Speakers

BLAIR, Ms Jan

Jan Blair is the Human Resources Coach at Russell McVeagh, a position she has held for the past fourteen years. Russell McVeagh is regarded as the preeminent commercial law firm in New Zealand with offices in Auckland and Wellington. As Human Resources Coach, her role involves overall national responsibility for summer clerk and graduate recruitment and their related programmes, providing an in-house coaching/counselling service for all partners, managers and staff as well as developing and facilitating training modules in the communication and inter-personal skills area.

Jan has been able to draw on her previous extensive background in education spanning thirty years at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, as a teacher, tutor, facilitator, coach, counsellor, senior manager and Principal of Kristin School. Jan is also a founding director of the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers.

Jan has a B.A majoring in Sociology and History, a Diploma in Teaching, a postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling and a postgraduate diploma in Dispute Resolution (mediation).

Ms Jan Blair will be speaking in Session 8: The 'Value of Partnerships' Workshop

BROWN, Professor Mark

Professor Mark Brown is Director of the National Centre for Teaching and Learning at Massey University, New Zealand. He is also Director of the Distance Education and Learning Futures Alliance (DELFA).

Mark has responsibility for strategic oversight of Massey University’s teaching and learning development services along with the distance education portfolio which includes approximately 16,000 distance learners.

Over the last five years Professor Brown has played a key leadership role in the implementation of several major university-wide digital learning and teaching initiatives, including a new online learning environment and the launch of Massey’s offshore distance education programme for international students living overseas.

Professor Brown serves on several international journal editorial boards and has published extensively in the areas of online, blended and distance learning. He is President of the New Zealand Association for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning (DEANZ) and Treasurer and an executive committee member of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCiLiTE). Mark is a recipient of a National Award for Sustained Excellence in Tertiary Teaching and an Executive Committee member of the New Zealand Academy of Tertiary Teaching Excellence.

Professor Mark Brown will speak in Session 6, the 'Value of Tertiary Education' Workshop | Download presentation (Members only; .pdf; 9.8MB)

CHANDRA, Professor Rajesh

Professor Rajesh Chandra is the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific. He took up his position on 15th July 2008.

Professor Chandra was the Foundation Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji before being appointed to the University of the South Pacific post. He has held various other senior academic positions.

From 1999-2003, Professor Chandra was the elected Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Universities’ Study Abroad Consortium (CUSAC). He has held visiting professorships/research fellowships at McGill University; the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury; the Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center, Honolulu; and the National Centre for Development Studies, Australian National University. From 1981-1985, Rajesh Chandra completed his PhD in Industrial/Development Geography at the University of British Columbia under the Canadian Commonwealth scholarship.

Professor Chandra has published over 48 articles in scholarly journals and books, authored/edited a number of books, and has presented over 70 conference and seminar papers. He has also acted as a reviewer for scholarly journals.

Professor Rajesh Chandra is committed to excellence in teaching and learning, greater utilization of ICTs in development, widening access to higher education, and promoting good governance. He is a Board Director of Transparency International Fiji.

Born in Maro, Nadroga (Fiji), Professor Chandra is married and has two children.

Professor Rajesh Chandra will speak at Plenary 1: ‘Are today’s graduates employable?’

CRAWFORD, Professor Roy

Professor Roy Crawford is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, whose primary research interest has been in the mechanical properties and processing behaviour of plastics. From 1989–1999 he was Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the School of Mechanical and Process Engineering at the Queens University Belfast in Northern Ireland. He was also responsible for establishing the Polymer Processing Research Centre at Queens University. This Centre included the Research Group on rotational moulding of plastics, which he also established.

From 1999-2001 he was Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Auckland in New Zealand. From 2001-2004 he was Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at Queens University Belfast. In January 2005 he became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Professor Crawford is Chair of Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara.

He has published 8 books and over 300 papers. His particular expertise is associated with the rotational moulding of plastics. He is widely recognised as a world leader in this field and has given keynote lectures, courses and seminars on this subject all over the world.

