IHEA Members Seminar Day 2023 – Special Address by TEQSA Commissioner

Independent Higher Education Australia (IHEA) members came together in Sydney for a seminar today to hear from guest speakers on some of the opportunities and challengers for Australia's independent higher education sector.

TEQSA Commissioner, Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake provided a state of play of Australia’s higher education sector and outlined some of the issues and challenges facing the sector.

Other guest speakers included Sally Sitou MP (Federal Member for Reid), Melinda Hatton (Tuition Protection Service Director), Lisa Bolton (Director QILT Research and Strategy), and Dan Hibbert (Program Director Digitary / My eQuals).

Federal Member for Reid, Sally Sitou MP, represented the Minster for Skills and Training - Hon Brendan O’Connor and spoke about recent developments in vocational education and training from a federal government perspective. Sally also gave a passionate personal story about the life-changing importance of education for social mobility and opportunity.

Australian Government Tuition Protection Services (TPS) Director, Melinda Hatton discussed tuition protection and challenges facing independent providers.

Director of QILT Research and Strategy at the Social Research Centre, Lisa Bolton outlined the 2022 QILT results with a focus on independent providers.

Program Director Digitary, Dan Hibbert provided members with an update on My e-Quals - the official tertiary credentials digital platform for the higher education sector, students, and verifiers. Dan also updated members on the international landscape for digital credentialing.

Dr Jerry Nockles (IHEA Deputy CEO) moderated the seminar.

An informative time was had by all.

IHEA thanks our guest speakers and members for their participation in this event.

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