Reimagining HigherEd

Ted Mitchell, President, American Council on Education (ACE)

Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE) joins host and Studiosity Senior Fellow, Goldie Blumenstyk for a deep dive into the current state of higher education in the U.S., which Goldie refers to as “different than anything I've ever seen in my 36 years of reporting.” They discuss the urgent need to evaluate universities and colleges by civic impact and social mobility rather than post-graduation earnings alone, while identifying policy unpredictability as today's top senior leadership challenge. Warning against the "deceptive easiness" of AI and consequential “watering down” of degree value, Ted explains why faculty must bring the intellectual struggle back into learning by pushing students to interrogate what is wrong with their own arguments.

LIVE RECORDING: Skills for the Future - Preparing for an uncertain world | a 'Students First' Symposium

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 Sophia Bell, 5th year law student, University of Newcastle

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Jane Rosenzweig, Former Director of Harvard College Writing Center

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, Enderun Colleges

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Protecting the act of thinking: Aligning policy and infrastructure webinar

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.

Professor Colin Stirling, President and Vice-Chancellor, Flinders University

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.

Prof Hany El Kadi, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Liwa University

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, CEO and President of New York Academy of Sciences & Studiosity Academic Advisory Board member

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.

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His Excellency Dr. Mansoor Alawar, Chancellor, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU)

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.

Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, CEO, Bahrain Polytechnic

"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.

Dr Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence, Abu Dhabi University

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, Austin Community College District (ACC)

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, RIT Dubai

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.

Prof Zlatko Skrbis, Vice-Chancellor and President, Australian Catholic University (ACU)

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: The challenge faced by university leaders to avoid managing defensively, during budget cuts. 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.

Prof Bassam Alameddine, President, American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)

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 with Prof Judyth Sachs

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, University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU)

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.

LIVE recording: First Nations student panel for National Reconciliation Week 2026

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.

Prof Michael Donovan - Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous at La Trobe University - on Reconciliation in Higher Education

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, Western Governors University

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.