McCusker Institute End of Year Thought Leaders Exchange

Join us for a dynamic conversation and celebration that brings together educators, industry leaders, and alumni to share insights on how we can collectively shape future-ready learning.

Today’s global challenges transcend borders, disciplines, and industries—demanding new approaches to education, collaboration, and innovation. As the future of work evolves at an unprecedented pace, the need for transdisciplinary skills, life-long learning, and collaborative problem-solving, as well as learning to navigate the inevitable transitions and disruptions that we will all face – has never been more urgent. 

The McCusker Institute’s end of year Thought Leaders Exchange explores how emerging education models are rising to meet that need—equipping the next generation with the knowledge, experiences, and skills to lead transformative social change, and will consider how we can better support learners into and through education pathways across all life stages. This will be grounded in the practical example of Humanitarian Engineering - which integrates discipline expertise with humility, systems thinking, care and community collaboration to address real-world challenges.

This is an opportunity to connect with students and alumni, ANU leaders, education practitioners, and industry partners driving future collaboration; as well as to celebrate the award of the McCusker Prize in Humanitarian Engineering to support students contributing to meaningful social impact.

This Thought Leaders Exchange is hosted by the ANU McCusker Institute in collaboration with Pearson.

McCusker Institute is committed to fostering a vibrant transdisciplinary community that connects, engages and inspires community-minded leaders to address complex societal issues.

Pearson is a leading global learning company dedicated to helping people make progress in their lives through access to better learning. Their recent report, 'Lost in Transition : Fixing the “Learn to Earn” Skills Gap' explores how more effective learning and clear skilling pathways accelerate progress for people, business and society.

Canapés and refreshments will be provided. Please register for catering purposes.

Speakers
The Hon Julie Bishop, Chancellor of The Australian National University

In a political career spanning over 20 years, she served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in addition to Minister for Education, Science and Training, Minister for Women’s Issues and Minister for Ageing. 

Taha Haidermota, Australia Country Head and Vice President Legal, APAC at Pearson

Taha Haidermota is a business leader and subject-matter expert with over 20 years practice in law, education, and enterprise. He's a champion of research and evidence and brings deep knowledge of Australia’s education sector, aligning compliance, quality, and innovation to improve learner outcomes.

Robert Care AM, Chair of RedR Australia and RedR International

Chair of RedR Australia, RedR International and the Community of Practice for Humanitarian Engineering of Engineers Australia with extensive leadership and governance experience in the fields of engineering, humanitarian practice and education.

Sunny Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer at Abundant Water

Sunny Forsyth is a systems engineer turned social entrepreneur with a deep commitment to creating sustainable solutions for global challenges. As the founder and CEO of Abundant Water, he leads initiatives that deliver clean drinking water to remote communities using innovative, grassroots approaches.

Professor Ying-Yi Chih, Associate Dean (Students and Industry - College of Business and Economics

Ying-Yi Chih is a multiple-award-winning educator and globally recognised scholar who addresses complex project management challenges from social-psychological perspectives. She leads the College’s careers and student employability portfolio that has successfully enhanced students’ employability, workforce transition, and career success in the global job market.

Photo credit : Susan Q Yin