Katherine Olston

As a member-elected Director to the NEAS Board since 2018, Katherine is incredibly proud of the work NEAS has done over the past three years to support members and to enhance the quality reputation of our industry. As a NEAS board director, Katherine has always held our members and students at the centre of what we do, and is proud of the way that, through these challenging times, NEAS has been able to be responsive to member needs while also maintaining a focus on the future, working towards the recovery and strengthening of our industry.

Currently, Katherine is the Director at the Centre for English Teaching (CET) and Head of the Learning Hub at the University of Sydney. She oversees pre-entry English language and academic skills pathways courses and post-entry academic support programs in mathematics and academic skills and language development. Under her directorship, the Centre has proactively responded to the emerging demands placed on the industry, developing flexible, robust initiatives and programmes that are responding to seismic changes in circumstances, at both the national and global level. The Centre continues to lead the industry in innovation by embracing the empowering possibilities of technology to provide quality outcomes to students.

Over the past 5 years, in recognition of CET’s contribution to the industry, the Centre has received a number of awards including, Finalist Language Educator of the Year (PIEoneer Awards, 2020), Innovation and Leadership Award (University English Centres Australia, 2019), Best Practice Award for Excellence in Innovation (ATEM, 2018), Award for Innovation (English Australia, 2017, 2018, 2020), Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Educational Engagement and Innovation (University of Sydney, 2017). CET has also been recognised as a NEAS quality endorsed centre for over 25 years and has three NEAS-endorsed premium products.

Katherine is passionate about advancing the agenda of international education and has over 25 years’ experience in the sector working in a range of English language institutions in Australia and Asia.  She is an active contributor and advocate for the industry, contributing through numerous initiatives, including, as a NEAS member elected Director on the NEAS Board since 2018, as member of UECA (University English Centres Australia), Co-convener of the English Australia Post-entry and Academic English Special Interest Group. She regularly represents CET at industry events through conference presentations, workshops, panels and professional development activities (NEAS, English Australia, IEAA, UECA, AIEC).

Back to AGM