Solutions Summit 2025 Program

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Monday 24 February 2025 
1:30–5pm
Measuring research commercialisation outcomes
Organised by KCA and Australian Government Dept of Education.
4–5:30pm
Equity & wellbeing: keys to sustainable universities
Presented by HEDx, Welcoming Universities and Universities Enable.

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5.30–7pmWelcome reception

Presentation of the 2024 Australian Awards for University Teaching

Tuesday 25 February 2025 
6.45amRegistration desk opens
7.15–8.15amBreakfast address
Global perspectives: challenges and changes for universities


Professor Andrew J Deeks, President, International Association of Universities
Gabriel Miller, President and CEO, Universities Canada
Luke Sheehy, CEO, Universities Australia
Vivienne Stern MBE, CEO, Universities UK
8.30–8.45amWelcome by Universities Australia

Luke Sheehy, CEO, Universities Australia
Serena Williams, Ngunnawal Elder
8:45–9.30amKeynote address

Speaker
Catherine Livingstone AC, Chancellor, UTS

Chair

Professor David Lloyd, Chair, Universities Australia

9:30–10.00amIn conversation with Kathleen Folbigg and Rhanee Rego

Speakers
Kathleen Folbigg
Rhanee Rego, Criminal Law Solicitor

Chair
Clare Armstrong, National Political Editor, News Corp
10–11am
Powering productivity: unleashing skills and innovation

Speakers
Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia
Danielle Wood, Chair, Productivity Commission

Chair
Professor Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT
11–11:25am
Morning tea
11:25am–12:15pm
From Washington to Canberra: understanding Trump’s America 2.0

Speakers
Mick Mulvaney, former White House Chief of Staff, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, former Australian Ambassador to the United States.

Chair
Michelle Gunn, Editor in Chief, The Australian
12:15-12:55pmMeeting the demand: addressing the growing need for health professionals

Speakers
Emeritus Professor Christine Bennett AO, Non-executive, Independent Director, Sonic Healthcare
Professor Michael Kidd AO, Director, Centre for Future Health Systems, UNSW Sydney
Professor Steve Robson, former President, Australian Medical Association

Chair
Professor S Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor and President, Macquarie University
12:55–1:45pmLunch
1:15–1:45pmLunchtime Address
A bold vision for the future of the National Competitive Grants Program

Speaker

Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chair, Australian Research Council
1:45–2:15pm
Q&A Session

Speaker
Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Chair
Professor David Lloyd, Chair, Universities Australia
2:15–3:00pm
Shaping tomorrow: unlocking the power and promise of Artificial Intelligence

Speakers
Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist
Michael Larsen, CEO, Studiosity
John Paitaridis, CEO, CyberCX
Natalie Piucco, AI Technology Executive & University of Wollongong Council Member

Chair
Professor Theo Farrell, Vice-Chancellor and President, La Trobe University
3:00–3:50pm
Voices of tomorrow: redefining the student experience

Speakers
Professor Ngiare Brown, Chancellor, James Cook University
Ben Hallett, Co-CEO, Vygo
Chris Wessells, Higher Education IT Strategist, Unisys
3:50–4:10pm
Afternoon tea
4:10–4:50pm
More than Education: The Strategic Importance of our International Offer & Connections

Speaker
Her Excellency Vicki Treadell CMG, MVO, British High Commissioner to Australia
6:30–10pm
Gala dinner at Australian Parliament House
Presentation of the 2024 Shaping Australia Awards

Speakers
The Hon Jason Clare, Minister for Education
Lisa Paul AO PSM, Chancellor, University of Canberra

Chair
Professor David Lloyd, Chair, Universities Australia


Wednesday 26 February 2025
7:30–8:45amBreakfast address
Are Australia’s universities building the skills for the future?

Speakers
Jessica Turner, CEO, QS
Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor and President, Monash University 

Chair
Dr Maria Spies, Chief Innovation Officer, QS
08:50 - 9:20amOpposition Address

Speaker
Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson, Shadow Minister for Education

Chair
Professor David Lloyd, Chair, Universities Australia
9:20–9:35amKeynote Address

Speaker

Christine Holgate, CEO, Team Global Express

Chair
Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice-Chancellor and President, Griffith University
9:35–10amBuilding a future ready workforce

Speakers
Charlene Davison, CEO, GO Foundation
Christine Holgate, CEO, Team Global Express
Liam O’Brien, Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

Chair
Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice-Chancellor and President, Griffith University
10–11amSecuring our future: challenges and strategies in national security

Speakers
Jeff Connolly, Country Director & CEO, Thales Australia
Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret'd)
Professor Tanya Monro AC, Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist

Chair
Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Newcastle
11–11:30amMorning tea
11:30-12:00pmConcurrent Session A
Partisanship, polarisation and social cohesion – what does the research tell us?


Speakers
Matt Crocker, Susan McKinnon Foundation
John Scales, Founder, JWS Research
11:30-12:00pm
Concurrent Session B
Universities as changemakers: building connections, driving impact


Speakers
Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Verity Firth, Chair, Engagement Australia
Katherine Teh, Principal, TEH & CO

Chair
Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Vice-Chancellor and President, Australian Catholic University
11:30-12:00pm
Concurrent Session C
The Experience Advantage: Student Engagement as a Catalyst for Success – Global Insights and Local Applications

Speaker
Patricia Hubbard, Head of ANZ Consulting, Gallup
12:00–1:30pmLunch – National Press Club address streamed in Royal Theatre
12:30–1:30pmNational Press Club address

Speaker
Luke Sheehy, Chief Executive, Universities Australia
1:30-2:00pmConcurrent Session D
Towards a tertiary harmonisation roadmap: raising opportunity and productivity

Speaker
Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia
1:30-2:00pmConcurrent Session E
Beyond Borders: How Transnational Education is Leveraged for Global influence


Speakers
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director, Universities UK International
Leighton Ernsberger, Director Education East Asia, British Council

Chair
Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Engagement, RMIT
1:30-2:00pm
Concurrent Session F
Generative AI Frameworks and Solutions: Higher Education Leaders Share Institutional Approaches


Speakers
Herk Kailis, Chief Executive Officer, Cadmus
Professor Gregor Kennedy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Melbourne
Professor David Sadler, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Notre Dame

Chair
Professor Karen Nelson, Acting Vice-Chancellor, the University of Southern Queensland
2.05-2.10pmDeloitte survey interim results
2.10–3pmStrengthening regional communities – building for the future

Speakers
David Jochinke, President, National Farmers' Federation
The Hon Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner
Michael Schneider, Managing Director, Bunnings Group

Chair
Professor Tyrone Carlin, Vice-Chancellor and President, Southern Cross University
3-3.10pmKeynote Address

His Excellency Mr Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador
3.10–4pmAustralia's path to becoming an energy superpower

Speakers
His Excellency Mr Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador
Stephanie Bashir, Principal, Nexa Advisory
Michael Frangos, CEO, Indigenous Energy Australia
Innes Willox AM, Chief Executive, AiG

Chair
Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, QUT
4–4:10pmSummit close

Speaker
Professor David Lloyd, Chair, Universities Australia


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