About Nisibis

Nisibis Assyrian Theological College was established in 2020 by the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East – Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon.

The purpose of the college is to provide tertiary level education and training to clergy and laity members of the Assyrian Church and all Christians locally and worldwide.

The College will strive to provide a quality and innovative learning and teaching environment to equip learners with sound knowledge of the Christian Faith in accordance with the doctrine and teachings of the Assyrian Church of the East.

The College will offer various undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and awards that will include units from the following disciplines; Biblical Studies, Syriac Language, Theology, Christology, Liturgy, Patristics, Church History and Ethics.

These courses will be taught by accredited clergy of the Assyrian Church of the East, clergy from other Christian denominations and lay educators from various Theological backgrounds who are experts in the teachings of the Assyrian Church.

The Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon has invested much time, efforts and finances in the Nisibis Assyrian Theological College, since its establishment in Sydney, Australia.

The Archdiocese saw the investment fitting, as the fruits of the Theological College will be held in high regard by the Assyrian Church at its entirety, across all dioceses around the world.

Being the first of its kind in the modern western world, Nisibis Assyrian Theological College needed such investments in its inauguration, and the Archdiocese is proud to have played such a role for this worthy initiative.

An initiative so vital for the church in the modern era.

Our College is named Nisibis after the famous fourth century Nisibis School in Edessa.

Nisibis was a significant spiritual centre of the early Church of the East teachings and it is referred to as the world’s first university.

Today, our college will strive to emulate the original Nisibis and be a learning hub of Christianity for the glory of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Our vision is to move the cultural, intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Assyrian Church of the East out to the whole world and future generations of faithful.

The appointment as Principal of Nisibis Assyrian Theological College honours me deeply.

I am humbled by the trust the Church’s leadership shows me, foremost His Beatitude Archbishop Mar Meelis Zaia, AM, without whose paternal guidance I could not fulfil my tasks.

For, while I bring with me over thirty years of academic experience in a range of settings—especially in lecturing, research, and supervision—leading Nisibis represents a challenge of a different sort.

It is not about the administrative side of things, for which I am suitably equipped, at least in part; I have a solid entrepreneurial background and a track-record of institutional reform.

It is about being entrusted with developing the College of an apostolic Church that is not my own (I am a Romanian Orthodox protopresbyter) as a provider of tertiary theological education, nationally and internationally.

The weight of this responsibility is amplified by my mandate to foster the best possible conditions for the training and formation of a new generation of believers and shepherds of the Assyrian Church of the East—as well as Christians of other traditions who are interested in studying with us—to withstand the challenges of our time and to become the light and the salt of the world, as the Lord teaches.

And so, building on the worthy work of my predecessor, His Grace Bishop Mar Benyamin Elya, I have already set out to recruit new faculty members and to professionalise our body of teachers, together with developing new opportunities for learning and initiating the accreditation of Nisibis for offering more courses of study—within the Australian University College of Divinity, our academic framework.

We are on a great path to expand the College and to fulfil its potential.

God willing, by the prayers and active support of all of you, Nisibis will flourish, becoming an important contributor to Church and society.

My message would be incomplete without a few words of encouragement for our current and prospective students.

At Nisibis Assyrian Theological College, students receive a multifaceted education, which aims at both Christian formation and training.

Through biblical, liturgical and patristic studies, students learn the basics, the foundations without which our faith and way of live are built on shaky grounds.

Theological subjects introduce them to the apostolic tradition, where they acquire tools to help them think correctly, to examine, to question, to process and to understand what they learn along the way.

Historical studies present students with sound information and wisdom lessons that bring to light the significance of facts, helping them to grasp nuances about the past and to discern the meaning of current happenings.

In turn, spirituality and pastoral studies assist our students in reassessing their own Christian journey and in grounding their lives in the ethos and the values of the apostolic tradition, to walk safely on the path of personal maturation in Christ, truthfully and compassionately—and to guide others, in this age of confusion, hatred, uncertainty and violence.

Last but not least, through the study of the humanities, from learning Syriac to debating ethics to acquiring critical skills, students are equipped for a range of tasks, academic and practical alike.

This is what studying at Nisibis is about—not only a matter of grasping deep ideas, but of improving lives and contributing to Church and society, for a better world.

I will conclude my words by pointing you to the motto of the College, inspired by Saint Ephrem of Nisibis: “God, grant knowledge!” Together with my predecessor, who referred to this motto in his message, I say Amen! For us to become gentle candlelights of truth and compassion, guided by knowledge and wisdom, let us all say Amen! For us to live up to what we merely begin to know and to understand, let us say it again, Amen!

Protopresbyter Professor Doru Costache, Principal

Nisibis Assyrian Theological College is dedicated to providing the highest standard of theological education.

As a recognised Member Institution of the Australian University College of Divinity Ltd (TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12045, CRICOS Provider: 02948J), we meet rigorous national quality requirements, ensuring that our degrees and awards are held to the highest educational standards.

You can find out more about the Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD) here:

What Is Accreditation?



Accreditation is a process of validation in which colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning are evaluated.

Our accreditation by the Australian University College of Divinity, a nationally recognised higher education provider, whose awards we teach.

This means that Nisibis College adheres to specific quality standards set forth by the accrediting body that ensure our educational programs are comprehensive and of high quality.

Benefits of Accreditation:



For Students: Ensures educational programs meet national quality standards, facilitating credit transfers and graduate education opportunities.For Graduates: Enhances professional recognition and employability, as degrees from accredited institutions are respected globally.

We are approved by the Commonwealth Government for FEE-HELP loans to eligible students.

Our Accreditation History:



Nisibis Assyrian Theological College has been a proud member of the Sydney College of Divinity (SCD) since our establishment in 2020.

In 2025, SCD’s accreditation was upgraded to university college status and rebranded as the Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD).

Our accreditation journey reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence in theological education, recognised by rigorous external review and continuous improvement processes.

Future Accreditation Goals:



We are committed to continuous improvement and are actively working towards expanding our accreditation to include additional programs and specialisations that meet the evolving needs of our students and the broader church community.

Frequently Asked Questions about Accreditation:






What does being accredited mean for my studies?

Being accredited means that Nisibis College has met specific standards of quality set by the Australian University College of Divinity and is recognised by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) as a legitimate provider of higher education.

This accreditation ensures that the educational programs offered are rigorously evaluated and approved, providing you with assurance that the education you receive is of high quality and widely respected.

How does accreditation affect my diploma or degree internationally?

Accreditation enhances the recognition of your diploma or degree on an international scale.

Since Nisibis College is accredited by a recognised body, other institutions and employers worldwide are more likely to acknowledge and respect your qualifications.

This global recognition is vital for students who intend to work or continue their education outside of Australia.

Can I transfer credits from Nisibis College to another institution?

Yes, credits earned at Nisibis College are generally transferable to other higher education institutions, thanks to our accreditation by the Australian University College of Divinity and recognition by TEQSA.

However, credit transfer is ultimately subject to the policies of the receiving institution.

It is advisable to check with the specific institution to which you intend to transfer credits to understand their criteria and ensure a smooth transfer process.

Contact Us for More Information:



If you have any questions or need further information about our accreditation, please click here to visit our contact us page