Service Improvement and Innovation in Tertiary Education Conference
Melbourne, 25 - 26 October 2018
#siitec2018
The 2018 conference aims to encompass all aspects of innovation in tertiary education and capture the collaborative efforts we hope to nurture between industry, government and education providers to create the best outcomes for the tertiary education sector. This year’s conference will examine examples of innovation throughout the tertiary education sector as well as learnings which could be applied from other sectors.
With a highly interactive format, keynote speakers from within and outside the sector will provide insights into innovative activities which can be taken up more broadly.
Join us in Melbourne to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the LH Martin Institute.
By the Sector, for the sector
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Members for 2018
With the support and backing of the Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Catholic University and Chair of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors Corporate, the steering committee members are:
- Dr Stephen Weller, Chief Operating Officer, Australian Catholic University and Past President, Association for Tertiary Education Management.
- Ms Janet Beard, Senior Honorary Fellow, LH Martin Institute, University of Melbourne
- Prof Leo Goedegebuure, Director, LH Martin Institute
- Mrs Suzanne Crew, Chief Executive Officer, University of New England Partnerships
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Past members
2017:
- Ms Lakshmi West, Director, Service Improvement Group, Australian National University. Read Lakshmi's blog article on digital disruption.
- Mr Steve Paris, Executive Director, Students, RMIT Vietnam
2015 & 2016:
- Mark Williams, Strategic Projects Director, University of South Australia (Formerly)
- Karen Hill, Director, Information Technology Services, The Australian National University (Formerly)
2015:
- Ian Callahan, Chief Operating Officer, Curtin University
General Information
- Venues
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Getting There
Myki is your pass to Melbourne's public transport network.
Head over to PTV to plan your journey: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey
From the Airport
Head to the taxi ranks located outside the terminals and provide the venue address as above.
SkyBus travels directly from Tullamarine Airport to Melbourne CBD every 10 minutes. The hjourney take about 25 minutes depending on traffic and you will arrive at Southern Cross Station. Trains, trams and buses to your accommodation, or a direct transfer through SkyBus can be accessed here.
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Accomodation
For your convenience, we have listed suitable accommodation providers close to the venue below. Please see enquiries contact details below to receive details on how to access these exclusive rates.
Best Western Plus Travel Inn Hotel
Cnr. Grattan & Drummond Sts.
Carlton Vic 3053
Ph. (03) 9347 7922
Room Type: Standard King or Queen room $155AUD/night (inculdes breakfast and WiFi)
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Things to do in Melbourne
On Campus
Sustainability or Biodiversity Tour
In the CBD
Melbourne Museum or Immigration Museum https://museumsvictoria.com.au
National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/
For other ideas visit: https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do
Regional Victoria
Penguin Parade - Phillip Island https://www.penguins.org.au/attractions/penguin-parade/
Great Ocean Road - Full Day or Half Day Tours available https://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/
Enquiries and more information
For all conference related queries, please contact:
Ms Melissa Hendicott | Program Officer
LH Martin Institute | Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education | Melbourne Graduate School of Education
T: +61 3 9035 6429 E: melissa.hendicott@unimelb.edu.au
The 2018 Conference will bring the tertiary education sector together to learn from each other by sharing ideas, successes, and lessons learned; to hear from leading professionals in other sectors facing similar issues; to enable collaborative opportunities across the sector, and to build our own skills and competencies to enable us to contribute successfully to the change agenda of our employers.
What sets this conference apart is the collegial spirit in which presenters and participants interact. It is about joint capacity building and providing a catalyst for new ideas and establishing new and consolidating existing innovative networks. It also provides participants with an opportunity to develop new or refine existing knowledge and skills to take back into their workplace.
Testimonials from 2017 participants:
"One of the best conference experiences I have had"
"[The panel] was one of the highlights of the conference. All the panellists were interesting and engaged and the topis was applicable across diverse businesses"
"Loved the takeaway tools provided [by the in-depth workshop]"
"I liked the jogger headings in the conference navigator guide relating to presenations e.g. thoughts and ideas, quotes to remember, questions to ask, actions, things to research"
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Context
The future workforce is changing. Employers are looking for new skill sets and attributes from graduates, and the nature of tertiary education must change with it. The digital revolution has seen the need for institutions to become more agile, automated and customised. Increased competition domestically and internationally, increasingly stringent and volatile regulation and accreditation requirements, the vagaries of government policy, funding arrangements, pedagogical experimentation, market forces, and more engaged communities are all having an impact on how we teach and how we do business. In this changing, on-demand world, how can we provide innovative, effective and quality on-demand education? What impact will a digitised world have on research? And what will this mean for the tertiary education sector workforce?
