The power of two: Grace McCarthy and Payyazhi Jayashree’s impact on UOW

When Professor Grace McCarthy picked up the phone to call her counterpart in Dubai about a routine quality assurance matter, she couldn't have known it would spark a 15-year collaboration that would transform transnational education at the University of Wollongong.

“We hit it off instantly!' recalls Professor Payyazhi Jayashree (Jaya), Dean of the School of Business at UOW Dubai, whose partnership with McCarthy has helped erase the concept of a branch campus in favour of a truly global university.  

In this lively chat, Professor McCarthy, Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, and Professor Jaya reflect on their journeys, leadership, and the legacy they’re building together.  

Grace’s journey at UOW began in 2005 when she spotted a casual lecturer job ad.   

“We had just moved to Australia from England, and I wasn’t planning to work immediately. But then I saw this ad for a teaching position—only problem was, the subject started in two weeks!” she laughs. “I thought, ‘Why not?’ and just jumped in.”  

For Professor Jaya, the UOW adventure started in 2007 when she joined UOW Dubai as an Assistant Professor.   

“What struck me from day one was how globally connected the University was,” she recalls. “I had taught before, but this was my first experience working within a transnational education system—it was both exciting and a little overwhelming!”  

The first time Grace and Jaya connected, it wasn’t over coffee or at a conference—it was through a quality assurance exercise.   

“I saw Jaya’s name in the paperwork and realised we were both teaching the same subject—Managing People in Multinational Organisations,” Grace says. “So, I picked up the phone, and that conversation changed everything.”  

“Instead of treating quality assurance as a tick-box exercise, we saw it as an opportunity to truly collaborate,” Jaya recalls. “We wanted to create value for our students, not just match slides and assessment criteria.” 

Grace and Jaya with alumni and UOWD President Professor Mohamed-Vall M. Salem Zein at an Iftar dinner

Over the years, their professional relationship evolved into a powerhouse of innovation and ideas to make their respective business schools a great success. Together, they led co-teaching initiatives, aligned curriculum, and helped transform UOW Dubai into a model of transnational education.  

“We never saw Dubai as just a ‘branch campus’—it’s an essential part of UOW,” Grace says. “When we designed new courses, we made sure Dubai wasn’t just involved but sometimes even leading the change.”  

“We built a culture where learning flows in both directions. Whether it’s research, accreditation, or student experience, we ensure that what we create is meaningful for both Australia and Dubai,” Jaya adds.  

Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed—UOW’s School of Business is now recognised as a leader in transnational education, with international accreditation bodies praising their innovative approach. This respectful collaborative partnership approach is embedded across their schools in a deep and sustainable way which will last beyond their individual tenure because it adds value and is not just a ‘nice to have’.  

Over their many years at UOW, Grace and Jaya have had plenty of standout moments—some profound, others just plain funny.  

One particularly memorable experience? A rainy day in Dubai.  

“Jaya was so excited to take me to this stunning spot called Blue Waters,” Grace recalls. “It’s supposed to have beautiful views, but the moment we stepped outside, the heavens opened up. It was torrential rain—worse than anything I’d seen in Ireland!”  

Jaya still finds the moment hilarious. “I was so eager to show off Dubai’s beautiful sunshine, and instead, Grace got caught in what was probably the city’s worst rains in years!”  

Beyond the laughs, both professors take immense pride in the impact they’ve had—whether it’s mentoring early-career academics, helping shape new courses, accelerate research impact or ensuring students receive a world-class education no matter where they study.  

Both have deep admiration for each other’s leadership styles.   

“Grace is fearless, empathetic, and genuinely inclusive,” Jaya says. “She doesn’t just talk about equity—she lives it. Her leadership has made UOW a better place for staff and students alike.”  

“Jaya is an unstoppable force of energy and vision,” Grace says. “She doesn’t accept the status quo—she challenges it, always looking for ways to make things better.”  

With Grace set to retire soon, she hopes to continue working with Jaya in an honorary capacity.  “We’ve built something bigger than just the two of us. This is about UOW’s future. Hopefully we can also build on our research collaboration particularly in relation to women in leadership and in relation to transnational education.”  

If they could send a message to the Dean of Business in 2075, what would it be? 

“Be human. Respect others. Listen,” Grace says.  

Jaya keeps it simple: “Keep learning. Add value. Be the change.”