Program
We are excited to announce the launch of the DevEd 2025 program.
The program is provisional and subject to change without notice at the discretion of the Organising Committee. Times are in local Melbourne time.
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome to country
Room: Conversation Quarter
09:15 - 09:30
Conference opening
Lisa Rodgers, CEO, Australian Council for Educational Research
Room: Conversation Quarter
09:30 - 10:30
Keynote
The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, Australian Minister for International Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and Minister for Small Business
Room: Conversation Quarter
10:30 - 11:00
Morning tea
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
11:00 - 12:30
Concurrent sessions
Systems transformation
Shifting donor priorities and the changing landscape of international financing and partnerships in education: impacts in Asia-Pacific
Will Brehm, University of Canberra
Ritesh Shah, University of Auckland
Prachi Srivastava, University of Adelaide
Ivan Matovich, Monash University
Arushi Terway, Independent consultant
Session type: symposium
Room: Conversation Quarter
Foundational learning
Data-driven reforms in foundational learning in the Asia-Pacific
Anna Gibert, Independent Consultant
Sabati Mero, National Department of Education PNG
Nanise Lapi, Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training
Rene Panti, Innovations for Poverty Action
Iwan Jazadi, STKIP Paracendeka NW Sumbaw
Chair: Michael Currie, DFAT
Session type: formal paper
Room: Theatrette
Equitable and inclusive learning
Gender(ed) Gaps: Understanding Gender Inequalities in SE Asian Education Landscapes
John Arnold Siena, SEAMEO
Linda Jonsson, UNICEF EAPRO
Chrisant Raisha, Future4Girls
Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMEO
Alejandro Ibanez, SEAMEO
Session type: symposium
Room: Seminar Room 1
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
13:30 - 15:00
Concurrent sessions
Systems transformation
Measuring and strengthening teachers' pedagogical practices and content knowledge in the Pacific
Shawn Powers, World Bank
Charmaine Kwan, World Bank
Danielle Perfect, World Bank, University of South Australia
Cassandra Walton, World Bank
Visesio Pongi, World Bank
Session type: symposium
Room: Conversation Quarter
Systems transformation
Monitoring for change in education systems transformation
Kathryn Lee, Abt Global
Alejandro Sinon Ibanez, SEAMEO
Linda Jonsson, UNICEF EAPRO
Ung Chinna, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Cambodia
Victor Lim Fei, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Debbie Wong, ACER
Elizabeth Cassity, ACER
Jacqueline Cheng, ACER
Jevelin Wendiady, ACER
Chair: Isla Gilmore, UK Mission to ASEAN
Session type: formal paper
Room: Theatrette
Equitable and inclusive learning
Weaving Lao cultural and Australian indigenous kinship perspectives to understand student belonging and engagement in school
Beykham Saleumsouk, BEQUAL
Sounisa Sundara, Australian Embassy to Lao PDR
Session type: workshop
Room: Seminar Room 1
15:00 - 15:30
Afternoon tea
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
15:30 - 16:30
Panel session: systems transformation
Education financing - a new era
Laura Savage, International Education Funders Group (IEFG)
Prof Will Brehm, University of Canberra
Dr Lars Sondergaard, World Bank
Mat Tinkler, Save the Children Australia
Discussant: Ian Attfield, FCDO
Room: Conversation Quarter
16:30 - 16:45
Day 1 reflections
Room: Conversation Quarter
17:00 - 18:30
Special screening of Ocean with David Attenborough
This documentary shines a light on both the beauty of the sea and the ways in which humans are depleting its riches. It helps viewers reflect deeply on the ocean’s significance, the threats it faces, and the solutions that can ensure its protection. While our planet’s future can sometimes feel bleak, efforts to conserve it offer glimmers of hope. Education can be part of the solution that inspires young people.
Room: Theatrette
18:30 - 20:30
Welcome reception
Celebrating the start of the conference, this intimate event brings attendees together in the iconic Reading Room, a historic and atmospheric Melbourne landmark reserved exclusively for this special occasion.
