ASEAN Australia Education Dialogue (AAED) 2025
Education in Motion: Reimagining Mobility, Inclusivity, and Sustainability Across Borders
1 - 4 December 2025
St Giles Wembley Hotel George Town, Penang, Malaysia
AAED 2025 Program
Monday 1 December – Arrival in Penang
English Language Teaching (ELT) Leadership Forum
Morning Arrival
Arrival of participants in Penang and hotel transfers. Sunday or Monday morning arrival recommended for international delegates.
09:00 - 17:00
Special Interest Forum (attendance included in registration fee)
“Language as a Global Bridge: English in Action Driving Quality Outcomes”
You can find the program for this day HERE.
Forum facilitated and coordinated by the National English Language Training Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) Australia at the AAED Venue Hotel.
Tuesday 2 December – Parallel Panels & Masterclasses
Note: Parallel Panels and Masterclasses occur simultaneously in each time slot.
Opening Sessions
9:00 - 9:10
AAED Convenor:
Michael Fay (OAM)
9:10 - 9:20
ASEAN University Network (AUN) Executive Director:
Dr Thanapan Laiprakobsup
9:20 - 9:30
NSW Government Representative:
Ms Alia Jaafar, Director Trade and Investment NSW, Malaysia
​
Pre-Recorded Video Message NSW Minister:
Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong
9:30 - 10:40
Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025
Tracking ASEAN Australia Research Collaborations and Partnerships in THE Impact Rankings 2025 Referencing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
• Goal 7 Clean and Affordable Energy
• Goal 13 Climate Action
• Goal 14 Life Below Water
• Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Keynote Presentation:
Julie Wilkens-McMahon
Times Higher Education (THE), Vice President APAC
​
Panelists:
-
Prof Dr.Saidatulakmal Mohd, Centre for Institutional and Strategic Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
-
Ms. Ma Margarita Christina A. Lacdao-Umali Secretariat Head, ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture Program Head for Sustainable Development Goals, Ateneo De Manila University
-
Prof Romy Lawson, Snr Deputy Vice Chancellor, Flinders University Adelaide
-
Prof Jennifer Boddy, Dean Sustainability and Rankings, Griffith University
10:45 - 11:15
Morning Tea and Networking
11:15 - 12:15
Parallel Panels
11:15 - 12:15
Panel 1: Sustainability
Developing Partnerships on Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sustainability
Moderator:
Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai
Director Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Penang
​​​
Panelists:
-
Assoc. Prof Michelle Voyer, Principal Research Fellow, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong (UOW)
-
Prof Kirsten Benkendorff, National Marine Sciences Centre, Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia
-
Prof Dr Suchana Apple Chavanich, Dept Marine Science, Chulalongkorn University
-
Dr Michelle Tigchelaar, World Fish Penang
-
​Assoc. Prof Dr Uzair Rosli, Coordinator, Sea Turtle Research Unit, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
11:15 - 12:15
Panel 2: Mobility
Australia Awards, Alumni Experience & Australian Education Diplomacy
Moderator:
Guy Perring
Etio Global Asia
Panelists:
-
Serena Baptist, Murdoch University International Relations and Programs, Mobility co-chair West Australia East Java University Consortium
-
Dr Endang Jamal Pattimura University Ambon Maluku, Indonesia
-
Manuela Spiga, Director Careers, Alumni and Industry Relations, RMIT University Vietnam
-
