Photo caption: Professor Catherine Moran and Brett Berquist announce the University of Canterbury as the host of THE Campus Live ANZ 2025.
This week UC experts have been involved in Australasian discussions on how to transform universities to serve the modern learner as 300+ university leaders from New Zealand and Australia came together at the University of Newcastle in Australia for Times Higher Education - THE Campus Live ANZ.
The 2024 event centred on how universities can and should transform to serve the modern student. Four Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)’s senior leaders shared their expertise in a range of panel discussions and workshops.
UC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Catherine Moran spoke about how universities can meet the shifting expectations of today’s students. In conversation led by THE’s Asia-Pacific President Simone Dilena, the panel, including Torrens University President Linda Brown and University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Alex Zelinsky, emphasised the need for universities to adapt to the diverse expectations of today’s students by personalising education through technology and collaborative approaches. They highlighted the importance of equity, and the value of connecting students with engaged alumni for mentorship opportunities. The panel also called for innovative assessment methods that leverage AI to enhance learning experiences and prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.
“If we focus on moving the student from where they are now to take them to the next level on their learning, not counting quality by input but by outcome, we challenge ourselves, challenge our thinking and our systems,” said Professor Moran. “Ultimately, universities are capable of generational change.”
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Brett Berquist joined a panel, alongside Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy and Cate Gilpin from Welcoming Australia, to discuss aligning global strategy with evolving migration policies. The panellists discussed the need to shift the narrative from a transactional view of international students to one that is welcoming and inclusive. Rather than simply monetising international students, we need to recognise and share the invaluable contributions they make to our communities.
“Net migration last year to New Zealand was proportionally higher than in Australia but our core cultural value of manaakitanga, which emphasises hospitality and generosity, remains strong,” said Berquist. “Right now, three out of four Kiwi believe international students are very important for New Zealand.”
UC’s Director of Global Engagement Dr Graham Wise delivered a workshop, Intercultural orientation and transition strategies for international students, on how UC is harnessing the personal and cultural strengths of international students for their new learning environment.
Future Learning and Development Director Professor Mick Grimley also spoke on a panel discussing the future of lifelong learning and how the stackable, flexible nature of it can widen participation.
At the summit’s closing, it was announced that the University of Canterbury will host the next THE Campus Live ANZ from 2-3 September 2025.
Themed, Local roots to global reach: Shaping ANZ universities’ future, the 2025 event will focus on equitable teaching learning and student support, community impact and engagement and international strategy, including an in depth look at generative AI, inclusive learning environments and co-designing curriculum with industry.
During the event’s closing remarks, Professor Moran and Berquist emphasised the learnings from the Newcastle event and shared what can be expected in Christchurch next year.
“We’ve learned so much and we really appreciate the thoughtful conversations, the discussion around the challenges we face, but also the opportunities our sector, working collectively, can create,” Professor Moran said. “In 2025, I look forward to sharing UC’s student success programme with you all. We have seen the impact of everyone at the university working together to make student success their focus, and we look forward to meeting you and hosting you on our campus to discuss this, and many other topics.”
Describing the relationship between New Zealand and Australia, Berquist commented on the commonalities between the two countries.
“We like to think of ourselves as cousins across the ditch. We have plenty in common and we have lots to share, in particular the bold steps we have taken to embody our partnership with local iwi. It will be interesting to share our knowledge in terms of where our conversations landed currently, and where we get to a year from now. We’re looking forward to hosting you. See you in Christchurch!”
Register your interest for THE Campus Live ANZ 2025 by clicking here.
