Influential technologist Devika Ghaisas has been named a QUT Outstanding Alumnus for 2025 for her leading role in the field of technology and her significant contributions in thought leadership.
The honour was announced last night at the annual QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards at the university’s Gardens Point campus in Brisbane.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil said the award recognised Ms Ghaisas’s ongoing impact in shaping the future of intelligent systems and empowering industries globally.
“Ms Ghaisas exemplifies an Outstanding Alumnus with her visionary leadership in technology, driving innovation across generative AI, enterprise software and high-performance computing,” Professor Sheil said.
Ms Ghaisas, who has a Master of Applied Science (Computing) from QUT, is the Senior Director of System Software at NVIDIA and has more than 25 years of experience working in the global technology industry.
She has led various teams that create software used for various areas like artificial intelligence to professional media tools and workplace applications.
Ms Ghaisas said being recognised by her university through the QUT Outstanding Alumni Award was particularly meaningful because of the role her student days played in forming her future career.
“Being recognised by QUT is highly meaningful to me,” Ms Ghaisas said.
“It was here that I acquired not only technical expertise, but also enhanced my critical thinking skills and problem-solving capabilities, and developed a commitment to continuous learning.
“These experiences have contributed substantially to my career development.”
Reflecting on her time as a student at QUT, Ms Ghaisas said she had always appreciated the real-world focus of teaching and learning.
“I think QUT was great for me because it gave me a lot of exposure to practical, hands-on learning, which was something I really enjoyed,” Ms Ghaisas said.
“What I really liked about QUT was that it wasn’t just theory. It was a lot of lab work and projects that were relevant to what was happening in the industry.
“When I went into my first job, I already had that mindset of how to apply what I’d learnt.”
Ms Ghaisas said a defining feature of her time as a student at QUT was not the technology, but the people.
“The lecturers were really supportive, and they encouraged us to think differently,” she said.
“The university fostered a highly collaborative atmosphere, where everyone wanted to support one another. This aspect has had a lasting impact on me.
“The International Students Desk provided exceptional support, addressing all concerns thoroughly, regardless of their size.
“Their assistance facilitated my smooth transition to a new country and enabled me to make the most of my QUT experience promptly.”
Earlier in her career at NVIDIA, Ms Ghaisas led teams that built a powerful internal cloud system that supported thousands of internal developers working on software for cars, mobile devices, and AI.
She has spoken at major international events, including the 2024 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, where she shared insights on how AI is changing media and entertainment.
Before joining NVIDIA in 2010, Ms Ghaisas held roles at the National Computer Board in Singapore, Microsoft, and VMware.
In 2023, she was recognised for her leadership and achievements in technology at the YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley Tribute to Women Awards.
Learn more about the 2025 QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards winners here.
Information on studying IT at QUT can be found here.