Dr Joyce Teo, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Vice President Global Engagement, University Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
-
Dr Adam Lam, President Global, Charles Darwin University
11:15 - 12:15
Panel 3: Inclusivity
Inclusion, Gender, and Sports Integrity
Moderator:
Prof Jenni Lightowlers
Dean Faculty of Business and Law, Deakin University
​
Panelists:
-
Prof Dato’ Dr Noraida Endut, Centre for Research on Women & Gender, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
-
Dr Caroline Riot, Director Games Partnerships and Engagement, Griffith University
-
Dr Jasvir Kaur Nachatar Singh, Department of Management, Sport and Tourism, La Trobe Business School
-
Prof Carole-Anne Upton,Deputy Vice Chancellor, James Cook University Singapore
12:15 - 13:15
Lunch and Networking
13:15 - 14:15
Parallel Panels
13:15 - 14:15
Panel 4: Sustainability
Teaching About Sustainability in Higher Education and Building International Partnerships
Moderator:
Dr Raymond Tan
De La Salle University Philippines
​
Panelists:
-
Dr Brodie Beales, Executive Director CIFAL, University of Newcastle (UoN)
-
Dr Emmanuel D. Delocado, Executive Director, ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture Ateneo de Manila University
-
Dr Astri Dewayani MD, Airlangga University, Indonesia
-
Dr Amy Lim, Murdoch University, Singapore
13:15 - 14:15
Panel 5: Mobility
Enhancing ASEAN Australian Student Mobility Experience and Best Practice in Managing New Colombo Plan and AUN Student Placements
Moderator:
Sophie Horgan
Counsellor Education and Research, Australian High Commission Malaysia
​
Panelists:
-
Liz Smith, Director Transnational Education Mobility and Partnerships, Western Sydney University
-
Dr Diep Nguyen, School of Education, Deakin University
-
Jonathan Pei, ASEAN Australia Strategic Youth Partnership
-
Mdm Rafiza Hashim, Director Global Mobility Centre, Universiti Malaya
-
Sarah Anderton, Snr International Partnerships Advisor, James Cook University (JCU)
13:15 - 14:15
Panel 6: Innovation
AI in Higher Education - What Are the Challenges and How Can AI Enhance the Student Experience
Moderator:
Associate Prof Dr Azaul Qualid Md, Sabri
Dept of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and IT, University of Malaya
​
Panelists:
-
Innovative Research Universities (IRU)
-
Prof Judyth Sachs, Chief Academic Officer, Studiosity
-
Dr Eng. Ayu Purwarianti, S.T., M.T Institut Teknologi Bandung
-
Associate Prof Greg Pritchard, President, Raffles University Malaysia
-
Prof Sender Dovchin, Dean International Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University
14:15 - 15:45
Afternoon Tea and Networking
15:45 - 17:15
Conversations for Building Partnerships and Mobility:
One-on-one Link and Match on Common Research Interests and Partnership Opportunities.
OR
Workshop 1 ASEAN Australia Qualifications Recognition - challenges & opportunities:
The workshop includes Professor Christopher Ziguras, Director Centre for Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne and ASEAN colleagues.
OR
Workshop 2 Curriculum Development Supported by Generative AI - a practical toolkit:
This workshop will be led by the CEO of OpenLearning, Adam Brimo.
17:15 - 19:00
Free Time
19:00 - 21:00
AAED Opening Reception
Citadines Connect George Town
202, Lebuh Noordin, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia - 2 minutes walk from St Giles Wembley Hotel
​
Welcome Remarks
Wednesday 3 December – Parallel Panels & Masterclasses
Note: Parallel Panels and Masterclasses occur simultaneously in each time slot.
