Community Colleges Australia (CCA) has offered a “sneak peek” at what’s in store for its November conference in Brisbane. CCA has released the names and details of 16 speakers and 11 conference exhibitors.
“Every CCA conference is the place to go for Australia’s adult and community education providers – and for those who support their work. This year’s conference will be no exception, with a diverse range of speakers already confirmed,” said Dr Don Perlgut, CEO of CCA.
Confirmed speakers include:
Professor John Quiggan, one of the world’s leading economists, and a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland. Professor Quiggin has produced more than 2000 publications, including seven books and more than 250 refereed journal articles, in fields including decision theory, environmental economics and industrial organisations. His new book, Economics in Two Lessons: Why Markets Work and Why they can Fail so Badly, was released in April 2019 by Princeton University Press.
Professor Rod McDonald, who brings more than 30 years researching and advising the VET sector, including a role as Special Advisor to the Australian National Training Authority, and a distinguished academic career as Australia’s first Professor of Adult Education at University of Technology, Sydney. He will be speaking on “A VET system made in heaven”.
Dr Wendy Sarkissian, an internationally acclaimed community engagement consultant from Vancouver, Canada, with many years working with disadvantaged communities throughout Australia. Dr Sarkissian has taught at the Universities of Sydney, New England and South Australia, and has been a visiting professor at Harvard University, Cornell University and University of British Columbia. She is a former member of the Board of the South Australian Housing Trust and a former President of the Nimbin (NSW) Chamber of Commerce. Dr Sarkissian has had the “Engage 2 Act Wendy Sarkissian Award for Courage in Community Engagement” named after her.
Dr Ruth Knight, from QUT’s Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, who brings special interests in nonprofit innovation, measuring social outcomes, and developing high performing leaders and teams. Ruth is on a mission to advance quality research and practice in the sector to enable organisations create effective strategies to improve their impact.
Troy Williams, Chief Executive of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA – formerly ACPET), the peak body representing independent providers in the higher education, vocational education and training sector. Troy serves on the General Council of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
The conference will host a special panel discussion with three adult and community education CEOs who have received Australian Honours in the last two years: Garry Traynor OAM (Sydney Community College), Rodney Wangman OAM (Albury Wodonga Community College) and Patricia Carroll OAM (St George & Sutherland Community College).
Other community education CEOs who will speak include Danielle Bensley (The Parramatta College), Theresa Collignon (Macquarie Community College) and Gerry Lister (Youth Development Foundation, Brisbane).
Conference Exhibition and Sponsors
CCA has confirmed a richly varied group of 11 conference exhibitors and sponsors, who engage with conference participants during the coffee and meal breaks. Confirmed to date are:
- Platinum co-sponsors Coverforce Insurance and Ansvar Insurance
- Digital Content & Media sponsor PN Digital
- Welcome Drinks and Gold sponsor Rio Education
- Gold sponsor The Learning Resources Group
- Silver sponsors Training Resource Solutions, TotalVET Training Resources, the Copyright Agency and Rural Skills Australia
- Bronze sponsors VDC – the VET Development Centre
- Print sponsor The Print Group
A small number of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are still available.
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