HEDx: Commitments For Employers And Communities

The issue of how and what students learn with regard to their future employers and communities is becoming an increasingly important commitment.

This interactive and dynamic session will kick-off with a live cross to Western Sydney University where Lev Gonick (CIO of Arizona State University) will be in conversation with PVC Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy on how employer collaboration is key to AI skill development in global best practice.

This will be followed by two deep-dive UniSC case studies. In these, Professor Helen Bartlett and Alex Elibank Murray lead a provocative conversation to generate insights from staff colleagues Rania Shibl and Leah Barclay and their students Doc Nguyen and Callum Phillips.

They are also joined by employer partners in Yasminka Nemet Future Skills Lead from Microsoft and Tracy Whitelaw MBA GAICD Founder and CEO of HavenXR.

PANEL SPEAKERS:

Professor Helen Bartlett (Host) - Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast

Alex Elibank Murray - Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement), University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr Leah Barclay - Senior Lecturer - Design, University of the Sunshine Coast

Yasminka Nemet - Future Skills Lead, Microsoft

Duc Nguyen - Student, University of the Sunshine Coast

Callum Phillips - Student, University of the Sunshine Coast

A/Professor Rania Shibl - former Technology Lead, University Of The Sunshine Coast and currently Associate Dean Education, Southern Cross University

Tracey Whitelaw - HavenXR, Founder and CEO

DATE: Tuesday 10 March 2026

TIME: 10.30am for 11.00am start

DURATION: 11.00am - 1.00pm (2hrs)

VENUE: MBA1-G.23 Auditorium 1

UniSC Moreton Bay, 1 Moreton Parade, Petrie QLD 4502

Tea/coffee on arrival. Please join us for a light lunch reception in the foyer after the event, 1.00-1.30pm.

This in-person event is part of the resumed program for the recent HEDx: Our Commitments To Students In The Age Of AI conference presented at The University Of Queensland on 5 November 2025.