The PIE Live Asia Pacific returns to the Gold Coast, Australia, and this year we are embracing the conference venue at HOTA: Home of the Arts, in Surfer’s Paradise, which includes an independent cinema and theatre, with some movie-themed sessions and blockbuster speakers.
The PIE Live Asia Pacific takes place on 28-29 July 2026 – with our bespoke K-12 event, The PIE High, commencing a day earlier on 27 July 2026.
- Julian Hill’s hot seat Q&A will be box office
Julian Hill MP, Australia’s assistant minister for multicultural affairs and international students is undoubtedly a major draw for the conference this year, as he takes the hot seat with The PIE CEO Amy Baker for a live Q&A. Australian plot twists continue with visa hikes and a new funding system for higher education, so what next for this epic saga?
- Malaysia is Asia
Both The PIE and APAIE will be holding conferences in Kuala Lumpur next March as the world focuses on Malaysia’s rise as higher education hub. We are delighted to welcome Azlinda binti Azman, director general of higher education to The PIE stage as we get a preview of how global universities, industry and talent are choosing Malaysia as strategic partner for an Asian-centred world.
- Across the uni-verse: exploring multi-university models, branch campuses and alliances
Multi-university campus models and cross-border collabs are becoming all the rage as institutions increasingly seek to collaborate rather than compete in key markets. Australia was an earlier pioneer in this movement so we will be checking in with some TNE explorers to see how this particular franchise is playing out.
- Aotearoa New Zealand: Rebuilding with purpose – a feel-good story of recovery and renewal
Education New Zealand CEO, David Downs will be speaking at the conference in one of his first appearances since starting the role. The Kiwi story is a feel-good hit that is gaining international attention. From new post-study work visas to transparent data on agents, we will be unpacking the ENZ independent approach that is rebuilding the country’s appeal stronger than ever. Shout out to the University of Wellington and Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus as best supporting actors at the conference.
- Back to the future: Exploring the things AI can’t replace
SEEK investments were early backers of IDP and Crimson Education and managing director Josh Nester will be giving a deeply personal keynote reflecting on the transformative power of international education and the uniquely human skills built through international experiences that are our greatest competitive advantage.
We also have a big-screen edtech showcase with insights from leading experts including Kerstin Schofer, director, global and digital education innovation at the University of Technology Sydney.
- Big opportunity in little China
We have assembled the sector’s leading experts to unpack China’s 10-fold increase in TNE activity; the Northern Metropolis higher education hub development in Hong Kong’s Greter Bay area; and Taiwan’s rise in the rankings and semi-conductor scholarships. Ignore China’s progress at your peril, as international partnerships are top of an ambition to grow TNE participants from 800,000 to eight million students.
- It’s a Wonderful Life: can international students still afford Australia?
Blocked accounts could be a game-changer for the compliance conundrum, and we are obsessed. At this year’s conference we will be exploring how better money management can help rebuild trust in the sector. John Crutchley, CEO of MIST will be explaining how big brands like Navitas and LaTrobe University are embracing blocked account and fund verification services to make students more compliance – and Matthew Noble, assistant secretary, temporary visas branch from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia will be answering questions on visa fee hikes and what role finance plays in identifying genuine students.
- One flew over the cuckoo’s nest – a chaotic quiz with Kahoot!
We’ve teamed up with Kahoot! and Experience Gold Coast to produce another live quiz format that will surprise and delight. If London was anything to go by, then expect utter chaos, competitive spirit and the mass mispronunciation of names. It’s only a bit of fun, but you still want to win! Come and win some prizes as we put Kahoot! on a cinema sized screen for the first time.
- Catch me if you can: agent regulation, compliance and risk
Trust and compliance are key themes at all our events at the moment, but how much risk is being outsourced to agents and service providers in the admissions process? We will be discussing how to succeed in riskier recruitment markets and how bad actors can be hiding in plain sight. Seema Shah will be introducing the new Australian International Education Consultants Association (AIECA) initiative and various global agents will be shedding light on the best practices, and technology being used in other markets around the world.
- One Nation, social licence and jobs
We can’t ignore the current soundtrack in our politics. We’ve assembled some hard-hitting speakers that won’t pull any punches as we face reality and get fit for the fight! From media commentator Abul Rivzi on Australia’s goal to reduce net migration, to our panel on social licence, expect home truths and reality checks. We are even recreating Room 101 to help colleagues therapeutically bin the bureaucracy.
Limited tickets and speaker slots for the PIEx Power Up stage are still available for this event. If you would like to attend or speak, please visit our event page here for more details. We look forward to seeing you on the Gold Coast!
