Conference: Victoria and the Asian Century
This event has already taken place.
What does the rise of Asia mean for Victoria's economy, society and strategic environment?
This conference will examine the opportunities and challenges facing Victoria in the Asian Century. It will explore how industry and government can work together to build stronger relationships across the region, including closer educational, cultural and people-to-people links.
Join business leaders, senior government officials and leading academics to discuss the future for Victoria.
Registrations have now closed for this event.
Summary program and presentations
Opening address: A Federal Government perspective
Welcome: Mr George Pappas (Victoria University and Committee for Melbourne)
Keynote speaker: The Hon Bill Shorten MP
Dinner and discussion: Victoria and the Asian Century
Chair: Mr Sid Myer AM (Asialink)
Panel speakers: Mr John Garnaut (The Age), Ms Wesa Chau (Cultural Intelligence) and Mr Kevin Li (Chairman, AustCham South China, President of the Australian China Alumni Association South China and Managing Director of Concorde Investment Management Company Ltd.)
Download a summary of the dinner and discussion.
Session 1: Tertiary Education in the Asian Century
Chair: Professor Peter Dawkins (Victoria University)
Panel speakers: Professor Ed Byrne (Monash University): Tertiary Education in the Asian Century, Ms Elizabeth Lee (Sunway Education Group and Sunway University): Higher Education in the Asian Century, Mr Dino Bettiol (NMIT): Vocational Education in the Asian Century and Dr Joanne Pyke (Victoria University): The importance of Alumni networks in Asia
Download a summary of session 1.
Session 2: Creating Sustainable Cities – what can we learn from each other?
Chair: Mr Rob McGauran (McGauran Giannini Soon Architects)
Panel speakers: Mr Tony Wood (Grattan Institute and Clean Energy), Dr Dewi Kirono (CSIRO) and Dr Brenda Lin (CSIRO): Creating sustainable cities
Download a summary of session 2.
Luncheon address: Australia and the Asian Century - lessons for Victoria
Keynote speaker: Dr Ken Henry, Chief Architect of the White Paper ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ and renowned Economist
Keynote speaker: Ms Kelly Dwyer MP, Member for Higgins (Victoria), Liberal Party of Australia
Session 3: Engaging with Asia in Business – the challenges and opportunities
Chair: Mr Ben Foskett (Pathway Services Pty Ltd)
Panel speakers: Mr Paul Morris (Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences): Engaging with Asia in agri-business, Mr Kee Wong (e-Centric Innovations, Deputy Chairman of the Australian Information Industry Association and Board Member of the Australia-Malaysia Institute Advisory Board) and Professor Bruce Rasmussen (Victoria University): Services export opportunities for Victorian firms in Asia
Download a summary of session 3.
Victoria and the Asian Century: A State Government Perspective
Keynote speaker: Mr Andrew Shearer, Deputy Secretary, International Engagement, Department of Premier and Cabinet: Victoria in the Asian Century,
Session 4: Capabilties for Victoria and the Asian Century
Chair: Ms Jenny McGregor (Asialink)
Panel speakers: Mr Wayne Burns (ACIL Allen Consulting), Mr David Chu (ShineWing Hall Chadwick), Mr Kevin Li (Chairman, AustCham South China, President of the Australian China Alumni Association South China and Managing Director of Concorde Investment Management Company Ltd.) and Mr Mark Laurie (PricewaterhouseCoopers).
Download a summary of session 4.
Related editorials and news articles
- Mr George Pappas, Higher education a no-brainer to drive growth
- Ms Jenny McGregor, Business must rise up to meet the Asian Century
- Professor Bruce Rasmussen, We can offer the world more than iron ore
- Dr Ken Henry, Right place, right time to be part of the Asian century
VU news articles on conference outcomes
This conference is part of a series discussing Victoria's future. View the presentations from our first conference: Victoria at the Crossroads?
![](https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_at_small_breakpoint/public/events/images/homepage-victoria-asian-century.jpg?itok=D1f8c-Z7)
When?
This event has already taken place.