Past Events

•   Building Tomorrow's Engineers Symposium

This one-day symposium held in Melbourne on the 20th February 2008, was co-hosted by the Australian Council of Engieering Deans, and sponsored by Engineers Australia with support from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

The symposium canvassed issues on both a macro and micro level. The nexus between supply and demand, industry sector employee retention and economic sustainability was considered from a government and industry perspective. Other topics considered included project-based curriculum modes, workplace-based intregrated learning, course content and design from a 'fit for purpose' profiling, the criticality of student mentors, industry partnerships and placements,as well as appropriate support mechanisms for foreign engineers joining the Australian workforce.

Ancillary issues discussed included a skills aptitude test, incentives to study engineering, and the improvement of training and resourcing for school teachers in the subjects of mathematics and science.

Keynote speakers included Professor Paul Greenfield AO, Vice-Chancellor, University of Qld; Professor Robin King, The Carrick Review of Engineering Education, and Stephen Payne, Head of Division - Manufacturing, Dept of Innovation, Industry, Science & Resources. Download more information and presentations from the day

•   The Business Graduate of Tomorrow Conference
     Are we producing highly trained but increasingly poorly educated graduates?

This one-day summit held in Sydney on the 14th March 2007, was co-hosted by the Australian Business Deans Council, and sponsored by CPA Australia. The conference provided educators, employers, industry associations and government representatives with the opportunity to analyse what attributes will Australia's future business graduates require in order to progress Australian enterprise.

Keynote speakers included David Murray AO, chair of the Future Fund, and Professor Margaret Gardner AO, Vice-Chancellor, RMIT University.

Topics considered included lifelong learning, clarifying the needs of business, pedagogical development and the structure of executive education. Download more information and presentations from the day

•   Higher Education Summit
     Tomorrow's Universities—The Need for Change in Australia

This one-day summit held in Melbourne on the 7th June 2006, invited participants to consider what the higher education sector may look like in the not too distant future. The invited address was delivered by Jenny Macklin, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education, Training, Science & Research. Key concepts of the day included:

• quality, does it reflect the institution's mission and purpose?;
• diversity (research or teaching) of providers versus specialisation and differentiation of providers;
• regulations - diversity should be accompanied by a dimunition of regulation supported by a diverse set of evaluative metrics;
• research - a national research agenda rolled out across all universities would usher forth creative control and assured diversity.

Consideration was also given to matters such as the brand equity of the term 'university' and the accreditation issues it brings; the Bologna model; e-education and research; and what it means to be an actual international university. Download more information and presentations from the day

•   Philanthropy Summit
     Partnering Tomorrow's Universities—Philanthropy, a Critical Source of Income

This one-day summit held in Sydney on the 17th May 2006, was an opportunity for those involved in the field of Philanthropy to hear, engage and speak with others working in this specialised field. The keynote address was delivered by Professor John Hay AC, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Qld. Professor Hay raised a number of urgent issues ranging from university senior management needing to become more involved to matters of taxation. General consensus was evident regarding the increasing importance of Philanthropy by way of establishing external partnerships, using leverage and approaching the development of alumni right from the beginning of the student experience. Philanthropy - a means of pursuing ideas and uncertainty within a practical and mutually collaborative relationship. Download more information and presentations from the day

•   Emerging Skills Summit
     2020 & Beyond

This one-day summit held in Sydney on the 22nd November 2005, enabled stakeholders to contribute their opinions and suggestions on what may lay ahead for all sectors (ie. higher education, professional services, industry, private education providers, business and government) with regard to being at the forefront of the skills development curve. The Keynote Address was delivered by The Hon Gary Hardgrave, MP, Minister for Vocational & Technical Education. Issues considered included: the difficulty in forecasting trends; generalist skills versus specialist skills; signature traits required for labour force adaptability; the fostering of creativity; generational mindsets within the working life profile; human capital optimisation and the elemental need for skills formation strategies re our future planning. Download more information and presentations from the day

•   SA Regional Engagement Forum
     Collaborative Engagement

A one-day forum held in Whyalla on 7th June 2005, brought together the SA minister for Employment, Training & Further Education, senior representatives from development agencies and local government, community leaders and cross sector education representatives. The forum brought into sharp focus the difficulties of developing a regional economy within a state economy, which is in itself a regional economy. Particular growth initiatives were illustrated by mature industries ie. steel production and mining, and growth industries such as aquaculture, renewable energy, rurul health management and niche manufacturing. Supporting these initiatives is a policy framework which links workforce development with higher education provision. Download more information and presentations from the day

•   Post-Compulsory Education
    Bridging the Gap Symposium

This one-day symposium held in Melbourne on the 18th May 2005, enabled stakeholders to contribute their opinions and suggestions on what needs to be done from a Post-compulsory Education perspective to BUILD ENTERPRISE & PRODUCTIVITY through an adaptable, well educated and highly skilled labour force. Keynote Addresses included The Hon Gary Hardgrave, MP, Minister for Vocational & Technical Education and The Hon Lynne Kosky, MP, Minister for Education & Training, Victoria. Issues considered included: an acknowledgement of the need for consensus between the different sectoral interests within the post-compulsory education sector; issue identification re cross-institutional articulation, credit transfer and quality framework; shifting of focus from provider-centric to marketplace responsiveness; accelerated scoping of opportunities which build on and improve current collaborations by multi-providers including improved infrastructure and resource sharing; initiatives undertaken need to be tangible, practical and most importantly value adding to both the student & provider/s; monitoring efficacy of multi-provider initiatives especially in regional/rural/remote areas. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   NSW Regional Engagement Forum
    Shaping the Future

