Photo: Abdullah Khan OAM
The Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) has bestowed its prestigious Distinguished Service Award upon respected Muslim education leader Abdullah Khan OAM and long-serving educator Dr Alec O’Connell in recognition of their exceptional contribution to education in Western Australia.
The announcement was made on Monday 18 May 2026 as part of the 2026 AISWA Leaders Conference.
Dr Alec O’Connell
The award, established in 2025, recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on the Independent school sector and on AISWA itself. While both recipients have served education with distinction over several decades, the honour bestowed upon Abdullah Khan OAM carries particular significance for the Australian Muslim community and the Islamic schooling sector nationwide.
With more than 38 years in education, Abdullah Khan has emerged as one of Australia’s most influential Muslim education leaders. Since 2011, he has served as Executive Principal and CEO of the Australian Islamic College, overseeing remarkable academic and organisational growth. Under his leadership, the College expanded into a major educational network educating around 6,000 students and employing more than 600 staff across five campuses in Perth and one in Adelaide.
Abdullah Khan has also played a national leadership role as Chair of the Islamic Schools Association of Australia(ISAA) for more than a decade, advocating for Islamic schools, parental choice and faith-based education while helping strengthen engagement between Muslim schools and broader Australian educational institutions. His contribution has extended well beyond schooling into multicultural policy, community engagement and social cohesion.
In 2023, Abdullah Khan was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his services to education and multiculturalism.
At the time, AMUST described him as “a prominent advocate for the rights of minority communities” whose efforts “to bridge gaps, celebrate diversity, and promote inclusivity have left an indelible impact on Western Australia’s social fabric.” The article also highlighted his role in interconnecting the Islamic schooling sector nationally and promoting social harmony through education.
AISWA Executive Director Chris Massey praised Abdullah Khan’s “integrity, wisdom and collaborative leadership,” noting that he had mentored aspiring principals, especially from culturally diverse backgrounds, while becoming “a leading voice within the Independent sector.”
Responding to the award, Abdullah Khan OAM stated: “I am truly honoured by this recognition. It reflects a shared commitment to education grounded in strong values, service, and the development of young people who contribute positively to Australian society.”
The second recipient, Dr Alec O’Connell, has likewise dedicated more than four decades to Australian education. Currently serving his third term as Headmaster of Scotch College and Chair of AISWA since 2016, Dr O’Connell has played a major role in strengthening Independent schooling in Western Australia.
His contributions include leadership in special needs education, higher education advisory boards and national Independent school governance.
AISWA described Dr O’Connell as “a leader who believes in people,” whose work has helped create “a stronger, more inclusive professional community.”
The recognition of Abdullah Khan OAM alongside Dr Alec O’Connell reflects the increasingly important role that Muslim educators and Islamic schools are playing within Australia’s educational landscape.
It also highlights how faith-based schools, multicultural leadership and community engagement are becoming an integral part of the nation’s broader educational success story.
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