ICMS Symposium 2025: Shaping Future Leaders and Industry-Ready Graduates

Over the past  year, ICMS has been quietly working on building a platform that celebrates educational excellence and showcases scholarly work and achievements across its teaching community.

More than just an event, the ICMS Symposium is designed as a moment to share what’s working, exchange ideas, and recognise the incredible contributions of our educators.

From dynamic assessment redesigns to impactful research in learning and teaching, the energy and ambition in the room are transforming the way we think about education.

This transformation isn’t just symbolic!

It reflects a deeper cultural shift toward valuing evidence-based practice, reflective teaching, and industry-relevant educational innovation. The Symposium has become a space where educators present their work, engage in critical dialogue, and build connections that bridge academia and professional practice.

Beyond the buzz and inspiration, this platform has also become a strategic asset strengthening ICMS’s narrative in its university college applications by demonstrating a clear commitment to scholarly practice, continuous improvement, and academic leadership, not just in policy, but in action.

Setting the Stage

ICMS’s annual Symposium, themed ‘Higher Education Cultivating Civic Leaders and Future-Ready Graduates’, brought together academics, industry leaders, and students to tackle big questions about education, careers, and community impact.

Held on 29 August at the ICMS Northern Beaches Campus, the day began with a warm welcome from Dr Patrick Shearman as MC.

After the Acknowledgement of Country, Professor Heidi Le Sueur, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), opened the event with a clear message: higher education must connect with industry and community to create real-world impact.

“This year marks a transformation,” Professor Le Sueur said.

“What began as the Faculty Forum has now evolved into the ICMS Symposium – a platform designed to be purposeful, inspiring, and forward-looking.

“At ICMS, we aim to become Australia’s leading industry-focused university college, preparing graduates not just with knowledge, but with the values, capabilities and connections to make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.”

She outlined the Symposium’s three core objectives: Connection, insight, and impact.

“We are here to build a strong sense of community, share good practices and innovations, and align our efforts with ICMS’s strategic goals.

Our strategic objectives on Educational Excellence and Scholarship  are not separate pursuits; they work together to strengthen our teaching, enhance student outcomes, and position ICMS as a thought leader in industry-focused higher education.”

Keynote: The Power of Connection

The morning keynote speaker, Kirryn Zerna, captivated the audience with her talk, ‘The Connect Effect: Mastering Human Connection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)’.

Zerna explored the importance of trust, empathy, and belonging in a tech-driven world, urging educators and leaders to focus on the human element in their work.

“There’s something we have that our competitors can’t replicate, our systems can’t automate, and tech can’t replace: it’s us,” Zerna said.

“Our people, our creativity, and our ability to connect are what set us apart. In this age of AI, human connection is your edge, and its effect is your superpower.”

She also reflected on the power of branding and its emotional resonance, drawing on Walter Landor’s famous observation, “Products are made in the factory, but brands are created in the mind.”

“What’s the story people have when they think of your brand? What’s the experience they have? It’s like perfume; it lingers. That’s the effect we’re trying to create.”

• For more insights from Kirryn’s Keynote speech, click here.

Leadership, Policy, and Real-World Learning

The mid-morning session, led by Dr Jasen Burgess who is the Chief Quality Officer at ICMS, discussed leadership and governance in education.

Natalie Watt, Executive Officer at ICMS, spoke about weaving civic values into curriculum and leadership strategies, while S. Janifer Jabin Jui, Lecturer at the Australian International Institute of Higher Education, introduced an AI tool designed to spot students at risk early, helping them stay on track.

ICMS’s Dr Nicole Hay and Virginia De Luca wrapped up the session with insights on designing future-focused courses and improving job opportunities for international graduates.

Industry and Innovation Take the Spotlight

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to industry partnerships and innovation.

Dr Ece Kaya, Senior Lecturer at UTS Business School, shared a case study on students solving real-world business challenges, while Corey Bate, an ICMS student, tackled the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes. His call for systemic change in high-performance sports struck a chord with the audience.

Fresh Ideas in Teaching and Learning

The final session, led by ICMS Associate Dean (Scholarship) Associate Professor Betul Sekendiz, showcased creative approaches to teaching.

Dr Rowena Ditzell, Lecturer at UTS, highlighted how interactive oral assessments are boosting career readiness, while ICMS Fashion Lecturer Allison Ford explored how AI is reshaping the fashion industry.

ICMS’s Kristen Beck and Dr Jae Won Kang then closed the session with a powerful talk on gender equality in sports leadership, using real-world examples to inspire change.

Student research posters

The ICMS Symposium served as a fantastic platform to showcase our lecturers’ good practices and innovation in teaching, while also providing students with the chance to share their own research projects with a diverse audience. Several undergraduate students presented research posters on a topic that relates to their studies. Their dedication and hard work reflect not only their academic accomplishments, but also the growing connections they have with industry and the broader research community.

The student research posters on display were:

• A life cycle of a residential property development – by Jamie Matuschka (supervisors John Nicols and Jae Won Kang)
• ​Grassroots to global – by Aliya Colburt (supervisors Darren Coughlan and Jae Won Kang)
• Educating young athletes regarding health concerns –  by Brandon Knezevic, Rafe Stanford Meisl (supervisors Dora Kelaiditis and Jae Won Kang)
• ​Building design and sustainability, by Millie Gomez White, Natacha Curty (supervisors Sam Cuccurullo and Jae Won Kang)
• The Second Chance Market Place, by Angelika Auerbach (supervisor Donna Gill).

Internal academic staff, peers from other universities and professionals from various industries all engaged with the work on display, making it a truly collaborative and inspiring event. The poster presentations stand as a testament to the quality of learning, teaching and industry engagement fostered within our ICMS community.

Wrapping Up with Celebration and Connection

The day ended on a high note with scholarship awards and grant presentations by Associate Professor Betul Sekendiz and closing reflections from Professor Le Sueur.

“Today’s theme reminds us that even in an age shaped by artificial intelligence, what truly matters is trust, empathy, and belonging,” she said.

She encouraged attendees to reflect on their key takeaways and turn inspiration into action.

The 2025 ICMS Symposium was a dynamic exchange of ideas, practical strategies, and meaningful connections.

As Executive Officer (Learning and Teaching) and main organiser of the ICMS Symposium, Joanne Gao reflected on the overwhelmingly positive feedback received, with many participants commending the high quality of the sessions:

“Looking ahead, we are excited to build on the partnership with all internal and external presenters, and explore further opportunities for collaboration in educational excellence and scholarly practice. Join us in celebrating the work that’s shaping the future of education, and be part of the momentum!”