It was a pleasure to attend the 2025 Universities Australia Solutions Summit, held on February 25–26 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. This annual event brings together leaders from academia, government, and industry to explore challenges and opportunities facing the Australian higher education sector.
Key takeaways from the summit
Political Engagement and Policy Proposals
Both sides of government reaffirmed their commitment to the higher education sector, acknowledging that “Universities matter.” Discussions centred on strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability by improving educational outcomes and better preparing students for life beyond school—particularly in line with future skills demands.
While international students and global research collaboration received less attention this year, there was a clear focus on aligning research efforts with national economic priorities to drive greater economic returns.
- Labor’s Vision:
Education Minister Jason Clare outlined plans for the creation of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to oversee major reforms. These include addressing skills shortages, strengthening student protections, and improving access for disadvantaged and regional communities. Proposed changes also include reducing HECS debts and lowering course costs. - Coalition’s Perspective:
Opposition education spokesperson Sarah Henderson emphasised the importance of prioritising domestic students and enhancing student safety. She expressed concerns over universities’ dependence on international student revenue and flagged declining academic performance in schools.
Sector Challenges and Funding Debates
Luke Sheehy, Chief Executive of Universities Australia, highlighted growing financial pressures faced by institutions. He proposed redirecting funding from infrastructure projects toward education and research. This sparked robust debate on university funding models and their broader role in society.
Recognition of University Contributions
The Shaping Australia Awards celebrated outstanding university-led innovations, which is always a popular highlight of the evening. Notable examples included:
- RMIT’s project repurposing coffee waste to strengthen concrete, and
- The University of Sydney’s pioneering work on cereal rust disease.
These projects exemplify the sector’s tangible contributions to Australia’s development and innovation landscape.
Commitment to Campus Safety
Universities Australia announced the upcoming release of a new survey on sexual harassment and assault on campuses, reinforcing the sector’s ongoing commitment to student safety and well-being.
In Summary, the 2025 Summit provided a valuable platform for open dialogue and strategic thinking. It reinforced the vital role of universities in shaping Australia’s future and the importance of their involvement in policy development. Collaborative, cross-sector engagement remains essential to building resilient, future-focused higher education policy and practice.
Universities Australia have generously shared all session recordings, photos and highlights on their website.
Sharyn Gowans is an Executive Search Partner specialising in international senior executive appointments in the higher education and VET sectors. Bringing together hands-on learnings from the academic environment with an outcome-focussed approach from the corporate world, Sharyn is passionate about partnering with clients and candidates to deliver exceptional outcomes that genuinely impact organisational and individual success.
