The PIE Live Asia Pacific conference has become one of the highlights of the annual events calendar and often creates a sense of FOMO because of the beautiful location on Australia’s Gold Coast.
This is the first major gathering for the sector since the Albanese government was re-elected, so there is plenty to unpack.
The agenda has been announced and we have highlighted 10 reasons that make this conference unmissable:
1. Meet the ministers – government departments gather on the Gold Coast
We are delighted that representatives from Austrade, the Department of Education (DfE), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, and the National Student Ombudsman will all be in attendance at this year’s conference for closed meetings with education stakeholders on Monday July 28.
Felix Pirie (ITECA), Luke Sheehy (UA), Phil Honeywood (IEAA), Simone Fuller (DfE) are just a few of the confirmed speakers relaying the dialogue with government to the wider sector, including ongoing discussion with MPs Jason Clare and Julian Hill. Stay up to speed with the latest happenings, as parliament sits for the first time since the summer recess.
Check out: Tuesday, July 29 – ‘Policy update – the next steps for Australia; Monday, July 28 – Australian Government Future Focus Dialogue: Australian international education and skills (invite-only)’
2. PIE High puts schools centre-stage
On Day 2 of this year’s conference, we have opened-up a FREE track of sessions bringing together colleagues from the secondary schools sector from across the region, helping them to connect with international recruitment agents and market experts while sharing key insights. By making this accessible to school colleagues, we aim to bridge the gap to higher education, and broaden wider discussions on wellbeing, AI and visa policy.
Attendees include Alice Springs Smith School (Malaysia), Shafston College (Australia), Sekolah Bogor Raya (Indonesia), John Paul College (Australia), SACE International (Australia), Langports (Australia), Inforum Education (Australia), Education Queensland International (Australia) AIIU (Australia) – will you be there?
Register your interest for the free PIE High track here.
3. Rage against the machine
By now, you’re either an AI evangelist or you think it’s the stuff of nightmares. We will be testing the mood of the sector live, with a stage debate asking if AI will enhance or damage higher education. Will the snake eat itself or will we reach a higher plane of productivity? Our audience will decide.
Our debaters include tech-entrepreneurs, marketing directors, university presidents and national AI-council directors. Each will make the case for or against, in a session that promises to polarise opinion!
Check out: Tuesday, July 29 – ‘Live debate: rage against the machine – will AI enhance or damage higher education?’
4. PIEx will silently inspire you
Our ‘Power Up’ silent seminars have landed down under as we bring you inspirational talks in a brand new format. Located at the heart of our expo, The PIEx stage features personal headphones for the audience to wear to listen to speakers.
Think TEDx meets Silent Disco, as we curate a range of elevator pitches, demos and talks on a wide range of topics including edtech, sustainability, student entrepreneurship, widening participation and wellbeing. Even the seasoned conference-goer will find something new here. Intimate and authentic
Check out: The PIEx stage including Ailsa Lamont, Rob Lawrence, Mikhail Eremeev and Southern Cross University.
5. Data superstars present one killer statistic each – prepare to have your mind blown
Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion. Get ready to supercharge your strategies with the very best data, statistics and facts you can find. This is a roll-call of true data superstars aiming to change your perspective through killer insights.
Claire Field, Steve Nerlich, Keri Ramirez, Patrick Brothers, Jon Chew, Lyndell Jacka, Carlie Sage – all back-to-back in a quick fire assault on your senses. get your camera ready to capture these amazing info-graphics.
Check out: Wednesday, July 30 – ‘Data superstars present one killer statistic each that will blow your mind’
“A view from the top will put international education into context of the wider challenges universities face”
6. Visas, asylum, genuine students and legal immigration agents
We have officially entered a new, managed era of edu-immigration and the stakes are high. The financial reality of MD111 and MD106 are hitting the sector hard. From visa rejections to ELICOS closures, we will take stock of the current state of play – then attempt to chart a way forward. The time for speculation has past, the new government is committed to reducing net migration and new systems are needed to face that reality.
Check out: Tuesday, July 29 – ‘Expert community: agents and immigration consultants speak’; Wednesday, July 30 – ‘Visas and asylum: MD111 and MD106 mapping – is the current visa system working?’
7. VC / President / PVCi – Ask me anything
We used to invite university executives on stage to share their perspective of the bigger picture in higher education. Now we invite them to a roundtable so you can personally grill them on anything, from finances, to technology, to free speech.
Don’t be shy, you can literally ask them anything. Delegates will gain a wider appreciation of all the factors at play in running a university in this climate, while university leaders will hear perspectives from the chalk-face. You don’t have to be a VIP to gain access to this session, this is about breaking down barriers.
Check out: Tuesday, July 29 – ‘VC / PVCi ask me anything roundtable’
8. Leveraging the expertise in the audience
The PIE Live has forged a reputation as a conference where leaders go to network and share knowledge. The reality is that our audience is inter-changeable with any speaker on stage – so we have reinvented the conference format to create more expert communities, town halls and workshops to facilitate discussion and learning.
Our reviews speak for themselves. We encourage you to get involved, raise the bar and face your challenges head-on with like-minded colleagues. Expert communities include TNE, alliances, agents, female leaders, K-12 and student voice.
Check out: ‘Expert community: TNE and University Alliances’; ‘Expert community: agents and immigration consultants speak’; ‘Expert community: Indigenous knowledges in Asia Pacific universities’; and ‘Workshop: female leaders discuss how to find their voice (and be heard)’
9. The rise of APAC: discover an Asian-centred ecosystem
Population, economic growth and Western culture-wars all point to an increasingly Asian-centred world and education sector. We have picked some of the hottest study hubs across the region to explain the growing demand for Asian students to study in Asia.
From branch campuses to TNE articulations, our experts will be showing just how you can get involved. Countries presenting at this year’s conference include Malaysia, New Zealand, India and Korea – in addition to recognition of indigenous knowledge from across the Pacific.
Check out: APAC special guests include Dr Jaeho Yeom (president, Taejae University); Amanda Malu (Education New Zealand);
10. Cybersecurity and digital transformation
Our keynote comes from the US consulate about security issues and wider geopolitical pressures. This is brought into stark reality in our Tech-stack panel on the pitfalls of digital transformation – and our demo of AI agents as we talk to a robot university counsellor live on stage. Expect practical tips on how to embrace technology alongside sobering reminders of just how high stakes the risks can be.
Check out: Tuesday, July 29 – My robot university counsellor – AI demo; Wednesday, July 30 – ‘Beyond our control: how geopolitics & security issues impacting international education’; Expert community: Tech stack – improving the digital student journey.
The PIE Live APAC will take place July 29-30, 2025, at HOTA: Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast. It is a short, sharp conference that brings together leaders and emerging leaders from across the sector. Book your tickets or enquire about sponsorship availability here.
The post HOTA than hell: 10 reasons to be excited about The PIE Live APAC appeared first on The PIE News.