No matter if we work in public or private tertiary education; vocational education or higher education; if we are regional or city-based; or if we are a Vice-Chancellor/CEO, a member of senior or middle management, a member of academic or professional staff - in one way or another we are all grappling with these questions and the potential ramifications.
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Who should attend
Senior executives and managers or directors of business units, particularly those with responsibilities for business and process improvement, change management, administration, planning and service delivery. Below are examples of their position titles.
- Deputy or Pro Vice-Chancellor
- Registrar or Deputy
- Vice-Principal or Deputy
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Finance Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Project Director or Manager
- Director or Manager of Business Improvement
- Director or Manager of Change or Transformation
- Director or Manager of Administration
- Director or Manager of Planning
- Director or Manager of Services (e.g. Student Services, Research, HR, Finance and IT)
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Benefits of Attending
- Gain valuable insights from leaders and peers in the sector who have successfully carried out transformational change, big and small.
- Opportunities to discuss key issues affecting your institution and the sector as a whole.
- Bring back ideas on how to establish a service improvement initiative in your institution or extract more value from a current one.
- Learn how to think outside the square, create focus on people and culture and translate these into results for your institution.
- Enhance your institution’s chances of future success through an increase in service quality.
- Opportunities to network with peers and participate in interactive group sessions that will capture new thinking and better practices.
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Learning Outcomes
- Collaborate and share your stories of success (or failure), ideas for change and expertise with your peers to create something new
- Contribute to a post-conference publication on key issues and findings from the conference proceedings
- Develop a return to work action plan to implement your great ideas
As the true experts, we encourage participants to be the drivers of their own learning. Participants will be asked to select a Major and a Minor to study throughout the conference. Your Major will determine which in-depth workshop you will attend, while your Minor will determine which breakout sessions you attend (you can choose a different Minor for each day if you like).
You can change these preferences at any time, however please note that space in each of the sessions is limited.
Focusing on the Student User Experience (Major, Minor)
The composition of the student body is constantly diversifying. School leavers, mature-aged, international or off-campus are all distinct student groups, each with their own needs, expectations and barriers to engagement. What do we know about these groups, and what does a customized student experience look like to each? Where are the differences and what similarities can we identify? Do we as institutions have the capacity to deliver a customized experience? Learn from your peers about what initiatives other institutions have used to create a central, customized student experience; what that looks like, and how the changing nature of work has impacted both the student experience and the nature of the work for staff.
Introducing new business models (Major, Minor)
Big data, joint procurement, shared services and the digital revolution. What does it all mean and are we ready for it? Automation, lean, and agile are words we are hearing more and more often, but does the digitization of teaching and learning make tertiary education institutions smarter? This theme explores new technologies, new business models and digital disruption and what this means for the future of tertiary education.
The Future Ecosystem of Education (Minor)
Innovation precincts, thought hubs, super-schools and entrepreneurship. How does education underpin the facilities of tomorrow? How can education institutions work together outside the sector? What policy changes will come about as a result of digitization and new business models, what effect will this have on the workforce?
Learning to innovate: building organisational and personal skills in innovation (Minor)
It is a myth that innovative organisations depend on a small number of people with game-changing innovations. The reality is that innovative organisations have the systems, processes, structures in place to create a culture in which every member of staff has the capacity and opportunity to innovate. What do these organisations look like? How can we facilitate the changes necessary within our organisation or area? And importantly, what knowledge and skills do you need to be a positive contributor to your employer’s innovation agenda?
Keynotes, Panellists and Workshop Facilitators
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Chief Executive Officer, Cirrus (UK)
Keynote Speaker and International Guest
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Higher Education Director, Microsoft Australia
Keynote Speaker
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Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice-President, RMIT University
Keynote Speaker and Panellist
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Knowledge City Portfolio, City of Melbourne
Panellist
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Executive Director, Victorian TAFE Association
Panellist
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Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Curio
Workshop Facilitator
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University of Melbourne
Workshop Facilitators
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University of Melbourne
Workshop Facilitators
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Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students), Victoria University
Workshop Facilitators
Peer-led Breakout Sessions
Thursday 25th October: 1:45pm - 2:15pm
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Transforming the Student Experience
Abstract:
Sean Greig, Director of Strativity Group, will outline how universities can truly transform the student experience through combining design, enablement and mindset shift. Strativity will share methods and examples from their work with leading universities in both Australia and the US.
- Leveraging insight to design a brand aligned student experience
- Assessing and improving organisational student centricity
- Balancing experience enhancement with experience innovation
- Shifting beliefs and mindsets to enable real change
Presenter:
Sean Greig, Director Strativity Group
Sean is a strategy, innovation and customer experience professional with over 25 years in business consulting and change management. He brings an understanding of the higher education market, student lifecycle and the need for Australian universities to attract, retain and advance student relationships like never before.
