From policy to practice: Student equity at global, national and local levels

World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) returns on Tuesday 28 October 2025 - a global day of action dedicated to raising awareness of inequalities in access to and success in higher education. 

EPHEA (Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Association), ACSES (Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success) and the UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion are proud to host a compelling three-part online event. In this series of online panel sessions, our speakers will explore student equity from global, national, and local perspectives, highlighting the shared challenges and innovations.

WAHED online program

Global session: Student equity across borders

On-demand session available from 28 October
The global session brings together international experts to explore higher education equity across regions, sharing lessons from Africa, the UK, and globally to inform policy, practice, and advocacy.
Submit your questions to the panellists here.

Confirmed speakers:  Shamit Saggar (Chair), David Mills (East/West Africa), Jamil Salmi (global), Samina Khan (UK), with an Australian context included.

National session: The future of student equity policy in Australia

12.00–12.45 pm AEDT

The national session provides an update on Australian funding and policy directions, outlining what policymakers are doing to enable equitable access and success in higher education. Speakers will explore ways to leverage policy as an opportunity to drive a cohesive and connected tertiary education system. 

Confirmed speakers: Sonal Singh (Chair), Professor Barney Glover AO (Jobs and Skills Commissioner) and Professor Peter Anderson (Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, UNE)

Local session: Understanding and amplifying your impact

1.00–1.45 pm AEDT

The local session showcases innovative approaches to widening access and success in higher education from a local perspective. Through lightning talks, speakers will explore challenges in achieving impact, present new evidence, and highlight practical initiatives that support underserved students.

Confirmed speakers: Tim Pitman (Chair), Lexi Rollins (University of Notre Dame), Rebecca Walker (Curtin University), Elisa McGowan (University of Western Australia), Christopher Carter (UTS), Robert Vanderburg (Central Queensland University), Dimitria Groutsis (USYD) and Lyndel Kennedy (La Trobe University).

WAHED online event series presented by:

EPHEA (Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Association), ACSES (Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success) and the UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion