of the Committee of Chairs of Academic Boards and Senates in NSW and the ACT. He also contributed to the educational landscape through appointments to the NSW Board of Studies and the NSW Higher Education Advisory Committee.
Professor Baker’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors and awards, including the Operational Excellence Award as a member of the Rural Medical Training Team at La Trobe University, an Australian Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (awarded at the national level), and multiple Learning and Teaching Awards from UTS. His influence extended beyond academia into professional associations, having served as a board member for the Royal Society of New South Wales, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute – NSW Branch, the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, and various athletic organizations in New South Wales.
An accomplished researcher, Professor Baker has authored more than 80 refereed publications, including reviews and book chapters, along with over 80 conference presentations across fields such as coordination chemistry, small molecule crystallography, protein crystallography, history of Australian science, academic governance, and science education. His scientific leadership has been further acknowledged through honors such as the RACI Citation for contributions to chemistry education, the Nyholm Lecture for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and visiting research positions, including at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in the United States.
Professor Baker’s career exemplifies a profound dedication to research, teaching, academic governance, and public engagement. His legacy continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, educators, and institutional leaders across Australia and beyond.
PROFESSOR MOHAMMAD AHMAD HAMDAN
Dr. Hamdan is a distinguished mechanical engineering scholar with over forty years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. He earned his Ph.D. from Washington State University and has taught at respected institutions such as the University of Jordan, the Applied Science Private University, and the Hashemite University. His expertise covers various areas, including renewable energy, alternative fuels, water and environment, and nanotechnology. He has published more than 185 peer-reviewed research papers. Dr. Hamdan has led several EU-funded projects and held key academic and administrative roles, such as dean, department chair, and advisor. He has contributed significantly to advancing engineering education and sustainable energy research in Jordan. Dr. Hamdan is widely recognized for his contributions, including ranking among the top 2% of researchers worldwide by Stanford University in recent years. Currently, he serves as the President’s assistant for International Projects at Applied Science Private University.