2026 Program

Start your summit experience with Higher Education in Focus — a day designed for people working in the sector to unpack the big issues shaping Australian universities today.

This dedicated prelude to the main event delivers practical insights, peer exchange and discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing higher education right now.

Across the following two days, the Solutions Summit brings together leaders from universities, government and industry for dynamic keynotes, deep-dive sessions and award celebrations - exploring how universities, in partnership with government and industry, can help Australia meet the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities of the future.

Expect sharp policy dialogue, sector-leading insights and exceptional networking as we showcase the best of Australian higher education.

Please note: Monday is reserved for closed Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor meetings.

All scheduling is provisional and subject to change.

Organisations or partners interested in hosting satellite events or meetings alongside the summit are encouraged to get in touch with our team at events@uniaus.edu.au

Click on a session to view additional information

Tuesday 24 February 2026

Solutions Summit day 1 - 
Higher Education in Focus

 

Wednesday 25 February 2026

Solutions Summit day 2 - 
Australia's economic, technological and social transformation

Thursday 26 February 2026

Solutions Summit day 3 - 
skills, partnerships and a globally connected future
 

Monday, February 23, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:00 PMUA and University Chancellors Council meetings (internal meeting)
3:00 PM - 6:00 PMUA Plenary meeting (internal meeting)
6:45 PM - 7:00 PMBus transfer
7:00 PM - 9:30 PMUniversities Australia and University Chancellors Council dinner (closed event)
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
7:00 AM - 8:00 AMRegistration
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMPutting First Nations at the heart of higher education
8:00 AM - 4:00 PMHigher Education in Focus
9:00 AM - 10:00 AMBridging divides: building respect and belonging on campus
9:00 AM - 10:00 AMUniversities as a force for global good
9:00 AM - 10:00 AMOpening knowledge: the future of scholarly publishing
10:00 AM - 10:30 AMMorning Tea
10:30 AM - 11:30 AMInternational education policy: an innovative way forward
10:30 AM - 11:30 AMStudent voice: universities and the health of our democracy
10:30 AM - 11:30 AMIntegrity in research: trust, transparency and the path forward
11:30 AM - 12:30 PMListen, learn and act together
11:30 AM - 12:30 PMProtecting discovery: research security in a global context
11:30 AM - 12:30 PMRegions rising: how universities power local futures
12:30 PM - 1:30 PMLunch
1:30 PM - 2:30 PMBeyond knowledge, culture and connection
1:30 PM - 2:30 PMRevitalizing Universities Social License to Operate – Possible Future Models
1:30 PM - 2:30 PMEducation as a Superhighway for Australia's Roadmap Delivery in India
2:30 PM - 3:30 PMSmarter regulation for a stronger sector
2:30 PM - 3:30 PMFunding the future: the economics of university sustainability
2:30 PM - 3:30 PMFinding and interrogating the purpose of the university
3:30 PM - 4:00 PMAfternoon Tea
4:00 PM - 5:00 PMKeynote address on learning and teaching innovation
4:00 PM - 5:00 PMKeynote address: Teaching and Learning - Reimagining learning for the next generation
4:00 PM - 7:30 PMWelcome reception
5:00 PM - 5:30 PMAustralian Awards for University Teaching
5:00 PM - 5:30 PMAustralian Awards for University Teaching
5:30 PM - 7:00 PMWelcome reception
7:15 PM - 9:30 PMSponsors and VCs Networking BBQ (closed event)
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
6:45 AM - 7:30 AMRegistration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMWednesday breakfast address - The Impact of AI on Professional Communication and Creativity
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMWednesday breakfast address
8:30 AM - 8:35 AMWelcome
8:35 AM - 9:05 AMOpening Keynote Address
9:05 AM - 9:25 AMKeynote Address
9:25 AM - 10:10 AMUniversities as engines of growth
10:10 AM - 10:55 AMTourism, trade & soft power
10:55 AM - 11:20 AMMorning tea
11:20 AM - 11:55 AMAustralia’s path to becoming an energy superpower
11:55 AM - 1:30 PMLunch and NPC Address Streaming
12:00 PM - 1:30 PMNational Press Club address lunch
1:30 PM - 2:05 PMUniversities & the regions
2:05 PM - 2:25 PMKeynote address: Harnessing data for national decision making
2:25 PM - 3:00 PMResearch, innovation and sovereign manufacturing
3:00 PM - 3:20 PMAfternoon tea
3:20 PM - 3:55 PMUniversities and National Security
3:55 PM - 4:10 PMKeynote address: The human story behind social licence
4:10 PM - 4:45 PMBuilding social licence and trust in institutions
4:45 PM - 5:00 PMSummit close
6:00 PM - 6:30 PMBus transfer
6:00 PM - 9:30 PMSummit dinner and Shaping Australia Awards presentations
6:00 PM - 9:30 PMSummit dinner and Shaping Australia Awards presentations
Thursday, February 26, 2026
6:45 AM - 7:30 AMRegistration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMThursday breakfast address
7:30 AM - 8:30 AMThursday breakfast address
8:30 AM - 8:35 AMWelcome
8:35 AM - 8:55 AMKeynote address
8:55 AM - 9:45 AMThe changing shape of skills education and work
9:45 AM - 10:05 AMKeynote address
10:00 AM - 10:55 AMResponsible AI & emerging technologies
10:55 AM - 11:20 AMMorning tea
11:20 AM - 11:50 AMKeynote/in conversation
11:50 AM - 12:30 PMDeepening regional ties – the future of international and transnational education
12:30 PM - 1:05 PMStudent futures – belonging, safety & success
1:05 PM - 2:00 PMLunch
2:00 PM - 2:35 PMKeynote address
2:35 PM - 3:15 PMUniversity-industry partnerships that work
3:15 PM - 3:40 PMKeynote address: Mission possible: inspiring the next generation of thinkers 
3:40 PM - 3:45 PMSummit close