17E – From Mobility to Employability: Co-Creating Future-Ready Talent in the AI Age

12:00 - 12:45 24/03/27 ROOM MY 11

Abstract

In the AI age, graduate success depends on more than technical knowledge. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can adapt to change, work across cultures, solve complex problems, and apply emerging technologies in real-world contexts. This panel explores how universities, industry, and government can collaborate to create cross-border internship and mobility opportunities that develop these future-ready capabilities.

Drawing on perspectives from Adelaide University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Aurecon, and a Southeast Asian partner institution, the session will showcase partnership models that combine international mobility, industry placements, applied research, and challenge-based learning. These experiences enable students to gain global exposure while working on real industry and societal challenges in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation, and climate resilience.

The discussion will examine how each partner contributes to talent development: universities provide academic and research expertise, industry offers workplace learning and skills insights, and government supports policy alignment and investment. Together, they create pathways that enhance employability, strengthen regional talent pipelines, and prepare graduates to thrive in an AI-enabled workforce.

Aligned with APAIE 2027’s theme, the session highlights the human skills—adaptability, collaboration, ethical judgement, and intercultural understanding that remain essential for success in a rapidly changing world.

Learning objectives

  • Identify effective university–industry–government partnership models that create cross-border internships, mobility pathways, and applied learning opportunities.
  • Understand how collaborative mobility programs can enhance graduate employability, workforce readiness, and competitiveness in an AI-enabled global economy.
  • Explore strategies for integrating industry projects, research placements, and challenge-based learning into international student experiences.
  • Examine how universities, industry, and government can align priorities, resources, and investments to develop future-ready talent.
  • Recognise the human capabilities most critical in the AI age, including adaptability, intercultural competence, communication, ethical judgement, and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Gain insights into scalable partnership models that address regional challenges while strengthening internationalisation across the Asia-Pacific.

Target audience

  • International education leaders
  • Partnership
  • Employability, internship and career services practitioners
  • Industry engagement and research collaboration managers
  • Academic leaders
  • Government and policy representatives
  • Those interested in graduate employability, cross-border internships, and impact-driven internationalisation.

Session members

Click underlined name to view biography.

Session members will be added shortly once they have confirmed their participation.

Presentations

Key Dates

General Proposal Submissions

General Proposal Submission:
24 June 2026 23:59 AEST Closed

Proposal notifications:
late September 2026

Academic Research Submissions

Phase 1: Abstract Submission:
3 June 2026 Closed

Phase 2: Full Paper Submission (for accepted abstracts):
12 August 2026 Closed

Phase 3: Revised Full Paper Submission (incorporating reviewer feedback):
12 November 2026

Registration

Early bird open: from mid-September 2026
Early bird close: 12 January 2027
Standard open: 13 January 2027
Standard close: 20 March 2027
Late open: 21 March 2027

APAIE 2027 Conference & Exhibition

Pre-conference workshops: 21 March 2027
APAIE 2027 Kuala Lumpur: 21 – 25 March 2027
Post-conference campus tours: 25 March 2027

Submissions

Proposal submission: 24 April – 24 June 2026
Research submission: 24 April – 3 June 2026
Pre-conf workshop submission: 24 April – 3 June 2026

Early bird open: from mid-Sepember 2026
Early bird close: 12 January 2027
Standard open: 13 January 2027
Standard close: 20 March 2027
Late open: 21 March 2027