Professor Crawford has a BSc, PhD and a DSc from Queen’s University. He is a Fellow of a number of professional organisations and in 1998 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2005 he was elected as a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Only 239 Fellows have been elected worldwide to this Society since it was established in 1946. Professor Crawford was recently inducted into the Association of Rotational Molders International Hall of Fame.

Professor Roy Crawford is speaking at the Opening Ceremony

DOELLE, Mr Sebastian

Mr Sebastian Doelle is the Vote Analyst for Tertiary Education at the New Zealand Treasury.

He provides financial and strategic policy advice to the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment on the tertiary education sector, including student support systems.

Originally from Germany, Mr Doelle holds a Masters Degree in International Studies from the University of Otago, a BA Honours in History from the University of Auckland, and a Graduate Diploma in Commerce from Lincoln University.

Mr Sebastian Doelle will speak in Session 6, the 'Value of Tertiary Education' Workshop

FLETCHER, Ms Jane

Ms Jane Fletcher has been involved in the education sector for over 10 years. Jane currently manages the Victoria Plus Award which is the service and leadership programme for Victoria University of Wellington and is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

Prior to arriving in New Zealand Jane was employed as a Career Consultant and Career Management Skills Tutor at Cardiff University, Wales.

Jane’s career also includes marketing and management roles in the sports and recruitment industries in the UK, Europe and Dubai.

Ms Jane Fletcher will speak at Session 3, the Employability Workshop | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 1.5MB)

JOYCE, Hon Steven

A former broadcasting entrepreneur, Hon Steven Joyce is Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment for the New Zealand government, as well as Minister for Economic Development, and Minister of Science and Innovation.

Following a zoology degree at Massey University, Mr Joyce started his first radio station at the age of 21, and built up The RadioWorks network of stations over 17 years until it consisted of 22 local radio stations and four national networks, with 650 staff in 20 branches. In 2001, on his 38th birthday, Mr Joyce retired as Chief Executive upon the sale of the network to CanWest. Subsequent appointments included Chief Executive of Jasons Travel Media, Chairman of Howard Wright Ltd, and consultant to New Zealand’s National Party Leader.

Since joining New Zealand’s National Party in 2002, Mr Joyce has worked as General Manager of the party, as well as managing two election campaigns. He became an MP in 2008.

Hon Steven Joyce will speak at Plenary 1: ‘Are today’s graduates employable?’

MAQUBELA, Mr Thamsanqa

Mr Thamsanqa Maqubela is the Chief Executive Officer of South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA). His dream of full employment for graduates in South Africa propelled him to take the reigns at SAGDA in November 2010, where he worked full-time for 16 months with no salary while growing the organization's revenue and reputation.

He is an internationally recognized marketer and scholar and was awarded a Platinum Award as one of South Africa's top 100 young entrepreneurs in 2011. The Mail & Guardian named Maqubela as one of the top 100 South Africans to shape the nation's education in 2005.

Mr Maqubela is a graduate of Vaal University of Technology; Charles Sturt University; and Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy & Management.

He has served higher education for 15 years as HoD International Relations (VUT 1996-2003); CEO, UNITECH (MACE 2003-2006) and Chairman, Qhubela Holdings (2006-2010).

He is currently completing a Master of Philosophy: Political Economy degree with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Mr Thamsanqa Maqubela will speak on Session 4's Employability Panel. | Download presentation (Members only; .pdf; 1.1MB) 

MEDFORD, Ms Liz

Ms Liz Medford has been involved in the careers industry for over 25 years in roles spanning recruitment, human resources management, vocational rehabilitation field and the education sector in the USA and New Zealand.

Liz currently manages the Career Development and Employment office at Victoria University of Wellington which delivers high quality career education, guidance and information to students and graduates, and fosters collaborative relationships with local, national and international employers and communities.

Liz is a founding member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand and has served on a number of career industry advisory boards.

Ms Liz Medford will speak at Session 3, the Employability Workshop. | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 1.5MB)

NEWCOMB ROWE, Ms Amy

Ms Amy Newcomb Rowe is the Program Manager for the Youth Economic Participation Initiative with the Talloires Network at Tufts University in Boston, USA. The Talloires Network is an international association of institutions committed to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education.

