Programme: Thursday 27 November
Programme: day two
Location: University of Nairobi Towers, University Way
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Time |
Session |
Topic, speakers, further information |
|---|---|---|
|
8:30 - 9:00 |
Registration and networking |
Venue opens for the day with exhibition stands and networking. Refreshments will be available upon arrival. |
|
9:00 - 9:45 |
Welcome to ACU Congress |
Speakers:
Professor Colin Riordan, Chief Executive and Secretary General, Association of Commonwealth Universities
Professor Margaret Hutchinson, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi, Kenya |
|
9:45 - 11:00 |
Keynote speakers and Q&A |
Keynote speakers:
'From vision to action: higher education and the Commonwealth's 2025-2030 agenda'
Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary General, Commonwealth Secretariat
'Universities and their social impact in a changing world'
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women; Deputy President, South Africa; Chancellor, University of Johannesburg
|
|
11:00 - 11:45 |
Morning networking break
|
Refreshments available |
|
11:45 - 13:00 (Parallel session) |
Moderated closed door roundtable discussion |
Panel session: 'Shaping the future: global trends in Commonwealth higher education'
What will the next decade hold for higher education across the Commonwealth? This breakout discussion brings together international higher education leaders to explore emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector. From digital transformation and AI to funding models and global partnerships, the discussion will address the profound shifts universities must prepare for, particularly artificial intelligence, which is poised to radically alter society in the next 10-20 years. How can universities in the Commonwealth proactively shape debates around AI, ensure ethical integration, and prepare future leaders for this seismic technological change?
Session chair: Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda
Speakers: Professor Dr M R Kabir, Vice-Chancellor, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
Professor Hester Klopper, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Free State, South Africa
Dr Aishath Shehenaz Adam, Vice-Chancellor, Maldives National University, Maldives
|
|
11:45 - 13:00 (Parallel session) |
Moderated closed door roundtable discussion |
'Fuelling growth and securing support: economic impact, funding strategies, and sustainable investment for Commonwealth universities'
How can Commonwealth universities better demonstrate their economic and social value in an era of constrained funding? As universities across the Commonwealth continue to serve as engines of economic growth, innovation, and social mobility, the challenge remains: how can universities better communicate their value to governments and stakeholders in an era of tightening budgets and rising competition for resources?
This session will bring together delegates to discuss the findings of ACU-funded research on higher education’s economic contributions and explore strategies for securing sustainable investment. The discussion will also focus on innovative funding models, advocacy strategies and the importance of demonstrating universities’ critical role in national resilience and renewal. How can universities effectively win the hearts and minds of policymakers and the public, ensuring that they have the resources needed to drive prosperity and sustainable development across the Commonwealth? This session will also explore best practices for demonstrating impact and building long-term support for the higher education sector’s role in advancing economic growth, societal well-being and global progress across the Commonwealth.
Session chair: Professor Wendy Thompson CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of London, UK
Speakers: Michael Shouldice, Manager, Partnerships and Collaborations, Athabasca University, Canada
Professor A B M Obaidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh Open University, Bangladesh
Professor Colin Riordan, Chief Executive and Secretary General, Association of Commonwealth Universities
|
|
13:00 - 14:00 |
Lunch and networking |
|
|
14:00 - 15:30 (Parallel session) |
Moderated closed door roundtable discussion |
'Universities as catalysts for the future workforce'
With youth populations growing across the Commonwealth, how are universities preparing students for the skills of the future? This breakout session explores how institutions are working with governments and policymakers to shape regional and national workforce needs. With AI, digital transformation, and shifting economic landscapes disrupting traditional models, what innovations are emerging across the Commonwealth? What more needs to happen to ensure universities remain at the heart of national renewal? Join this discussion to explore bold ideas and practical solutions for the future of work.
Chair:
Ambassador Professor Royson Mukwena, Vice-Chancellor, Mulungushi University, Zambia
Speakers:
Dr Benson Honig, Chair of Human Resources and Management, De Groote School of Business, McMaster University, Canada
Dr Sionade Robinson, Vice-President (Enterprise, Engagement and Employability), City St George's University, UK
|
|
14:00 - 15:30 (Parallel session) |
Moderated closed door roundtable discussion |
'AI and the future of higher education in the Commonwealth: preparing for the unknown'
With artificial intelligence poised to radically reshape society, this session will focus on how universities can anticipate the impact of AI, from research to ethics to workforce preparation. How can institutions lead debates on AI's ethical use, and what new skillsets must universities prioritise to prepare students for this new era?
Session chair: Professor P M C Thilakerathne, Vice-Chancellor, Open University, Sri Lanka
Speaker: Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia
Professor Ruth Oji, Associate Professor, Driving Innovation in Higher Education Policy and Digital Transformation, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria
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|
15:30 - 16:00 |
Refreshments and networking |
|
|
16:00 - 17:15 |
Plenary area: 'fireside chat' |
'Resilient futures: reimagining higher education in an era of global instability?'
A provocative session on how universities can navigate shifting alliances, trade wars, and global instability, while leveraging the Commonwealth for collaboration and resilience.
Session chair: Professor Alan Shepard, President, Western University, Canada
Speakers: Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole, Secretary-General, Association of African Universities (AAU)
Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Former Co-Chair, Pacific Islands Research University Network (PIURN); Emeritus Professor, University of Adelaide, Australia; Former Vice Chancellor and President, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice Chancellor, University of Guyana, Guyana
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|
17:15 - 18:30 |
Break |
|
|
18:30 - late |
Evening reception and dinner with speeches and entertainment |
Speakers:
Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand; Chair, Association of Commonwealth Universities
Ms Ivy Mwai, Education and Skills Lead, Mastercard Foundation, Kenya |