Higher education at a crossroads: What’s at stake for equity?

Mon 24 Mar 2025 12:00 pm – 1:10 pm AEDT

Online

Event details

As the federal election approaches, it’s crucial to explore the potential impact of political shifts on higher education, equity policy, and funding.

Join this webinar where leading national and international experts in higher education will discuss these issues and help equip equity practitioners, policymakers, and university leaders with insights and advocacy strategies ahead of the election.

Pre-election policy landscape – what’s on the table?
In this session, our speakers will discuss where the major Australian political parties stand on higher education reform and the future of needs-based funding, HEPPP, and student support programs. They will also discuss university responses to election uncertainties.

Risks and opportunities – Equity in the post-Accord era
Will student equity remain a priority in the next government? What's next for student support, and what will happen if the government does not renew HEPPP funding? Our speakers will discuss the role of universities in sustaining student success beyond government funding.

Global lessons for election-year equity policy
What can Australia learn from around the globe? Hear from international representatives about the impact of political shifts on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and government strategies for equitable university funding. Join this discussion and learn what Australia can do to sustain student equity beyond policy cycles.

This event is jointly hosted by the Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Association (EPHEA), the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES), the World Access to Higher Education Network (WAHEN), and the UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion.

Presenters

• Professor Maria Raciti - Co-founder and Co-director, Indigenous and Transcultural Research
  Centre University of the Sunshine Coast
• Dr Kylie Austin - President, EPHEA
• Professor Shamit Saggar - Executive Director, Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success
  Curtin University
• Dr Nadine Zacharias - Founder and Managing Director, Equity by Design 
• Professor Graeme Atherton - Founder and Director, World Access to Higher Education Network
  University of West London 
• Dr Jamil Salmi - Global tertiary education expert
• Chris Ronan - CEO, Country Universities Centre
• Sonal Singh - Executive Manager, Student Access and Equity, University of Technology Sydney
• Professor Andrew Norton - Professor of Higher Education Policy, Monash University

Further information and registration details

Contact details

Event website
https://utsmeet.zoom.us/webinar/register/5317410767432/WN_gce_8piUT1yjXAN02i6YCA#/registration

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