The Youth Economic Participation Initiative (YEPI) funded by the MasterCard Foundation, aims to address the global crisis in youth unemployment by supporting university-led models that enable upper-year university students and recent alumni to accelerate their transition to the work force and their ability to create new jobs. 

Amy received her MA in Anthropology of Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

She has worked with the US Department of State in Nicosia, Cyprus and Amman, Jordan, and with the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at the University in Cairo, Egypt

Ms Amy Newcomb Rowe will speak at Plenary 2: 'What is the value of graduates to the economy?' | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 7.1MB)

PALFREYMAN, Mr Kevin

Mr Kevin Palfreyman has been employed at the Fonterra Research & Development Centre site (formerly New Zealand Dairy Research Institute) since 1980 after completing a Technology Degree at Massey University. Kevin has been employed in a number of roles including research management and pilot plant management and is currently employed in Fonterra’s Research, Science, Technology & Development team.

In his current role Kevin is a key Fonterra contact for the New Zealand Universities, Crown Research Institutes and other New Zealand research providers for post-farm research projects and collaborations.

Kevin was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology in 2009 and is a member of the NZIFST Careers Committee.

Mr Kevin Palfreyman will speak at Plenary 4: 'Exploring the Value of Partnerships'

SCHLEICHER, Dr Andreas

Dr Andreas Schleicher is Deputy Director for Education and Skills, and Special Advisor on Education Policy to OECD’s Secretary-General. He also provides strategic oversight over OECD’s work on the development and utilisation of skills and their social and economic outcomes.  This includes the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), and the development and analysis of benchmarks on the performance of education systems (INES).

Before joining the OECD, he was Director for Analysis at the International Association for Educational Achievement (IEA).

He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the 'Theodor Heuss' prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for 'exemplary democratic engagement'.  

He studied Physics in Germany and received a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in Australia. He holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Heidelberg.

Dr Andreas Schleicher will deliver the keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony: 'Are universities fit for purpose' | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 4.8MB)

SHOEMAKER, Professor Adam

Professor Adam Shoemaker is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) at Monash University, where he oversees the quality, range and impact of the University’s educational programs. Prior to joining Monash he was Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra and Foundation Director of the ANU Research School of Humanities.

He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Toulouse II and the University of Antwerp.

A Canadian by birth, Professor Shoemaker holds an Honours BA in History from Queen’s University in Ontario. A former Commonwealth Scholar, he has a doctorate from the ANU.

His research career includes eight books and many other publications in the field of indigenous literature, history, culture and politics. He maintains a broad research interest in all areas of education and higher education policy, digital education, blended learning and the globalisation of universities. His most recent paper on the last topic ‘Is there a crisis in International Learning? The “Three Freedoms” Paradox’ appeared in the Cambridge Journal of Education in 2011.

He chairs the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and is a Director of Open Universities Australia.

Professor Adam Shoemaker will speak on Session 4's Employability Panel.

SMITH, Mr Martin

Mr Martin Smith has worked at the interface between education and the world of work for 25 years. Currently employed as Director, Graduate Career Development & Employability at the University of Wollongong, he has held national leadership roles within professional bodies such as the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (past President) and Graduate Careers Australia (Director).

Examining the contribution of Career Development Learning to Work Integrated Learning has been a recent research focus, particularly during his role of Project Leader for an Australian Learning & Teaching Council Scoping Project in 2008-2009.

He led a workplace learning program across Australia which received a Business Higher Education Round Table award for collaboration in 2003, and was awarded a Citation from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council in 2007. He has recently been appointed to the role of Vice President of the Career Industry Council of Australia.

Mr Martin Smith will speak at Plenary 4: 'Exploring the Value of Partnerships'| Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 2.6MB)

SMYTH, Mr Roger

Mr Roger Smyth has worked in tertiary education in New Zealand for 25 years. He was Academic Registrar and then Assistant Vice-Chancellor at Lincoln University between 1987 and 2002.

