HEDx

Josh Nester MD of SEEK investments is joined by a group of the world's most innovative EdTech companies. Nicola Cresp of OES, Joel di Trapani of Vygo, Sabih bin Wasi of Stellic and Trevor Fairweather of ReadyTech dissect issues of scaling student impact with AI. They explore the need all students have for human connection and how tech solutions need to add, not detract from it, in personalised ways at times and places where it can make a difference. And they identify the need for humans in the loop to include leaders who need to be bold and push beyond tentative pilots to really see technology make a difference to the student experience.

This is the first in a series of snappy short podcasts called podbites. They are updates on a key topic and question with inputs from various members of the HEDx ecosystem at the time. This one follows a visit to Canberra and Sydney during the UA conference of 2026 and argues that we need more inputs from external sources including students, out-of-sector innovators, and international sources to avoid being stuck in an echo chamber or loop of conservative thinking. That is commonly called hallucinating and we need to avoid it. Thats what HEDx is doing as it facilitates sector disruption.

The first Student Experience episode features a lively panel of students and sector leaders from the launch event, exploring the exciting future of the podcast and the role of student voice in shaping higher education.
Hosted by Kelly Matthews, with contributions from Martin Betts, the episode also features insights from David Turvey PSM (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) and Jonathan Davey (CEO, Online Education Services).
The panel brings together diverse perspectives from across the sector all united by a shared belief in the power of asking better questions and truly listening to students. Together, they explore why student voice matters and how meaningful dialogue can shape the future of higher education.
Featuring panelists:
Sarah Bendall (National Student Ombudsman)
Richard Lee (Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations)
Sam Jacob (CEO, Collarts)
Jasmine Johnston (Deakin University; University Chancellors Council)
Professor Kerri-Lee Krause (TEQSA)
Weihong Liang (Council of International Students Australia)
Jennifer Lowe (University of Newcastle)
Professor George Williams (Western Sydney University).

Noah Pickus, Director of Global Strategy from Duke University joins the podcast to launch this alliance to Australian and NZ. With a closing date for EOIs of March 6, time is tight to join a global alliance of diverse institutions seeking to learn from each other in their innovation. HEDx is delighted to be working with Noah and bringing him to Sydney in June. We are also connecting his venture with HEDx collaborations in the UK with Rose Luckin and the EDUCATE Ventures Research Shaping Future Leaders Coalition. Listen to them both describe the backgrounds to their innovation sharing activity and connections with HEDx as it goes global.

Timothy Burt from the Future Skills Organisation, Gail Bray from Victoria University, Colin Gniel from LinkedIn and Dr. Kathryn Blyth from The University of Queensland explore:  why AI evolves faster than curriculum, systems and our ability to keep up, why coordination across sectors is fragmented, and why human skills in communication, judgement and creativity are rising in value. One line stayed with me:“AI is evolving faster than our people can build their skills…”The future isn’t AI vs humans. It’s AI-fluent, human-centred higher education professionals and institutions.What are you seeing in your institution and with your colleagues?