Advancing transnational education: Building skills and partnerships in Southeast Asia

On behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, you are invited to express your interest in the event “Advancing transnational education: Building skills and partnerships in Southeast Asia” for an exclusive briefing on the expanding opportunities for collaboration in Southeast Asia’s education sector.

As governments across the region place a premium on workforce development, skills mobility, and education reform, transnational education (TNE) is emerging as a key pathway to deliver high-quality training, dual and joint qualifications, and industry-aligned outcomes. Demand is growing rapidly for education models that combine academic excellence with practical, workforce-ready skills.

This panel will explore how Australian institutions and businesses can expand their TNE footprint by partnering with government, universities and industry to address skills shortages, build local capacity and deliver programs aligned to regional priorities. The discussion will highlight opportunities across vocational and technical training, higher education partnerships and executive education.

Gain practical insights into market trends, partnership models and success factors that position Australian providers to play a leading role in shaping Southeast Asia’s talent and workforce agenda.

We acknowledge the support of our event partner Study NSW.

Date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Time: Arrival and morning tea from 10.00am – 10.30am. Event at 10.30am – 12.00pm
Location: Sydney, Venue TBA

To express your interest in attending, please register using the link above or here.

As this is an invitation-only event, we will review submissions and contact eligible organisations with further details. Places are limited and we are prioritising submissions from Australian businesses with an interest in Southeast Asia. Expression of interest does not guarantee attendance.

We look forward to the opportunity to connect with you. For any queries, please contact asialinkbusiness-events@unimelb.edu.au

​​​Lisa Rodgers, Australia’s Business Champion for Brunei and CEO, Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)

Lisa Rodgers, PSM, is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). As a leader committed to improving the prospects of children and young people, Lisa Rodgers has contributed significantly to this pursuit in public roles in both Australia and New Zealand. She became CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Research in September 2024 and now leads the organisation's ambitious agenda of redefining learning and transforming learning systems to help people succeed across the lifespan. Lisa brings extensive experience in school improvement and educational leadership to the role.

Prior to joining ACER, Lisa was the Director General, of the Department of Education in Western Australia, and CEO of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. She led significant reforms that resulted in improved student outcomes. 

Lisa worked as the CEO for the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) after 17 years of service in NZ. Working as a Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Education, NZ, across early childhood and schooling, her focus was on assessment, curriculum and the use of evidence for impact at the classroom and national level. Lisa has a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology.

The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP is the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith. 
He is currently serving as the Assistant Minister for Immigration and the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Matt was formerly a member of the Australian Senate from 2011 to 2013 during which time he served as Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport. 
Matt grew up in Maroubra, went to school in Pagewood and attended the University of NSW in Kensington where he studied economics before going on to become a lawyer. 
Matt Thistlethwaite is an active community volunteer and passionate advocate for advancing the interests of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
Matt has extensive experience representing workers as a lawyer and trade union official in a range of industries including transport, power, manufacturing, agriculture, public sector, health and horse racing.

Simon Moore, Assistant Secretary, National Security & Resilience
Australian Department of Education

Simon leads work on national security, resilience and strategic policy issues in higher education, with a focus on research security, foreign interference, international education and transnational education. 
Prior to his current role, Simon held a range of senior leadership positions across the Australian Government, including international representation and policy roles spanning education, infrastructure, transport and maritime issues.

His career has included senior roles in strategy, regulation, and foreign and trade policy.
Simon is also a former print and television journalist and a recipient of the Australian Service Medal. He also worked briefly as an exploration geologist early in his career. Simon grew up in a small coastal town in Queensland and has longstanding maritime interests, including sailing and spearfishing along Australia’s eastern coast.

Catherine Mudford, Acting CEO, Asialink Business

Catherine is a senior business leader with 20+ years’ experience in international business, gained across developed and emerging markets. She has lived in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore and worked extensively across the Asia region from these bases. Her career to date has included roles on the client side and in consultancy, in the private sector, government and in the education sector. She joined Asialink Business in 2021 leading the development of a series of initiatives to equip Australian businesses with the skills to succeed in fast-changing Asia. This included launching the Asialink Business Academy in 2023 and the publication this year of “Asialink Leaders: 30 Years of Asia success” showcasing stories of business success in Asia and the capabilities that enable that.

Catherine is passionate about helping leaders and organisations build the awareness and insight to help them be successful as they work across borders.

Additional speakers to be announced soon.