A one-day forum held in Albury on 3rd March 2005, brought together the NSW parliamentary secretary for Education, Training and Aboriginal Affairs, post-secondary education leaders, industry leaders and community representatives. The forum discussed the implications of strategic development initiatives for both business/industry and education providers within the Albury-Wodonga region. The context of the forum illustrated the alignment necessary between workforce skills availability and the development of sustainable industries. With Albury-Wodonga geographically networked to the major destinations of Sydney and Melbourne, it was premised that the region had substantial opportunities to explore the economic value in regional infrastructure. It was also noted how critical the provision of post-compulsory education was to retaining youth in the area, in order to support new industry development and avert a skills shortage. Download brochure (156KB PDF)

·   University Governance Symposium
    Future Directions

This one-day symposium held in Sydney on the 18th November 2004, enabled stakeholders to contribute their ideas, opinions and suggestions on what needs to be done to improve university governance. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   IP Management & Knowledge Transfer
    Realise, Systematise, Optimise

This one-day symposium held in Melbourne on the 29th September 2004, examined the issues of IP Management and Knowledge Transfer. 18 experts in this field covered topics including - How should IP ownership and entitlements be allocated; What IP commercialisation strategies work and why; How do we value and manage Knowledge Capital; What do Business and Research need from each other; and What are the policies underpinning IP management in Australia. The symposium through the quality of the presentations and discussions illustrated how critical this area of business development is to Australia's future economic performance. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   Victorian Regional Engagement Forum
    In step with the Community

A one-day forum held in Bendigo on 8th September 2004, brought together the state ministers for Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, and for Education Services, post-secondary education leaders, industry leaders and community representatives. The forum focussed on initiatives that have direct benefits for regional areas. These included acknowledging the community as valued stakeholders, establishing networks and building their cooperative value, exploring the economic value in regional infrastructure, developing businesses that are owned by and service the regional community, and adopting a 'whole of region' approach to business development. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   NSW Regional Engagement Forum

A one-day forum held at Newcastle on 13 July 2004. Download brochure (120KB PDF)

·   QLD Regional Engagement Forum
    Smart Progress

A one-day forum held on the Sunshine Coast on 23rd April 2004, brought together the parliamentary secretary for the Department of State Development and Innovation, post-secondary education leaders, industry leaders and community representatives. The forum focussed on inter alia, the benefits that the University of the Sunshine Coast brings to the region, the urgency of creating high value jobs and developing a knowledge based sector in the region and throughout the state, how demographics and lifestyle issues impact on a region's options, and initiatives underway in other Qld regional areas. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   Higher Education Symposium
    Putting Reforms into Practice

A two day symposium involving 21 presentations including - University of SA, RMIT, La Trobe University, Senator Harris, Edith Cowan University, NTEU, Senator Crossin, DEST, University of Melbourne, DeakinPrime, University of New South Wales, University of Ballarat, Coles Myer Ltd, CAPA, Australian Academy of the Humanities, Firbank Grammar School, Institute of Engineers Australia, Australian Computer Society, ACCI, ANTA and BCA.

The two day symposium provided the timely opportunity to discuss and debate the spirit, appropriateness, practicality and long term implications of the reforms. Download presentations from the day 

·   NSW Regional Engagement Forum
    Working Together

A one-day forum held in Parramatta on 24th September 2003, brought together the state minister for regional development, post-secondary education providers, industry leaders and community representatives. The forum focussed on the benefits that linkages between education providers and industry can have, as well as the ongoing needs of regional communities, both economic and social. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   The Challenge of Commercialisation
    Turning Research and Ideas into Money

This two-day conference held in Melbourne on the 6th and 7th August 2003, lifted the veil on Commercialisation. 22 presenters covered topics including rapid product development; managing people, teams and culture; customer relationships; accelerating innovation; strategy; value chain management; opportunistic marketing; capital positioning and profit margins; and IP as a competitive advantage. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   Victorian Regional Engagement Forum
    Engagement = Opportunity

A one-day forum held in Shepparton on 31st July 2003, brought together all stakeholders within the regional context. The forum focussed on the provision of post-secondary education, the shortcomings from an industry perspective and engagement models that have benefited all sectors of the community. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   A Recipe for Success
    How to Succeed in Business by Really Trying

This one-day Master Class brought together those who wish to succeed in Business/Entrepreneurs/Intrapreneurs/Innovators/Venture Capitalists and Educators.

Held on the 9^th May 2002 in Brisbane. Download more information and presentations from the day

·   Entrepreneurial Australia
    Future Australia

 This 2-day event gathered the cream of Australian innovation in Melbourne on the 30^th and 31^st May 2001.  Click here for a report on this event.

·   Educational Challenges for a Smart State

The first event and official launch of the Queensland Chapter in Brisbane on the 8^th June 2001.  To request a copy of the report from this event, click here.