Since 2002, he has led the New Zealand Ministry of Education's tertiary sector performance analysis unit, which is responsible for research into and analysis of the performance of the tertiary education system.

He has written extensively on the employment outcomes of tertiary study, student financial support and the research performance of tertiary institutions.

He represents New Zealand on the governing board of the Institutional Management in Higher Education programme and was part of a team that reviewed the Icelandic tertiary education system for the OECD.

Mr Roger Smyth will speak in Session 6, the 'Value of Tertiary Education' Workshop | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 0.6MB)

STEPHENS, Ms Catherine

Ms Catherine Stephens is the Manager of Career Development and Employment Services at the University of Auckland.

Catherine has been involved in the Career Development Field for over 20 years. She has a Masters in Career Development and was the Project Leader for writing the Career Education Benchmarks for Secondary Schools. From these benchmarks the Tertiary Career Development Benchmarks and the Year 7 & 8 Career Education Benchmarks were developed.

Catherine has been the Chair of the Auckland Careers and Transitions Education Association and is currently the Chair of the Auckland Career Development Association of New Zealand.

Ms Catherine Stephens will speak in Session 3, the 'Employability Workshop' | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 1.5MB)

THOMSON, Ms Vicki

Ms Vicki Thomson is the Executive Director of the Australian Technology Network (ATN), a coalition of leading Australian universities.

Ms Thomson has extensive media, political and policy experience and was Chief of Staff to a South Australian Premier following a decade-long political media career working in print, radio and television across Australia.

As Executive Director of the ATN Ms Thomson is responsible for positioning the Network in the Australian higher education environment as a cohesive and authoritative voice. She has worked extensively to develop successful ATN linkages and joint ventures with higher education coalitions in the UK, Canada, South America, Europe, South Africa and China, delivering a significant international presence for the ATN.

She was recently named in The Australian newspaper’s Top 50 most influential people in Higher Education. She has postgraduate qualifications in business and is currently undertaking a Masters in Management at the University of South Australia.

Ms Vicki Thomson will speak at Plenary 4: ‘Should there be greater mobility between the TVET and HE sectors?’

TUSTIN, Dr Karen

Dr Karen Tustin received her PhD in Psychology from the University of Otago in 2011 and has since been working as a Research Fellow in the National Centre for Lifecourse Research at the University of Otago. She is the Project Manager for the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand (GLSNZ).

Karen’s work on the GLSNZ aims to understand the value of a New Zealand tertiary education by exploring how graduates fare in the years following university, in terms of their lifestyles, employment and career development, and their health and well-being. The first wave of data collection for this 10-year longitudinal study was completed in 2011 with subsequent waves to occur in 2013, 2016, and 2021.

The results from the GLSNZ will provide critical information to both universities and government policy makers, who are seeking robust information on the cost-effectiveness of their significant financial investment in university education and how this is contributing to the social and economic goals of individual graduates and New Zealand society as a whole.

Dr Karen Tustin will speak at Plenary 2: 'What is the value of graduates to the economy?' | Download presentation (Members only; .ppsx; 0.6MB)

WATTS, Mr Tim

Tim Watts is the co-founder and director of the successful online tertiary careers business GradConnection, and secondary school focused career resource, SchoolConnect.

Mr Watts has an extensive knowledge of both the New Zealand graduate marketplace and youth career transitioning. He was instrumental in setting up NZ’s first graduate employer forum for the accounting industry and subsequently founded the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers (NZAGE). Mr Watts is passionate about youth development, is a regular presenter on the topic and is frequently sought after for media comment. Prior to launching the businesses he was a corporate tax accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Outside of business Mr Watts is the Chairperson of the Outward Bound New Zealand Members Council and Chairperson of NZAGE. He is a Victoria University of Wellington graduate and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelors of Commerce (Accounting).

Mr Watts is also an admitted Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court and Chartered Accountant.

Mr Tim Watts will speak on Session 4's Employability Panel.

 

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