Thought Leadership Series - VU's Academic Program of the Future

A key focus of the Academic Program of the Future project is to consider how we can harness the distinct strengths of VU as a dual-sector institution. The future workforce requires graduates with deep knowledge, as well as deep skills. Students should be able to easily see the VET offerings that complement their HE programs (and vice-versa) and the benefits they can get from dual-sector skills and qualifications.

Guest speaker : Craig Robertson, CEO of TAFE Directors Australia

Craig Robertson is CEO of TAFE Directors Australia (TDA), which promotes the critical role that TAFEs play in tertiary education in Australia. Prior to joining TDA Craig worked in the Victorian Government, with responsibilities for the operation of vocational education and working with Victorian universities.

Craig has also worked for over 30 years in the Commonwealth Government with responsibilities in national policy and program delivery relating to employment services, funding for schools and most aspects of vocational education and training. He has represented the Australian Government in G20 meetings of Labour and Employment ministers and the OECD, and bi-laterally with a range of foreign governments. In Australia, Craig has led work at the federal level on joint Commonwealth-State policies and funding agreements, introducing income contingent loan arrangements for the VET sector, instigated apprenticeship reform and reformed regulation policy and VET qualifications. Craig was also an inaugural member of the Australian Qualifications Framework Council formed in 2011.

Date and time: Monday 24 June, 11.30am - 1pm

Location: Victoria University, Footscray Park campus, Building M, Level 0, Room M001

This event has already taken place.

Smart technology, artificial Intelligence (AI), internet of things, biotechnology and robots are all having a significant impact on the world around us. But what are the implications for the education sector which has largely been unaffected to-date? Professor Liz Bacon will examine the impact of AI on society, jobs and future learning needs and the opportunities and challenges this presents as VU launches into our Academic Program of the Future.

Guest Speaker: Professor Liz Bacon, Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Professor of Computer Science, Abertay University, Scotland

Professor Liz Bacon is Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Abertay University. Liz is a Professor of Computer Science with over a hundred refereed publications and over 70 invited talks / keynotes. She is an experienced researcher, systems designer and developer. Her research interests include computing policy, smart systems, security, semantic web, big data, AI and technology enhanced learning (TEL). Within TEL, she has applied her research in software engineering, AI and security to a range of application areas such as crisis management and eHealth, focusing on: smart games-based learning environments; metacognition and learning strategies; adaptable, adaptive and personalised systems; and the use of social media in online learning. Liz is passionate about the development of her discipline and keen to inspire more people to choose computing as a career, particularly women.

Date and strong: Monday 22 July, 12:30pm ;2:00pm

Location: Victoria University, Footscray Park campus, Building M, Level 0, Room M001

This event has already taken place.

The speed at which technological advancements emerge are being felt across all industries. Google Australia’s boss says Australia needs to “speed up on AI or miss out on a $2.2 trillion boom.” The education sector is not immune; we are at risk of missing out on fast-growing future opportunities unless our training is leading, not lagging. Education and training is the essential conduit between technological evolution and human enterprise. Gail Bray, General Manager, Learning, Innovation and Technology at Victoria University Polytechnic will present the work that Victoria University Polytechnic is spear-heading, in partnership with industry, to take on these technological challenges.

Guest speaker: Gail Bray, General Manager, Learning, Innovation and Technology at Victoria University Polytechnic

Gail Bray is the General Manager, Learning, Innovation and Technology at Victoria University Polytechnic.

Gail’s career began in the corporate training sector, working in energy, telecommunications and manufacturing before transitioning to Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the early 2000s. Gail is passionate about VET and describes herself as an internal entrepreneur with over 15 years’ experience leading multi-million-dollar start-up projects that challenge the status-quo.

Gail is currently leading a variety of strategic projects that will deliver dynamic industry-driven training in emerging technologies. Her work and that of the team she leads in Learning and Development within our own VU Polytechnic, received recognition for its innovation in 2017, 2018 and 2019, winning multiple awards.

Date: Monday 19 August, 6pm-7:30pm 

Location: Victoria University, City Flinders campus, Room FS1101, Level 11, 300 Flinders St, Melbourne

This event has already taken place.