Symposium: The Role of Universities in the 2020s

The Role of Universities in the 2020s Symposium, explored the role of universities and the tertiary sector in responding to changing labour market needs and a diverse student population.

About the Symposium

The Symposium was part of a series of events commemorating the centenary of the birth of Sir Zelman Cowen, the distinguished Australian scholar, statesman, and a university leader in Australia and internationally.   

The Symposium – presented by Victoria University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins AO, the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre and the Mitchell Institute for Education and Health Policy – built on the recent Mitchell Institute policy paper, Rethinking and Revitalising Tertiary Education.

Facilitated by Professor Glyn Davis AC, other speakers included Vice-Chancellors from the universities with which Sir Zelman was closely associated – the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, University of New England, Griffith University and Oriel College, Oxford – along with senior leaders from business and industry.

Victoria University is grateful to our sponsors for making this Symposium possible.

The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Commonwealth Minister for Education, delivering the opening address during the Symposium.

Symposium program

The symposium took place at our City Campus on 30 August 2019 from 9am—2pm.

It was made up of a welcome address and two plenary sessions followed by lunch at 1–2pm.

Sponsors