Wagdy Samir, AIOCS Director of Orthodox Studies

Qualifications

PhD (Theology), The Sydney College of Divinity, 2021 (The Dr Beth Blackall Memorial Prize for best dissertation)

MBA (Full-time), Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South West, 1996 (focused on strategy & finance; finished in the top 10—Dean’s List)

PhD (Mathematics), University of New South Wales, 1993 (published ten papers during the candidature)

BE (Hons), University of New South Wales, 1987 (High Distinction for thesis & published a conference paper)

Theological Accomplishments

Publications

Samir, Wagdy. Divine Participation: A Reconstruction of St Cyril of Alexandria’s and Fr Matta al-Miskīn’s Commentaries on the Gospel of St John. Texts and Studies in Eastern Christianity Series. Brill Academic Publishers, forthcoming.

Samir, Wagdy. “Divine Participation: the Indwelling of the Spirit in Father Matta al-Miskīn’s Theology against the Backdrop of the Cyrilline Legacy.” Phronema 40, no. 1 (2025), forthcoming.

Samir, Wagdy. “A Tribute to the Ecumenical Openness of a Coptic Orthodox Giant: Fr Matta al-Miskīn.” In A Celebration of Ut unum sint: The 25th Anniversary, ed. Doru Costache and Diane Speed. Sydney: NSW Ecumenical Council’s Theological Reflection Commission, 2020; second edn 2022.

Samir, Wagdy. “St Cyril of Alexandria on the Eucharistic Context of Humankind’s Union with the Divine in Commentary on John.” In The Impact of Jesus of Nazareth: Historical, Theological and Pastoral Perspectives, vol. 2, ed. Peter G. Bolt and James R. Harrison. (Macquarie Park: SCD Press, 2022: 199- 226.

Memberships and Offices Held

Member, The International Association of Patristic Studies, 2021-current

AIOCS Director of Orthodox Studies, 2021-current

Prizes and Grants

Beth Blacknall Prize for the best PhD Dissertation (June 2022)

Australian Research Theology Foundation Inc Grant (2022-2023)

Blog Posts

Various essays published by the Australian Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (AIOCS), on Fr Matta al-Miskīn’s contributions, 2021-current.

Guest Speaker

“Fr Matta and the Alexandrian Tradition.” Course The Alexandrian Legacy, St Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological College, 28 October 2021.

Popular Outreach

Leading Bible studies and fellowships, 1990s-to date, at the St George Coptic Orthodox Church, Kensington NSW, and other Coptic Orthodox Churches

Professional Experience

Klarrio Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, CEO & Co-founder, 2018–2024

Ventures Strategy & Execution Asia (VSEA), Co-founder, 2015–2017

Cisco Systems, APAC, Managing Director, Technology Solutions, 2012–2014

Technicolor, Paris, SVP, Global Strategy & Corporate Development, 2008–2012

Cisco Systems, APAC, Principal Management Consultant, 2006–2008

Alcatel, A/NZ, Business Development Director, 2002–2005

eSolutions (start-up), APAC, Senior Business Development Manager, 2001–2002

IBM Global Services, Australia, Strategy & Mangementt Consulting, 1997–2001

Research/Academic Roles, University of New South Wales, 1988 –1996 (Research engineer; Full-time PhD (Maths) candidature; Postdoctoral Fellow (Maths): Full-time MBA candidature)

Other Achievements

Taught Marketing (AGSM EMBA, University of New South Wales)

Taught 1st and 2nd-year Maths (University of New South Wales)

Multi-lingual: French, Italian, Arabic, and Ancient Greek (learner)

25+ Publications (mathematics, engineering, management, theology)

Scholarships & Academic Awards (mathematics, engineering, theology, and corporate career)