Online event: Victorian Council of Deans of Education Symposium

You are invited to attend a symposium hosted by the Victorian Council of Deans of Education (VCDE) to examine the role of partnerships across all education systems, governments and higher education providers to sustain, support and transform the teaching profession.

At this symposium, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, the Honourable James Merlino MP, will present on the importance and opportunities that partnership arrangements between the Department of Education and Training (DET), the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Providers and School Systems and early learning providers could offer to revitalise the teaching profession in Victoria.

In addition, DET will present the principles underpinning a draft Memorandum of Understanding designed to bring these parties together to further this ambition. We hope that you will join us for this important discussion.

Speakers:

The Honourable James Merlino MP

Minister for Education

James entered public life in 1997, serving as a councillor for Yarra Ranges Council, which included a period as Deputy Mayor between 1997 and 2002. James was first elected to Parliament as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Monbulk in 2002.

Following the 2006 state election, James became Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs. As Minister, Highlights during this period as Minister for Sport include the re-development of Melbourne Park and the 20-year extension of the Australian Tennis Open until at least 2036.

In February 2012 he was elevated to Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education.

Following Labor's victory at the 2014 state election, James was sworn in as Deputy Premier and Minister for Education in the Andrews Labor Government. When Labor won its second term in the 2018 State Election, James was given the added responsibility of Early Childhood under his Education Portfolio.

Professor John Dewar AO

Vice-Chancellor and President, La Trobe University

Professor Dewar AO is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where he was also a Fellow of Hertford College from 1990-1995. He taught at the Universities of Lancaster and Warwick in the UK, and worked for the London law firms Allen & Overy and Farrer & Co.

He came to Australia in 1995, and held senior leadership positions at Griffith University and the University of Melbourne, where he was Provost, before taking up the position of Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe.

Professor Joanna Barbousas

Dean and Head of School, School of Education, La Trobe University

Professor Barbousas has a wealth of higher education experience and is the President of the Victorian Council of Deans of Education.

She has been instrumental in transforming and reshaping our Education courses with innovative curriculum changes, a refreshed staffing portfolio and having a clear strategic direction for the future.