2022 AAIR Forum Review

For the opening day, we held our Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions on the Wednesday afternoon. It was wonderful to have Australian Government representatives attend the Load Management and Planning SIG, the Government Reporting SIG, and the Surveys and Evaluation SIG. AAIR wishes to thank the government representatives for their continued support of AAIR. We also hosted the Business Intelligence and Analytics SIG. The AAIR Executive Committee wishes to thank all AAIR SIG Chairs for their contribution, continued leadership, and presentations throughout the year. Following the SIG sessions, it was time for a social get-together for all those attending the AAIR Forum in person. This social function was held at UBar at the university, where the Social Research Centre sponsored pizzas and drinks.

Day 2 of the AAIR Forum began with an acknowledgment and welcome to the AAIR Forum by the AAIR President, Stuart Terry. Stuart also thanked our official Day 2 partner, Explorance for their ongoing support of AAIR. Jonathan Wylie, Vice President of Strategy, Planning and Performance, then officially welcomed the attendees to Macquarie University. Jonathan then gave a brief history of Macquarie University.

The first keynote presentation was presented by Andrew Norton from Australian National University. He talked about the future direction of higher education policy affecting Australian higher education providers. Andrew explained how some policies and bills have potentially significant implications for higher education. He also provided some details on future proposals under the Australian Universities Accord the proposed dates for the review, proposed outcomes, and the introduction of those changes.

Following the keynote, we held the 2022 AAIR AGM. AAIR President, Stuart Terry, outlined the many achievements of the Association throughout 2022, especially as we emerge from COVID-19 into a position where AAIR will again be hosting ‘in-person’ events. At the AGM, we also had the pleasure of voting in a new life member, Greg Jakob. Well deserved Greg, especially for your role as AAIR Treasurer over the last 4 years while the country was in lockdown, for keeping AAIR viable through this difficult time, and for your service on the committee prior to that since 2015. From all of us at AAIR, good luck in your retirement from the higher education sector.