The past week has been a powerful reminder of what makes our sector unique: a shared commitment to collaboration, leadership, and innovation in the face of rapid change.
The THETA Conference and CAUDIT Autumn Members' Meeting were both resounding successes. Across five days, we heard from thought leaders, experts, and peers on the issues shaping the future of higher education and technology. From the transformational impact of AI to the evolving nature of work and leadership, the conversations were bold, timely, and deeply engaging.
The keynotes at THETA set the tone. Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz opened the conference by challenging us to catch up to the present, urging institutions to move beyond hype and truly harness the value of AI for delivering incredible learning experiences. Sisonke Msimang reminded us that storytelling is how higher education connects, leads, and evolves. Professor Simon Ellingsen showed how global science can create real local impact. Gry Stene challenged us to think differently about AI, not just what it can do, but who it serves. Professor Barney Glover offered a compelling vision for the future of Australia’s labour market and the role higher education must play in shaping it. Dr Craig Challen shared his extraordinary experience of the Thai cave rescue, offering powerful lessons on composure, resilience, and teamwork under pressure. Jill Benn invited us to reflect on transformation through the lens of people, place, and nature, reminding us that leadership grounded in collaboration and sustainability will shape the future of our institutions.
At the Autumn Members' Meeting, we continued these conversations in a more focused forum. Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness closed the meeting with a powerful reminder that cybersecurity is not a competitive space; it is a shared responsibility. Her briefing reinforced the importance of collective effort, trust, and shared purpose in building sector-wide resilience.
Throughout both events, what stood out most was the energy. From packed keynote sessions to informal catch-ups over coffee, the spirit of collaboration was tangible. The exhibition floor was buzzing, concurrent sessions were rich with insight, and hallway conversations sparked ideas that will no doubt continue to grow well beyond the event.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed - our speakers, session chairs, partners, and above all, our members. Your ongoing passion, openness, and dedication are what power this community. Events like these remind us that progress is not just about technology; it is about people coming together with a shared vision.
Together, we are not only responding to the winds of change; we are harnessing them. And we are doing this with purpose, partnership, and a clear commitment to delivering lasting impact for our institutions and the communities we serve.
Greg Sawyer
Chief Executive Officer, CAUDIT
