REGISTRATION FOR THE 2012 CONFERENCE IS NOW OPEN
The 2012 Conference will break away from traditional program formats to create greater opportunities for dialogue, analysis and engagement between the sector, other stakeholders, and commentators.
Conference Highlights
- Keynote Address by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Christopher Evans
- 'When Generation Z goes to Uni'- a thought-provoking session with Dr Michael Wesley
- Televised National Press Club of Australia address by Universities Australia Chair, Professor Glyn Davis AC
- National Media Awards for Higher Education, sponsored by Universities Australia and hosted by the National Press Club
- Keynote Address by Shadow Minister for Universities and Research, Senator the Hon Brett Mason
- Keynote Address by Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, European Commission, Ms M?ire Geoghegan-Quinn
- 'The Pitch' - a session to challenge your perceptions facilitated by Dan Gregory
Program Overview
Please refer to the conference program for details on speakers in each session
Wednesday 7 March
| 9:00am - 9:15am | Welcome by Universities Australia Chair Welcome to Country |
| 9:15am - 9:45am | Opening Keynote Address: Senator the Hon Chris Evans |
| 10:15am - 11:30am | When Generation Z goes to Uni |
| 12:00pm - 1:30pm | National Press Club Luncheon (Allocation Exhausted) For those without a ticket, lunch will be served at Hotel Realm with televised screening of the address by Universities Australia Chair, Professor Glyn Davis AC. |
| 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Regulating Deregulation |
| 3:45pm - 5:00pm | Science and Innovation |
| 5:00pm - 5:30pm | Ministerial Address |
| 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Welcome Cocktail Party (included in conference registration, RSVP required for catering) QuestaconIncludes viewing of galleries, refreshments and finger food.Shuttle buses will leave Hotel Realm at 5:45pm for Questacon. |
| 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Night Cap Event at Questacon 'The Best and Worst Science and Education at the Movies' |
Thursday 8 March
| 8:30am - 10:00am | Concurrent Streams: Public Attitudes to Regional Universities |
| 10:30am - 12:00pm | Concurrent Streams: Regulation v Audit |
| 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Keynote Address: Senator the Hon Brett Mason |
| 1:30pm - 2:15pm | The Rise of Asian Education |
| 2:15pm - 3:30pm | 'The Pitch' |
| 3:30pm - 3:45pm | Conference Close by Universities Australia Chair |
For more information on the conference program please contact Arminia Sorbara at Universities Australia on (02) 6285 8116
Friday 9 March - Satellite Events
Unless otherwise indicated, delegates can register for these events on the general conference registration form.
Indigenous Cultural Competency in Universities
Duration: 9:00am - 12:00pm
This workshop will introduce participants to the National Best Practice Framework for Indigenous Cultural Competency in Australian Universities. The rationale behind the Five Guiding Principles will be discussed and best practice examples examined. Participants will be invited to share their own institutional experiences and examples and brainstorm ways that institutions can improve performance and work together towards the objectives of the Framework.
Summit of Councils of Deans
Duration: 9:00am - 11:30am
Cost: $60
The aim of the 2012 Deans' Summit will be an opportunity for all Deans' Councils to meet in an informal, discursive and open environment. Each Deans' Council will be invited to share information prior to the summit on issues and challenges affecting their discipline's policies, programs, practices and structures. Discussions will involve TEQSA's role in disciplinary standards and accreditation and the impact of the `Caps Off' environment across disciplines. These sessions are open to any Dean attending the conference.
A program for the summit will be available on the DASSH website. For more information contact Fiona Doyle, Executive Officer, DASSH
Assessment Collaborations for Australian Higher Education
Duration: 9:30am - 1:00pm
As an independent agency with a mission to improve learning, ACER is supporting Australian higher education to take collegial leadership in building robust, efficient and relevant assessment resources and materials. The meeting engages participants in the design and development of the Higher Education Assessment Collaboration, an initiative building on decades of development intended to build even further capacity and quality in this important area of work. It focuses in particular on the nature and characteristics of the higher education assessment library being developed to boost the efficiency and quality of university education, while protecting autonomy and increasing curriculum diversity. International experts will work with participants to design and progress the collaboration.For more information contact Trish Freeman, ACER
Meeting of Chairs of Academic Boards/Senates
Duration: 9:00am - 2:30pm
Cost: $80
Those chairing or directly involved in University Academic Boards/Senates are invited to meet and discuss developments and issues in academic governance.The meeting will consider the implications of the rapidly evolving higher education sector for academic governance and Academic Boards/Senates. This meeting will also provide opportunities for discussing organisational planning and sharing strategies to promote academic excellence.
For more information contact Professor Val Robertson, President of Academic Senate, The University of Newcastle
Association of Australian University Secretaries
Duration: 8:30am - 1:00pm
The Association will meet to discuss a range of governance related topics (including the impact of the national WH&S legislation), to exchange best practice ideas, to review recent survey outcomes and to commence development of a governance outlook for 2020.
For more information and to register for this meeting contact Michael Kern, President, Association of Australian University Secretaries
Meeting of Deputy & Pro Vice-Chancellors (Corporate)
Duration: 8:30am - 3:30pm
The Deputy and Pro Vice-Chancellors (Corporate) Committee of Universities Australia acts as a forum/network for the senior executive cohort across the university sector, informing Universities Australia's policy position in areas where the group has particular expertise, and sharing best practice on issues of mutual interest. The group meets twice a year, with the program for each meeting developed by an Executive drawn from the membership.
For more information and to register for this meeting contact Peter Rodely, Committee Executive Officer, Universities Australia
Australian Digital Alliance Copyright Forum: 'Growing the Digital Economy: Copyright Expectations for the Internet Age'
Location: National Library of Australia
Duration: 8:30am - 5:00pm
A forum for innovators and other copyright users
ADA members: 2 free attendees per organisation membership; free to individual members
Other: Early bird rate - until 20 February 2012 - $110 per attendee (including optional ADA individual membership)
Post 20 February 2012 - $150 per attendee (including optional ADA individual membership)
For further information and to register for the forum see the Australian Digital Alliance or contact Ellen Broad
Accommodation arrangements
Delegates are responsible for organising their own accommodation and transport.
Universities Australia has secured a discounted rate with Hotel Realm and Burbury Hotel (Burbury Hotel is a new 4.5 star hotel situated directly across from the Hotel Realm), Realm suites are available for $300 per night, Realm rooms for $255 per night, Burbury Suites for $290 per night and Burbury Rooms for $245 per night by calling (02) 6163 1800 and quoting discount code "0503UA". This code is not available for booking online.
Those seeking alternative styles of accommodation within walking distance or availability should the Hotel Realm book out can enquire at the following hotels:
- The Brassey Hotel: 250m from venue
- Rydges Capital Hill: 400m from venue
- Bentley Suites: 500m from venue
- Hotel Kurrajong: 600m from venue
- Forrest Hotel & Apartments: 600m from venue
- Hyatt Hotel Canberra: 1.8km from venue
- Several other hotels are located in Kingston (1 - 1.5km from venue).
Sponsors
Universities Australia's Higher Education Conference is proudly supported by:
| Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance (AUCEA) | |
| Campus Living Villages | |
| IDP Education | |
| National Australia Bank |



