Reimagining HigherEd

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.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of Austin Community College (ACC) joins host Prof. Judyth Sachs for an insightful, practical conversation on overcoming bureaucracy to put students back at the center of higher education.

They discuss:

Building systems for students: Dr. Lowery-Hart assumed student dropouts were driven by pedagogical gaps. Listening to students revealed the real hurdles occurred outside the classroom.

Frontline empowerment: In a complex system that defaults to telling stakeholders “no”, ACC intentionally redesigned its operations to enable frontline staff to fix broken processes without needing multi-layered approvals.

Scaling human interaction, not automation: ACC is embracing AI to provide a more responsive, personalized learning environment that enhances proactive outreach and human connection the moment a student begins to struggle.

Dr. Khalid Khawaja, Provost, Vice President Academic Affairs at RIT Dubai, sits down with host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate to share a bold vision for adapting higher education in this AI era.

They discuss:

The importance of agile, clear AI strategy in curriculum design to embed the right tools that enhance learning without sacrificing foundational skills.

Finding new ways for graduates to build real-world experience as technology automates entry-level tasks and junior roles.

How universities can pivot to foster what AI can't replace: human connection, social intelligence, and lifelong learning.

This week, Prof Zlatko Skrbis, Australian Catholic University (ACU) Vice-Chancellor and President sits down with your host Prof Judyth Sachs, to unpack what it actually takes to run a university in a period of constant disruption. 

They discuss:

How ACU balances a nationwide presence with tight-knit, local community campuses to secure #1 for employer satisfaction and #2 for student experience (QILT ESS & SES surveys, 2025).

Prof Skrbis encourages leaders to intentionally prioritise human relationships over technology automation, as the value of a university degree shifts from what a student knows to how they relate, reflect, and connect.

In this new episode, host Dr Ashraf Mahate sits down with Prof Bassam Alameddine, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), to discuss future-proofing the next generation of graduates.

Prof Bassam shared how his own formative journey and struggles - including growing up during the Lebanese civil war - taught him resilience and humility, traits that now drive his forward-thinking approach to leadership.

They discuss: 

How universities must prioritize teaching the human inflection points that machines can't replicate: critical thinking, curiosity, humility, empathy, and teamwork.

AURAK was the first university in the UAE to offer a Bachelors degree in AI. Instead of hiding from technology or acting like police, educators must lean into transparency and teach students to use AI critically and responsibly.

Creating employers, not only employees, with interdisciplinary projects combining engineering, business, and mass media. AURAK's goal is fostering a true entrepreneurial spirit so graduates build businesses and strive for impact, rather than just apply for jobs.

Prof Bassam explores how education is no longer about sitting in rows and absorbing passive lectures. It’s about agility, experiential learning, and lifelong adaptability.

Jack Goodman, Founder of Studiosity, joins Chief Academic Officer Prof. Judyth Sachs to explore the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence on higher education, underpinned by the need to rebuild trust in the student-teacher relationship. Goodman addresses the dangers of "cognitive surrender" and the rise of plausible "AI slop," advocating for a shift away from a "police and punish" model toward a pedagogy-first approach. He discusses embedding iterative student-led validation into institutional infrastructure to ensure students can actively demonstrate their learning journeys, calling on university leadership to make strategic changes that put teaching and learning back at the heart of the institutional mission.

Dr. Joane Serrano, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) joins Prof. Judyth Sachs to discuss the future of open learning and equity in education. Grounded in her background in development communication, Dr. Serrano advocates for a contextualised, people-first strategy to leadership, sharing how UPOU is responding to opportunities and challenges in higher education today.

Rethinking academic integrity: Moving away from detection, faculty are finding new ways to validate learning, such as utilising forums and essays to identify signs of their student's unique voice in their writing.

Growing belonging: Students created immersive “digital twins” of UPOU’s physical campuses to create a sense of belonging for their fellow online learners.

Collaboration over competition: As more universities move online, UPOU is leaning into a mentoring role, to improve access and the quality of online education across the Philippines.

What does true belonging look like on a modern university campus? In this special live-recorded episode of Reimagining Higher Education, we take you directly to our National Reconciliation Week First Nations student panel, hosted by Studiosity at the Sydney Swans Headquarters on Gadigal Country (Moore Park). 

Chaired by UNSW's Deputy Vice Chancellor Indigenous, Prof Leanne Holt, we listen to the powerful wisdom and heard stories of the academic journeys of four incredible First Nations students: Siena, Tasya, Lachlan, and Jaiden.

Shifting away from a deficit mindset, these future leaders in medicine, law, and corporate marketing share positive, constructive insights on how universities can evolve past standard compliance and foster truly empowering experiences. Listen in to explore how building relational, wanted campus communities, expanding postgraduate research pathways, and decolonising knowledge systems can foster an environment where every student is set up to achieve extraordinary things.

In this special episode of the Reimagining Higher Education podcast, Prof Judyth Sachs sits down with Prof Michael Donovan, a Gumbaynggir man and Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) at La Trobe University, to explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledges and academic practice. 

Drawing on his diverse background as a nurse, teacher, and Fulbright Schola, Prof Donovan discusses moving beyond trying to 'crowbar' Indigenous content into the curriculum, advocating instead for a relational pedagogy that aligns Indigenous understandings with core disciplinary concepts. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic Indigenous governance and the necessity of "walking the walk" - from executive-level decision-making to building deep, listening-based relationships with community elders. 

Through his personal reflections on reconciliation, Prof Donovan offers a roadmap for institutional change that puts shared growth at its heart. 

Dr. Courtney Hills McBeth, Chief Academic Officer and Provost at Western Governors University (WGU) joins host Prof. Judyth Sachs, to discuss the "dual transformation" reshaping WGU.

They dive into:

Shifting demographics: How WGU is adapting now that 40% of its incoming online students are younger learners with limited career experience.

Fostering community: Building belonging in a digital space through scaled peer cohorts and a specialized faculty framework.

Leadership lessons: Courtney's insights as a former All-American soccer player and how she strategically manages her academic team's diverse strengths.