Having spent most of his career in the fast paced and rapidly changing Information Technology and Consulting sectors he intimately understands the impact of commoditisation, the need for continuous innovation, and striking the right balance between digital and people based investments to deliver meaningful change.
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They said it couldn’t be done! Uniting the Library and Student Administration
Abstract:
Swinburne has successfully combined its Library and studentHQ areas into a united service across all campuses, located in our libraries.
The new model, isn’t a co-location, but a new combined service enabling us to provide students with not only a single service point for all library and student administration needs, but offer extend support for both services matching our currently staffed library hours, offering student administration support an additional 64 hours a week at no extra cost. We are now available 7 days a week and until midnight on weekdays.
This has been achieved by reskilling our existing library and studentHQ staff in a new united, innovative model. Combining these highly important, previously separate areas, into one has enabled Swinburne to be truly student centric.
Presenters:
Michelle Gillespie, Director Student Administration and Library Services, Swinburne University of Technology
Tony Davies, Deputy Director Library Services, Swinburne University of Technology
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Building a Cohesive Course Quality System: A Case Study
Abstract:
Supporting innovation through an institutional course quality management system (CQM) requires a shift in focus, from management to improvement through innovation (Ewell, 2002). This study presents how this shift is developing through an approach to quality enhancement across a full course lifecycle. From 2019, La Trobe University will be adopting a new course quality system that attempts to harness an array of sound learning and teaching practices developed over time to enhance courses where additional improvement is still needed. The cornerstone of the system is an annual monitoring process (ACM), a reflective, action‐based approach that can power constructive conversations about improvements for students reflected in activity linked to standards. In this presentation, we preview the tools designed for this process, and consider how a shift to this system may contribute to the creation of an innovative, learning organisation.
Presenters:
Amanda Carr, Associate Director, Academic Quality, Quality and Standards Office, La Trobe University
Noha Khalef, Senior Coordinator, Academic Quality, Quality and Standards, La Trobe University
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Developing a choice architecture to maximise conversions from application to offer to enrolment
Abstract:
This breakout session explores emergent changes in the behaviour of prospective students during the conversion phase (application to enrolment) within the university sector in Australia and the applicability of a behavioural science approach (nudges) to addressing these changes. The supposition of 'nudging' is that small and apparently insignificant details can have a major impact on people’s choice behaviours and that understanding how to harness or ameliorate these details can transform the actions of individuals. It is used throughout the session to gain an understanding of the environment in which prospective students are choosing to convert their offer of a place into an enrolment, and to ultimately develop a framework to guide tertiary education management practice in the design of a positive conversion choice architecture.
An actionable framework or 'Choice Architecture Model’ based on known cognitive biases in decision‐making will be presented. It provides a theoretical base on which any tertiary education provider could build individualised conversion strategies that respond to the specifics of their particular student catchment and demographic.
The presenter will discuss how a variant of this model is being rolled out in one tertiary education provider and the initial positive impacts.
Presenter:
Suzanne Crew, CEO, UNE Partnerships
Thursday 25th October: 2:20pm - 2:50pm
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Student Success: Engage-Succeed-Progress-Complete
Abstract:
Whilst student retention and success in higher education is well researched, the principal aim of this project was to determine whether we could identify any additional factors particular to UNE students, UNE’s academic delivery or UNE’s policy, process and systems that may be impacting on students. The secondary aim was to identify and develop a framework, methodology, and internal capacity for analysing multiple unstructured datasets to inform the quality improvement cycle.
Existing unstructured data collected by UNE was analysed at three levels to reflect the:
- contextual environment (Macro Level);
- course environment (Meso Level); and
- unit environment (Micro Level).
Insights were identified at each level that, although not all unique to UNE, appear to impact on success, retention and overall satisfaction.
A number of new reports which have become a part of standard reporting as well as a number of ad hoc reports based on specific issues were developed.
Presenter:
Peta Ryan, Data Analyst, Corporate Planning and Analytics, The University of New England
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Transforming Research Support at La Trobe University
Abstract:
La Trobe University’s research performance has dramatically increased since 2013, fulfilling a strategic reorientation. To support the increase in the quantity and quality of research, the University has transformed its Research Office within budget envelope. Through a series of restructures, the introduction of a customer-focussed operating model, cultural change, capability development, and effective partnering across academic disciplines and functional services, the service has moved from one of the lowest rated services in the University to one of the highest and is benchmarked at top-quartile performance at 70% of expected cost. The transformation is continuing, with a new activity-based work organisation supported by agile workspaces, and a university-wide project to develop a relationship-oriented approach to managing the research life-cycle. This presentation will discuss the approach to the transformation, the critical success factors of the change, ongoing challenges, and the mechanisms the University is employing to identify, share and implement best practices.