Opening Sessions
9:00 - 9:15
Welcome
Prof Narimah, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and International, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
9:15 - 9:25
Welcome
Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education
9:25 - 9:35
Welcome
Sophie Horgan, Counsellor Education and Research, Australian High Commission
9:35 - 10:00
Introduction to the ASEAN Australia Centre
Focus Areas for Partnership Development, Case Studies and Grant Funding Guidelines (tbc)
10:00 - 10:30
Morning Tea and Networking
10:30 - 11:30
Parallel Panels and Masterclass
10:30 - 11:30
Panel 7: Sustainability
Equitable and Sustainable Strategies for the Energy Transition to Net Zero - Australia and in ASEAN’s Mining and Energy Sectors
Moderator:
Prof Jennifer Boddy
Dean Sustainability and Rankings, Griffith University
​
Panelists:
-
Dr Faizal Baharum, School of Housing Building and Planning, USM
-
Prof Raymond Tan, Vice President Research & Innovation, De La Salle University
-
​Dr Brodie Beales, Executive Director CIFAL, University of Newcastle (UoN)
-
Prof Meng Nan Chong, Director for Net-Zero Technology, (Future Centre) Monash University Malaysia
10:30 - 11:30
Panel 8: Mobility
Building English Language Best Practice in Transnational Education
Moderator:
Hossein Davari
Director, SEUP, RMIT Vietnam
Panelists:
-
Assoc. Prof Dr Shaidatul Akmar, School of Language, Literacies and Translation (SoLLaT), University Sains Malaysia (USM)
-
Dr Sharon Leslie, Director of English Language Programs, Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia
-
​Prof Carole-Anne Upton, Deputy Vice Chancellor, James Cook University, Singapore
10:30 - 11:30
Masterclass: Inclusivity
Building Higher Education Access for Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Students
Moderator:
Julie Wilkens-McMahon
Times Higher Education (THE) Vice President APAC
​
Panelists:
-
Prof Abhishek Bhati, University of Newcastle Singapore (UoN)
-
Liz Smith, Director Transnational Education Mobility and Partnerships, Western Sydney University
-
Dr Loh Sau Cheong, Director, AUN -DPPnet ASEAN University Network-Disability and Public Policy (APPnet)
-
Dr Sender Dovchin, Dean International, Humanities Faculty, Curtin University
10:30 - 11:30
Masterclass: Inclusivity
Building Higher Education Access for Disadvantaged Students
Moderator:
Julie Wilkens-McMahon
Times Higher Education (THE) Vice President APAC
​
Panelists and Affiliations:
-
Prof Abhishek Bhati, University of Newcastle Singapore (UON)
-
Liz Smith, Director Transnational Education Mobility and Partnerships, Western Sydney University (WSU)
-
Dr Loh Sau Cheong, Director, ASEAN University Network-Disability and Public Policy (AUN -DPPnet)
11:30 - 12:30
Parallel Panels
11:30 - 12:30
Panel 9 Sustainability
Introduction to “The ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan (2026-2030)”
Moderator:
Dr Suchana Apple Chavanich
Deputy Director Aquatic Resources Institute, Chulalongkorn University
​
Presenter:
Michelle Voyer
Principal Research Fellow, Australian National Centre for Oceans Research and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong (UOW)
​
Panelists and Affiliations:
-
Jose Domingos, Deputy Director JCU Singapore, Tropical Futures Institute
-
Dr Marleen Schutter, World Fish and Dalhousie University
-
Assoc. Prof Dr. Sazlina Salleh, Center for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
-
Prof Dr Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir, Pro Vice Chancellor, UMT
11:30 - 12:30
Panel 10: Mobility and Research Links
Strengthening ASEAN and Australian relations with State, City, People to People and Sporting Links
Moderator:
Michael Fay (OAM)
AAED Convenor
​
Case Studies from:
-
Dr Thor Kerr, Curtin University. East Java and Western Australia Higher Education Research Partnership
-
Renee Tennent, Director, Study NT, Department of Trade, Business, and Asian Relations, Darwin Northern Territory (NT) and Dili, Timor Leste
-
Assoc. Prof Dr Thanapan Laiprapkopsub, AUN Executive Director
-
Alia Jaafar, Director, Trade and Investment NSW, Kuala Lumpur
-
Dato Ooi Kee Beng, Penang Institute Executive Director, George Town Penang/Adelaide Sister City Agreement
11:30 - 12:30
Panel 11: Innovation
Skills Training and TVET Innovation, Projects and Industry Partnerships
Moderator:
Prof Romy Lawson
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Flinders University Adelaide ​
​
Panelists:
-
Des Perkins, Associate Director Global Relations and Partnerships, Holmesglen Institute
-
Prof Dr Yeap Gik Hong, UOW Malaysia
-
Nina Ianello, Global Engagement Coordinator, Charles Darwin University (CDU)
-
Prof Scott Thompson-Whiteside, Pro Vice Chancellor RMIT University Vietnam
12:30 - 13:30
Group Photo + Lunch and Networking
13:30 - 14:30
Parallel Panels
13:30 - 14:30
Panel 12: Sustainability
Water Quality and Community Impact - Challengers for ASEAN and Australia
Moderator:
Prof Kirsten Benkendorff
National Marine Sciences Centre, Southern Cross University (SCU) Australia
​
Panelists:
-
Assoc. Prof Dr Fatin Izatti Minhat, Coordinator Centre for Ocean Governance, INOS, UMT
-
Dr Zarul Hazrin Hashim, School of Biological Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
-
Assoc. Prof Dr Chaiwat Rongsayamanont, Prince of Songkla University
-
Dr Endang Jamal, Pattimura University Ambon Maluku, Indonesia
13:30 - 14:30
Panel 13: Mobility
ASEAN and Australian Qualifications Recognition and Partnership Development
Moderator:
Prof Simon Tormey
Dean Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University
​
Panelists and Affiliations:
-
Quah Zheng Wei,CEO Accredify Singapore, Qualifications Recognition & Verification
-
Prof Hon Wei Min, DVC University of Wollongong Malaysia
-
Dr Faliq Razak, Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS)Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
-
Prof Christopher Ziguras, Director Centre for Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne
13:30 - 14:30
Panel 14: Innovation
What is working in AI and Digital Innovation for Higher Education?
