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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

09:15 - 09:30

Conference opening

09:30 - 10:30

Keynote 

10:30 - 11:00

Morning tea

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
Steven Lewis, Australian Catholic University
Kate Lee, Union Aid Abroad
Ritesh Shah, University of Auckland
Prachi Srivastava, University of Adelaide
Robin Shields, University of Queensland
Ivan Matovich, Monash University
Arushi Terway, NORRAG

Session type: symposium

Foundational learning

Data-driven reforms in foundational learning in the Asia-Pacific

Anna Gibert, Australian High Commission Vanuatu
Paul Ainui, National Department of Education PNG
Dick Hopkins, Ministry of Education Vanuatu
Rene Panti, Innovations for Poverty Action
Devi Ram, Kathmandu University
Rajib Timalsina, ASER Nepal

Session type: formal paper

Equitable and inclusive learning

Gender(ed) Gaps: Understanding Gender Inequalities in SE Asian Education Landscapes

John Siena, SEAMEO 
Linda Jonsson, UNICEF EAPRO
Chrisant Raisha, Future4Girls
Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMEO
Alejandro Ibanez, SEAMEO

Session type: symposium

12:30 - 13:30

Lunch

13:30 - 15:00

Concurrent sessions 

Systems transformation

Monitoring for change in education systems transformation

Muriel Poisson, UNESCO IIEP
Kathryn Lee, Abt Associates
Tashi Zangpo, Ministry of Education Bhutan

Session type: formal paper

Foundational learning

School readiness and foundational learning: Insights from Asia and the Pacific

Sally Brinkman, UniSA
Sandra Knowles, ACER
Krishneel Reddy, EQAP

Session type: symposium

Equitable and inclusive learning

Weaving Lao cultural and Australian indigenous kinship perspectives to understand student belonging and engagement in school

Beykham Saleumsouk, BEQUAL
Vimala Dejvongs, Tetra Tech
Lisa Erlandson, Tetra Tech 

Session type: workshop

15:00 - 15:30

Afternoon tea

15:30 - 16:30

Panel session: systems transformation
Using data to drive education


Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMEO
Dr Michelle Belisle, EQAP
Senator Andrew Tabelual, Palau
ASEAN ministry representative
Chair: UNESCO GEM Report

16:30 - 16:45

Day 1 closing remarks

16:45 - 17:45

Special screening of Pristine Seas

17:30 - 19:00

Welcome function

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.

Register now for the Deved Conference

09:00 - 10:00

Keynote 
Chris Hines, National Geographic

10:00 - 10:30

Morning tea

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, NORRAG
Dr Ethel Valenzuela

Session type: symposium

Equitable and inclusive learning

Local innovations and policy transformation for inclusive education

Rasita Purba, INOVASI Program
Aye Aye Tun, British Council Myanmar
Thi Tam Ton, ChildFund

Session type: formal paper

Foundational learning

Reimagining teaching: Innovations in pedagogy and professional development

Kinley Kinley, 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
Ueneti Bakineti, Ministry of Education Kiribati
Shaun Powers, World Bank
Michael Noa, EQAP

Session type: formal paper

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

13:00 - 14:30

Concurrent sessions 

Systems transformation

Reimagining and recreating and reenforcing higher education partnerships in PNG

Artila Devi, Australia Awards PNG
Laura Marsen, Australian High Commission PNG
Catherine Johnston, Abt Global
Lonnie Baki, PNG Dept Higher Ed
Sarah Treadgold, Tetra Tech

Session type: symposium

Equitable and inclusive education

Tackling educational barriers: Advancing equity across the Asia-Pacific

Seema Prasad, EQAP
Khanthanouphone Mixaykhone, BEQUAL
Kelsey Anne Carlton, VVOB
Emiljohn Sentillas, SEAMEO

Session type: formal paper

Equitable and inclusive learning

Evidence-based Design: A Creative Lab for Inclusive EdTech in Southeast Asia

Haani Mazari, EdTech Hub 
Kate Radford, EdTech Hub
Jazzlyne Gunawan, EdTech Hub

Session type: workshop

14:30 - 15:00

Afternoon tea

15:00 - 16:00

Panel session: foundational learning


Anna Alejo, UNICEF
Michelle Kaffenberger, WWHGE
Ministry representative
Chair: World Bank

16:00 - 16:15

Day 2 closing remarks

17:30 - 20:30

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.

Register now for the Deved Conference

09:00 - 10:00

Keynote

10:00 - 10:30

Morning tea

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 Toa, Women Leading and Influencing
Krystelle Lavaki, Asia Foundation Pacific

Session type: symposium

Foundational learning

Innovative approaches to foundational learning and assessment

Louise Courtney/Megan Yucel, ACER 
Carl Beel, VVOB Cambodia
Alejandro Ibanez, SEAMEO 
Chinna Ung, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport Cambodia

Session type: formal paper

Systems transformation 

Top tips and tools for aligning national assessments to global goals

Colin Watson, ACER UK
Ursula Schwantner, ACER
Kemran Mestan, ACER

Session type: workshop

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

13:00 - 14:00

Panel session: equity and inclusive education 

Chris Henderson, NORRAG
Leila Smith, Aurora Foundation 
Beth Sprunt, University of Melbourne
Chair: DFAT

14:00 - 14:30

Afternoon tea

14:30 - 15:30

Panel session: investing in education 

Cristian Aedo, World Bank
Will Brehm, University of Canberra
Jean Claude Ndabananiye, IIEP
Laura Savage, IEFG
Chair: FCDO 

15:30 - 15:45

Conference summary and closing remarks

Register now for the Deved Conference