Room: La Trobe Reading Room
09:00 - 10:00
Keynote
Chris Hines, National Geographic
Exploring the Blue Pacific: ocean science and literacy
Room: Conversation Quarter
10:00 - 10:30
Morning tea
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
10:30 - 12:00
Concurrent sessions
Equitable and inclusive learning
The role of knowledge, innovation and exchange in building equitable and inclusive education systems
Aditi Desai, KIX EMAP Hub
Nisa Felicia, Pusat Studi Pendidikan dan Kebijakan, Indonesia
Sangay Jamtsho, IDRC
Mohammad Ali Zinnah, Dhaka University
Arushi Terway, Independent consultant
David Coleman, Learning Linkages
Session type: symposium
Room: Conversation Quarter
Foundational learning
Innovative approaches to foundational learning and assessment
Carl Beel, VVOB Cambodia
Sally Brinkman, UniSA
Sandra Knowles, ACER
Rajib Timalsina, ASER Nepal
Chair: Dr Adeola Monty, ACER
Session type: formal paper
Room: Theatrette
Equitable and inclusive learning
Evidence-based Design: A Creative Lab for Inclusive EdTech in Southeast Asia
Haani Mazari, EdTech Hub
Jazzlyne Gunawan, EdTech Hub
John Arnold Siena, SEAMEO
Session type: workshop
Room: Seminar Room 1
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
13:00 - 14:30
Concurrent sessions
Systems transformation
Reimagining and recreating and reenforcing higher education partnerships in PNG
Artila Devi, Australia Awards PNG
Laura Marson, Australian High Commission PNG
Gideon Kaevakore, Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology
Dr Lien T Pham, Australia Awards PNG
Session type: symposium
Room: Conversation Quarter
Equitable and inclusive education
Tackling educational barriers: Advancing equity across the Asia-Pacific
Seema Prasad, Pacific Community
Tim Friedman, ACER
Khanthanouphone Mixaykhone, BEQUAL
Phetmany Sylatmena,Tetra Tech International Development (BEQUAL Program)
Kelsey Anne Carlton, VVOB
Chair: Ian Attfield, FCDO
Session type: formal paper
Room: Theatrette
Foundational learning
Reimagining teaching: Innovations in pedagogy and professional development
Louise Courtney, ACER
Megan Yucel, ACER
Kinley, Samtse College of Education Bhutan
Karma Utha, Samtse College of Education Bhutan
Susanne Owen, EduKAit Program
Kuarawete Tatua, Ministry of Education Kiribati,
Tatoa Tataua, Ministry of Education Kiribati
Taonateiti Kabiri, Ministry of Education Kiribati
Bwebwe Moiwa, Ministry of Education Kiribati
Chair: Anthony Bailey, DFAT
Session type: formal paper
Room: Seminar Room 1
14:30 - 15:00
Afternoon tea
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
15:00 - 15:30
Concurrent sessions
Equitable and inclusive education
Little J and Big Cuz
Lisa Norris, ACER
Session type: spotlight
Room: Conversation Quarter
Foundational learning
Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT): an accountability tool for advancing foundational learning in the Asia-Pacific
Linda Jonsson, UNICEF
Chair: Tim Friedman, ACER
Session type: spotlight
Room: Theatrette
Equitable and inclusive education
Pacific Digital Storytelling
Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson, Pacific Kids' Learning
Session type: spotlight
Room: Seminar Room 1
15:30 - 16:30
Panel session: systems transformation
Using data to drive education system reform
Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMEO
Senator Andrew Tabelual, Ministry of Education, Palau
Dr Michelle Belisle, EQAP
Muriel Poisson, IIEP
Discussant: Dr Manos Antoninis, UNESCO GEM Report
Room: Conversation Quarter
16:30 - 16:45
Day 2 reflections
Room: Conversation Quarter
18:30 - 21:30
Networking dinner
Hosted in the stunning Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, this event provides an opportunity to engage with fellow professionals and build new connections.
Room: Ian Potter Queens Hall
09:00 - 10:00
Keynote
Myo-Zin Nyunt, Deputy Regional Director, UNICEF East Asia, and the Pacific Regional Office
Room: Conversation Quarter
10:00 - 10:30
Morning tea
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
10:30 - 12:00
Concurrent sessions
Equitable and inclusive learning
Improving community welfare through indigenous and minority language education: A study in Itaukei, Fiji and Lewo and Ambae Vanuatu
Connie Batiwale, Women Leading and Influencing
Leisale Roberts, Women Leading and Influencing
Lien Wilson, Women Leading and Influencing
Krystelle Lavaki, The Asia Foundation Pacific Islands
Session type: symposium
Room: Conversation Quarter
Equitable and inclusive learning
Local innovations and policy transformation for inclusive education
Rasita Purba, INOVASI Program
Aye Aye Tun, British Council Myanmar
John Arnold Siena, SEAMEO Secretariat
Haani Mazari, EdTech Hub
Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMEO
Michael Noa, EQAP
Chair: Belynda McNaughton, DFAT
Session type: formal paper
Room: Theatrette
Systems transformation
Top tips and tools for aligning national assessments to global goals
Colin Watson, ACER UK
Ursula Schwantner, ACER
Kemran Mestan, ACER
Shailendra Sigdel, UNESCO Institute of Statistics
Session type: workshop
Room: Seminar Room 1
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
13:00 - 14:00
Panel session: equity and inclusive education
From exclusion to inclusion: building resilient education systems
Dr Kraiyos Patrawart, Equitable Education Fund Thailand
Beth Sprunt, University of Melbourne
Adriel Appathurai, Victorian Youth Division Committee
Dr Tatang Muttaqin, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (MoECRT)
Discussant: Dr Chris Henderson, NORRAG
Room: Conversation Quarter
14:00 - 14:30
Afternoon tea
Room: Isabella Fraser Room
14:30 - 15:30
Panel session: foundational learning
Building the foundations - what works
Dr Benjamin Piper, GEEAP
Dr Michelle Kaffenberger, WWHGE
Ms Leila Smith, Aurora Foundation
Mitsue Uemura, UNICEF EARPO
Discussant: Prof Cristian Aedo, World Bank
Room: Conversation Quarter
15:30 - 15:45
Conference summary and closing remarks
Room: Conversation Quarter