Reimagining HigherEd

How can higher education prepare graduates for an era defined by AI, rapid workplace changes, and technological uncertainty? In this Live recording, Studiosity Chief Academic Officer Prof Judyth Sachs hosts a panel of higher education leaders and a student perspective to examine the intersection of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), enduring human capabilities, and responsible AI integration. Discover why institutions are moving away from transient 'skills' lists to focus on adaptive expertise, critical thinking, agentic sense-making, and citizenship.

Key Topics Covered:

Scaling Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Lessons from Swinburne's universal WIL model and Newcastle's compulsory career-ready placements.

Enduring capabilities vs. transient skills: Why adaptive expertise, creativity, curiosity, and good citizenship matter more than short-term technical tool mastery.

AI in curriculum & pedagogy: How technology can transform WIL, and why educator capability is the critical first step.

The student voice on AI: Why teaching critical thinking, reasoning, and human connection is essential when integrating AI tools into study and practice.

Your panel:

Prof Judyth Sachs – Chief Academic Officer, Studiosity (Chair)

Prof Steven Warburton – Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Innovation, University of Newcastle

Prof Ruth Bridgstock – Professor of Education Transformation - Capabilities, Swinburne University of Technology

Prof Sherman Young – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, RMIT University

Former Director of Harvard College Writing Center, Jane Rosenzweig, sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs to explore why writing is far more than just an assignment to grade; rather it is a tool for critical thinking and intellectual discovery, that empowers students to develop their own voice and appreciate the value of thinking for themselves. Drawing on decades of teaching experience, Jane speaks about the role of human connection in learning, whereby teachers and peers go on the journey with a student, something that AI cannot replicate. Jane speaks directly to today’s leaders, urging the sector to slow down to reflect on the core capabilities of future graduates and to ensure technology supports independent thinking and the transformative cognitive struggle, rather than replaces it.

Dr. Jun Salipsip, President of Enderun Colleges in the Philippines, sits down with Prof. Judyth Sachs to reflect on what it means to prepare students for an unpredictable future. Moving beyond traditional lectures, Dr. Salipsip breaks down Enderun’s hands-on approach - from building an "experience bank" of real-world challenges to using inquiry-driven curriculum that teaches students how to think, evaluate bias, and prioritise community over individualism.

Reflecting on his journey which he likens to a ‘skipping stone’, and recent American Chamber of Commerce “Icon of Excellence” Award, Jun shares grounded leadership advice for navigating radical disruption: do away with perfectionism, stay curious, and learn continuously.

Dr. Paul LeBlanc, former ACE Board Chair and President Emeritus of Southern New Hampshire University, joins Troy Burnett, SVP and GM of Studiosity, to explore AI impact on trust and public perception within the higher education space, unpacking the policy frameworks necessary to safeguard the inherent value of a degree in an AI-driven landscape.

Can higher education look beyond bureaucracy and rankings to achieve transformative scale? Join Professor Colin Stirling, President and Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University in conversation with your host, Professor Judyth Sachs as they explore purpose-driven leadership and the strategy behind Flinders' bold mission to transform 10 million lives over the next decade. Drawing on his lived experience as a first-in-family student, Prof. Stirling outlines how the university is dismantling barriers for underrepresented communities and prioritising modern assessment models that show genuine learning and adaptability in a digital-first era.

Professor Hany El Kadi, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Liwa University joins host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate, sharing insights on how senior leaders can navigate assessment, ethics, and student trust in the age of AI.

Encouraging a shift toward evaluation that considers the students learning process, Prof El Kadi says "We can no longer assess students the way we have been" and highlights early ethics education over punitive surveillance, reminding leaders "We are educators, we are not policemen". In a time when information is available instantly, this conversation serves as a reminder for universities to come back to their core mission: guiding student learning while nurturing irreplaceable interpersonal skills and human connections.

Dr. Nicholas Dirks, former Chancellor of UC Berkeley, President and CEO of New York Academy of Sciences, and Studiosity Academic Advisory Board member joins Prof. Judyth Sachs for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the role of leaders and educators in adapting pedagogy to spark curiosity in students and stay relevant amid rapid change.

Drawing on decades of leadership, Dr. Dirks discusses key pressures reshaping the sector: rising tuition that has outpaced demonstrated value; the squeeze on humanities and liberal arts, even as Nick argues AI makes critical thinking and ethical reasoning more essential; and a culture of credentialism that discourages curiosity well before students reach university. As he reflects, institutions never set out to build "a Maserati or a Bentley" and yet that’s what has happened. A valuable listen for leaders rethinking their university's future.

His Excellency Dr. Mansoor Alawar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) joins host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate to discuss the transformation of higher education in the UAE, emphasising the shift from knowledge transmission to fostering critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and lifelong learning.

Seeing AI as a transformation engine, H.E. Dr. Alawar shares his forward-thinking vision, urging senior leaders to rethink their institution’s value proposition, assessment methods, and operational structures in an era where knowledge is abundant, accessible, and rapidly changing. Hear how HBMSU puts this into practice with continuous assessment that evaluates the students' learning process - through early drafts, reasoning, and decision-making - not just the final product.

"What are we building the future of our students on? Is it on a solid foundation or is it on a deck of cards that can fall at any change in the wind?"

In this latest episode, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Polytechnic, joins host Dr. Ashraf Mahate to explore how universities can uphold academic integrity and degree value through critical thinking, responsible AI integration, and strong industry partnerships. Highlighting his "3 Cs" framework, Prof. Ó Catháin details a practical model for linking education with industry, giving graduates both the immediate job-ready skills and long-term career adaptability to thrive.

Host Dr Ashraf Mahate recently sat down with Abu Dhabi University's Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence, Dr Hamad Odhabi, for a chat about how he sees the current and future state of Higher Education. They discussed:

Strategies for maintaining academic credibility by evaluating the incremental process of learning rather than relying solely on final assignment submissions.

The evolution of higher education from traditional lecture models toward interactive, evidence-based learning journeys in the age of generative AI.

Abu Dhabi University’s structured AI initiatives, including faculty AI certification, graduate attribute tracking, and personalized support for at-risk students.

Why physical campuses, human mentorship, and real-world industry collaboration remain irreplaceable in developing human capability.