Presenters:
Alistair Duncan, Deputy Director, Rankings and Performance, Research Office, La Trobe University
Dr MaryAnne Aitken, Executive Director, Research Office, La Trobe University
Maria Montesano, Acting Manager, Planning, Review and Improvement, Planning and Institutional Performance Unit, La Trobe University
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Raising the Bar – closing the gap from admission to offer for the Melbourne Law School
Abstract:
Join us in exploring the journey undertaken to close the gap from admission to offer in the Melbourne Law School. We will showcase the innovative ways of using Lean Six Sigma and Robotic Process Automation to improve, automate processes, service delivery and embed a continuous improvement operating rhythm including capability uplift within the Faculty.
Presenters:
Mr Matty Kapadia, Continuous Improvement Specialist, University of Melbourne
Shiv Chandra, RPA Lead Developer, University of Melbourne
Friday 26th October: 10am - 10:30am
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Involving students as change champions to innovate and improve customer experience
Abstract:
Service improvement at the Australian National University involves using new and bolder techniques to engage students and staff in a customer led design process. Through various methodologies such as Rapid Improvement Events, customer journey mapping, co-design blue sky thinking, and digital transformation we are working to transform the experience for our customers. Our unique model— embedding student interns across all projects—creates champions of change in our service improvement program. These interns bring the digital native perspective and real-world experience into our analysis, design, innovation and creation processes, consequently adding a future flavour to all new ideas and products to solve student, user, and customer issues. Our methodologies paired with the deep involvement of students in our processes not only innovate, but help build organisational skills in innovation itself.
Presenters:
Lakshmi West, Director - Service Improvement Group, Australian National University
Jessica Thompson, Business Analyst – Intelledox Digital Transformation Centre, Service
Improvement Group, Australian National University -
Threats and opportunities: exploring and contrasting the views of leaders from across Australian higher education
Abstract:
Despite wide agreement that universities face a growing threat to established business models and will need to innovate, there is less consensus on causes, trajectories and severity. Success in embracing new models, technologies and approaches will be different for universities of varying mission. Examining the perspectives of university leadership from across Australian higher education, helps all universities better understand avenues for effective innovation.
This paper examines data from 117 interviews with Australian university, academic and government leaders. During these interviews sector leaders were asked to assess the major challenges for universities both in the immediate future and over a longer horizon, as well as the reflect on the opportunities. To explore threats and possibilities in embracing new models, and compare differences between university and government leaders, this paper presents data from a survey completed by each participant alongside their interview.Presenter:
Dr Gwilym Croucher, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education, University of Melbourne
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Medical Training in Regional Victoria: a collaboration between the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University
Abstract:
The University of Melbourne and La Trobe University, with support from the Commonwealth Government, are working together to increase the medical workforce in regional Australia. On completing the La Trobe Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) course eligible regional students will enter The University of Melbourne Doctor of Medicine course at Shepparton. Locating the both the undergraduate program and the MD course in regional Victoria will increase the likelihood that the medical graduates will practice in regional Australia. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) course will be offered at the Bendigo or Albury / Wodonga campuses of La Trobe University, commencing in 2019. The La Trobe course) has been designed to prepare the students to meet the admission criteria for the University of Melbourne MD. Because the selection into the La Trobe undergraduate course is effectively selection into the University of Melbourne MD, subject to ncontinued high performance, the two universities have worked closely together to establish the admission criteria and the selection process for the La Trobe Bachelor of Biomedical Science
(Medical).Presenter:
Anthony T. Baker, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University and the LH Martin
Institute, University of Melbourne.
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Become a sponsor
Want to reach new clients, promote your brand or launch a new product? Speak to us about sponsorship opportunities.
More info -
Set your challenges
We encourage participants to be the drivers of their own learning. Set your challenges to get the most out of attending this years' conference.
More info
Ticket Types and Fees
Early Bird: $1485 (incl GST). *Sold Out*
Full conference: $1815 (incl GST). Includes full conference attendance and dinner.
Conference Only: $1650 (incl GST). Does not include dinner.
Fee includes meals during the conference sessions. It does not include travel and accommodation. Please see the General Information Section on the home page for more details on travel and accommodation.
Group discount of 10% applies for five or more people when you register together.
Register and pay
Online Registration is now closed. If you wish to equire about a late registration, please contact:
Ms Melissa Hendicott | Program Officer
T: +61 3 9035 6429 E: melissa.hendicott@unimelb.edu.au
Presentation slides from Keynote Speakers and Breakout presenters have been made available for download.













