The University of Western Australia has appointed Associate Professor Khyber Alam as the new head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Science.
A/Prof Alam is an experienced higher education leader, researcher and clinician with skills in accreditation, lecturing, curriculum mapping and organisational development.
A media release announcing the appointment said he would bring a broad range of expertise to the role, where he would continue to shape the future of higher education, academic governance, health and medical education, research and community engagement.
A/Prof Alam’s approach to leadership is not only centred around academic excellence but also a commitment to advancing social justice, inclusion and global citizenship.
“I see the world as a small home where we all need to learn with each other, collaborate, and support one another,” he said in the release.
“My understanding of leadership is shaped by the belief that access to quality education and healthcare is a fundamental right for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
“I’m dedicated to improving the lives of those from underrepresented and marginalised communities.
“I have a deep love for poetry, science, medicine, research and literature in general.
“As Carl Sagan, the renowned astronomer and science communicator, famously said: ‘for small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love’.
“My philosophy mirrors Sagan’s sentiment as I believe through compassion, understanding, and mutual respect, we can build a more inclusive, just world.”
Born in Pakistan to Afghan refugees, A/Prof Alam’s early childhood was marked by displacement due to the Soviet-Afghan war and subsequent conflict following the September 2001 attacks.
His family fled Afghanistan when he was young and eventually settled in Australia.
As a child in Afghanistan, he experienced first-hand the harsh realities of war, including the loss of loved ones and the trauma of violence.
He recalls studying under a tree during summer and in a tent during the cold winter months.
After completing his Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry, he went on to complete a PhD, Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Master of Business Administration.
A/Prof Alam is committed to improving eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and co-authored the Vision 2030 report, that outlines the aspirations of Indigenous health professionals for the future of eyecare.
The report led to the formation of the First Nations Eye Health Alliance, a peak body for driving eyecare initiatives across Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, A/Prof Alam co-designed the Indigenous Strategy and Cultural Safety curriculum for various UWA health courses, which aims to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in higher education.
He helped to establish permanent eye clinics in collaboration with Aboriginal organisations across WA, providing essential vision care to under-served communities.
“I’ve been part of the UWA community for the past four years and am proud to lead a program grounded in the principles of excellence, innovation, and comprehensive evidence-based patient care,” A/Prof Alam said.
“As a team, we are committed to providing high-quality education and clinical services across various metro and rural clinical sites, including Crawley, Midland, Geraldton, Broome, and Bunbury.
“The Inreach Refugee Clinic, an initiative designed to provide essential eyecare services to individuals from refugee backgrounds, operates in collaboration with A/Prof Hessom Razavi from the Lions Eye Institute and other local community organisations.
“It offers comprehensive eye examinations, treatments, and follow-up care to refugees who may otherwise struggle to access such services.”
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