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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
Sabati Mero,
 National Department of Education PNG
Dick Hopkins
, Ministry of Education Vanuatu
Rene Panti
, Innovations for Poverty Action
Iwan Jazadi
, STKIP Paracendeka NW Sumbawa
Sri Rezki Widuri
, INOVASI - Palladium

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

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

Systems transformation

Monitoring for change in education systems transformation

Kathryn Lee, Abt Associates
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

Session type: formal paper

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

15:00 - 15:30

Afternoon tea

15:30 - 16:30

Panel session: systems transformation

Education financing - a new era

Raman Sidhu,
Octava Foundation
Prof Will Brehm, University of Canberra

Prof Cristian Aedo, World Bank
Mat Tinkler, Save the Children Australia

Discussant: Ian Atfield, FCDO


16:30 - 16:45

Day 1 reflections

17:00 - 18:00

Special screening of Pristine Seas

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.

Register now for the Deved Conference

09:00 - 10:00

Keynote 
Chris Hines, National Geographic

Exploring the Blue Pacific: ocean science and literacy

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

Foundational learning

Innovative approaches to foundational learning and assessment

Louise Courtney, ACER
Megan Yucel, ACER 
Carl Beel
, VVOB Cambodia
Sally Brinkman, UniSA
Sandra Knowles
, ACER
Devi Ram
, Kathmandu University
Rajib Timalsina
, ASER Nepal

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

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
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
Tim Friedman
, ACER
Khanthanouphone Mixaykhone
, BEQUAL 
Phetmany Sylathmena, Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR
Kelsey Anne Carlton
, VVOB

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
Bwebwe Moiwa
, Ministry of Education Kiribati
Tashi Zangpo
, Ministry of Education Bhutan

Session type: formal paper

14:30 - 15:00

Afternoon tea

15:00 - 16:00

Panel session: systems transformation
Using data to drive education system reform

Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim, SEAMEO
Dr Michelle Belisle
, EQAP
Muriel Poisson, IIEP
Ministerial presenter

Discussant: Dr Manos Antoninis, UNESCO GEM Report

16:00 - 16:15

Day 2 closing remarks

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.

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

Equitable and inclusive learning

Local innovations and policy transformation for inclusive education

Rasita Purba, INOVASI Program
Aye Aye Tun
, British Council Myanmar
Emiljohn Sentillas
, SEAMEO
Haani Mazari
, EdTech Hub
Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim
, SEAMEO
Michael Noa, EQAP

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
Shailendra Sigdel, UNESCO Institute of Statistics

Session type: workshop

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

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
Dr Chris Henderson, NORRAG
Ministerial presenter
 
Discussant: Youth representative

14:00 - 14:30

Afternoon tea

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
Ministry representative

Discussant: Dr Lars Sondergaard, World Bank



15:30 - 15:45

Conference summary and closing remarks

Register now for the Deved Conference