Reimagining HigherEd

This week, Dr Yousef Al-Assaf, President at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai joins Prof Judyth Sachs for a vibrant conversation centred on how smart, connected, and responsive universities are delivering quality education. They discuss the birth of the Silicon Oasis; bridging education and industry to create future-ready students; developing unique programs linking community challenge...

Prof Stephen Parker AO, recently appointed interim VC and President at University of Canberra, sits down with Prof Judyth Sachs to reflect on the sector, including whether the ‘golden age’ has passed for universities. The two professors discuss the adaptability of universities and whether they can ever really be relevant to industry; domains of knowledge vs disciplines and why young people are spe...

Panel session recorded on 8 October 2024, at 11:00am AEDT, with nearly 500 registrations and over 270 participants. In this unique Symposium, renowned Indigenous leadership discussed the national pursuit of equity of access and success in higher education - exploring this year’s Universities Accord and how it could lead to meaningful change, and enhanced support for Indigenous students in Australi...

Brian Rosenberg, President Emeritus of Macalester College, Visiting Professor at Harvard University, and author of “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It,” joins host Professor Judyth Sachs in this episode. They discuss the role of AI in learning, higher education’s social contract with communities, and the need for stronger alignment between faculty and students. Brian advocates for meaningful, practica...

Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Bedfordshire, joins Professor Petra Wend in this conversation full of insights and advice for leaders and learners. They reflect on the telegram that opened up a world of opportunity for Rebecca; the joy of learning and inquisitiveness; social mobility and leading universities that prioritise widening participation...

Join Professor Ghassan Aouad, the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University (ADU), with Professor Judyth Sachs in this enlightening episode. They discuss Prof Aouad’s experience as a student during the Civil War in Lebanon; fostering tolerance and inclusivity in diverse student populations; how emotional intelligence and cultural awareness is setting ADU graduates apart; and the critical role universitie...

Join Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University of Glasgow, together with Professor Petra Wend for this topical discussion on breadth vs specialisation in education; the art and value of multilingualism, with both professors sharing their experience; and a look at the key moments that have kept Sir Anton in higher education. Sir Anton shares what it was like to gro...

Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor at The University of Auckland joins Professor Judyth Sachs for an invigorating conversation that begins with Dawn sharing her career-meaningful object, and the impact of living intentionally, by focusing on what is novel each day. Together they discuss how Auckland is preparing students with future skills via curriculum transformation; the purpose of univ...

What does it take to build a successful, award-winning employability program in a university? How does Sunway University measure student success, and broader program success? What makes a Sunway graduate distinct? In this interview, Director of Student Life at Sunway Education Group, Ms Lee Siok Ping is joined by Rose Devaraj, Head of Career Services at Sunway University as they discuss with Prof...

Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor and President at UNE, joins Professor Judyth Sachs, as they dive into higher education learning and leadership at this critical inflection point offered by AI and technology. They discuss the end of regurgitation learning and changes required to pedagogy design and assessment; digital twins and new learning environments for students; creating the future 'degr...

In this brand new episode, Professor Yusra Mouzughi, Provost at the University of Birmingham Dubai, joins Professor Judyth Sachs to explore higher education leadership, resilience, and innovation in a rapidly changing landscape. Yusra and Judyth reflect on the challenges and triumphs of Yusra’s career, including her transition from the UK to the Middle East - establishing a new university and buil...

Panel session recorded on 6 August 2024, at 11:00am AEST, with over 180 registrations and over 100 participants. How is the sector changing its approach in the age of AI? What can universities do to increase belonging, connectedness, and wellbeing in 2025? This discussion covered the state of belonging in 2024 and what universities will do in 2025. Your panel: Professor Michelle Lincoln - Deputy V...

This week, we're resharing an episode from the archives - Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Vice Chancellor and President at Queensland University of Technology, in conversation with Professor Judyth Sachs, about curiosity and courage to take unexpected paths; mass spectrometry and early influencers in Prof Sheil’s academic life; and the challenge of delivering value to students today.

Join Dr. David Barnard, President Emeritus and former VC and President at University of Manitoba, in discussion with Dr. Noreen Golfman, as they dive into David's rich experience in higher education - from being first in family to go to university, to never quite leaving. Dr. Barnard shares what it was like to be among the first Computer Science Graduates; his love for poetry and the poem he intro...

Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor at Lakehead University, sits down with Dr. Noreen Golfman for a candid conversation centred on community, creativity, and optimism. They discuss the evolving post-secondary landscape - technology, student wellbeing, the liberal arts, and financial sustainability - and reflect on the value of creating opportunities for students to think critically...

“We as educators have a lot to learn from them, and by more directly engaging them and involving them in some co-learning capacity, we will benefit, and the classroom environment will benefit, and learning will benefit.” Join Dr. Joy Johnson, President and VC at Simon Fraser University, in conversation with Dr. Noreen Golfman, as they reflect on personal experiences in academia and the evolving ch...

Prof Khaled Assaleh joins Prof Judyth Sachs for an engaging dive into his journey across academia, industry, and HE leadership - all sparked by an early interest in electronics. Prof Assaleh speaks about his experience as an international student, and the importance of formal and informal support systems; the value of industry experience and how it's informed his teaching; whether traditional degr...

Artificial intelligence is top of mind as new developments encourage daily use and integration into everyday life. How will post-secondary institutions forge a path to protect and grow academic integrity while finding ways to integrate the best of AI into teaching and learning environments? Featuring Canadian and US experts and leaders, this session discusses AI’s impact on post-secondary educatio...

Join Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina, together with Dr. Noreen Golfman, as they delve into the complexities of academic leadership and the challenges faced in higher education. From personal growth and collaboration, to making history come alive for students and community outreach programs, discover valuable insights from this insightful conversation betw...

Gain valuable insights from Professor Helen Bartlett, esteemed President and VC at the University of the Sunshine Coast, as she sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs. In this episode - new cultures and environments have played a pivotal role in shaping Prof Bartlett’s expertise and fostering innovation in her life as an educator. Discover the essence of the PhD supervision role, the groundbreaking...

Professor Pascale Quester, VC and President of Swinburne University of Technology, sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs, to discuss her alternative education at the Grand école; what she learnt teaching French to Americans in the Department of Romance Languages; authentic assessment to build resilient students; and the new role of educators as coaches of learning and curators of experiences.

Panel discussion held on 8th May 2024, 9:00 am AEST How can the sector keep academic integrity, human experience, and learning at the heart of the student experience? This discussion explored the current challenges and opportunities facing the sector, how institutions are addressing these, and what factors need to be considered to uphold academic integrity on both an institutional and individual b...

Professor Renée Leon, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, and Professor Judyth Sachs explore the parallels between universities and public service, and where higher education can learn from government. Renée shares insights from her first six months in role, why multidisciplinarity is the answer to complex problems, shared direction as key to a journey of change, and the one...

This week, Professor Scott reflects on learning and leading. Hear what he would change to support student success (equitable accomodation and financial pressure, and helping students master AI for their own learning.) Diving into his own undergraduate journey, Judyth and Mark discuss the ingredients of a critical “transformational experience”, namely, students must become "more interested in their...

"Higher education is life transformative, and in the world that we've got now it is vital that transformative opportunity is available to as many people as possible” Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor and President at University of Tasmania, chats with Professor Judyth Sachs for a thought-provoking dialogue that explores the role of leaders in shaping a more conscious and inclusive society. Th...