Moderator:
Claire Field​
Director, Claire Field & Associates
​
Panelists:
-
Prof Dr Sinchai Komolphiwong, Prince of Songkla University Thailand
-
Adam Brimo ,CEO, Open Learning Limited (OLL), ASEAN and Australia
-
Prof Chengyuan (Stephen) Xu, Charles Darwin University (CDU) Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods
14:30 - 15:00
Afternoon Tea and Networking
14:30 - 15:15
15:00 - 15:45
Plenary Panel
“ASEAN Australia Education Partnerships-Looking Forward 2026-2030
Priorities & Challenges”
Moderator:
Claire Field
Director, Claire Field & Associates
​
Panelists:
-
Michael Fay, Convenor, AAED
-
Prof Scott Thompson-Whiteside, Pro Vice Chancellor, RMIT Vietnam
-
Dr Laurene Chua -Garcia, Technical Committee Expert for Transnational Higher Education, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippines
-
Dr Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Executive Director, AUN
-
Prof Narimah, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and International, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
14:30 - 15:15
15:45 - 16:30
Closing Plenary St Giles Wembley Hotel Ballroom
“Celebrating Timor Leste Joining AUN and the ASEAN Higher Education Community”
Moderator:
Prof Dato' Dr Sivamurugan a/l Pandian
​
Panelists:
-
AUN representative
-
Timor Leste representative (tbc)
-
Australian Government representative
-
Curtin University
-
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
-
USM
16:30 - 19:00
Free Time
19:00 - 21:30
AAED Dinner
Sponsored by the University of Newcastle
Hawker Style at St Giles Wembley Hotel Ballroom
Dress: National Dress or Smart Casual
Malaysian multi-cultural music and dance performance
Thursday 4 December
Morning Site Visits
Transfer by bus at time listed below to chosen Site Visit with return to hotel for the farewell lunch
(Site Visit Advance Bookings are Essential)
8:30
Includes Roundtable on Food Security: Aquaculture and Fisheries Management
with:
-
JCU Tropical Futures Institute Singapore;
-
World Fish, Penang;
-
Universiti Terengganu Malaysia (UTM);
-
National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia
-
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
-
Aquatic Resources Institute, Chulalongkor University
-
Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong
​​
9:00
Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC)
Malaysia's leading Centre of Excellence for Skills and Talent Development serving regional and global companies.
​
Website: https://psdc.org.my/
9:30
Penang Hill UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
An authentic, diverse, and educational Malaysian rainforest experience.
Website: https://thehabitat.my/
9:30
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Presentations on Research Areas, Mobility Opportunities and Partnership Development including National Higher Education Research Institute USM (IPPTN) Website: ipptn.usm.my
Website: https://www.usm.my/en/
9:30
Showcasing the work of the Penang Institute and research partnerships on ASEAN and Malaysian regional priorities.
​
Roundtable with Australian University Asia focused research centres The Alfred Deakin Institute of Citizenship & Globalisation, Deakin University, the Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University, La Trobe Asia, RMIT Australia Vietnam Policy Institute.
Website: https://penanginstitute.org/