PLAP 2025 Celebrates Visionaries and Emerging Leaders in Global Education

Global Education Leaders Gather at PLAP 2025 to Reframe Sector Priorities

In a pivotal moment for international education, the third edition of the Policy, Leadership and Partnerships (PLAP) Conference 2025 was held from 29–30 July at HOTA: Home of the Arts, situated in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia. As the first major sectoral gathering following the landslide victory of the Anthony Albanese-led Labour government, the conference provided a strategic forum for recalibrating both national and global education priorities.

Over two days, the event welcomed delegates from more than 20 countries, comprising government officials, education providers, university leaders, policy experts, consultants, entrepreneurs, and international students. Through a series of high-level discussions, participants explored avenues for strengthening cross-border collaboration, reimagining institutional accountability, and advancing inclusive policy frameworks in response to the evolving global education landscape. While the conference primarily focused on policy developments within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, it also addressed broader themes including artificial intelligence in education, student entrepreneurship, transnational education, K–12 reform, edu-immigration, sustainability, and the future of regional education systems.

A key highlight was the presentation of the Lifetime Impact Award, conferred upon Ravi Lochan Singh (South Asia) and Mark Lucas (Asia Pacific) in recognition of their decades-long contributions to international education. These awards were proudly sponsored by Griffith University. Singh, founder of Global Reach, reflected on his journey from arriving in Australia in 1990 as a student at Bond University to receiving the award on the Gold Coast 35 years later. Established in 1991 by three Bond MBA graduates, including Sushil Sukhwani of Edwise International, Global Reach has since evolved into a leading overseas education consultancy, operating 46 offices across six countries and maintaining partnerships with over 500 universities worldwide.

His impact was notably underscored in a 2024 PIE News analysis, which ranked Global Reach and IDP among the top consultancies for partnerships with Australian universities. As AAERI President from 2019 to 2023, Singh was widely credited with enhancing credibility and ethical standards across Indian student recruitment agencies. In a LinkedIn post, Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude for receiving the award in the presence of his family, describing it as a deeply meaningful milestone. He acknowledged his wife, children, and daughter-in-law as his enduring source of strength and inspiration.

At PLAP 2025, Mark Lucas received the Lifetime Impact Award for the Asia Pacific region from Marnie Watson, Vice President (Global), Griffith University, in recognition of his longstanding contributions to the sector. Former Chair of the Australian Council of Private Education, Lucas held various leadership roles in Australia and China, including as Managing Director of iae Global. Under his stewardship, the organisation expanded into key markets such as Vietnam, India, and Japan, while transitioning from language education to deeper engagement with universities and pathway providers.  A vocal proponent of stronger agent-university relations, Lucas previously served on the board of AIRC and chaired ISEAA, Australia’s peak body for education agents. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Global Partnerships at Huatong International, the Shanghai-based arm of iae China.

Also recognised at PLAP 2025 was Rohan Pasiri, Co-founder and CEO of Manifest Global, who received the Emerging Leader of the Year – Asia Pacific & South Asia award for his work in streamlining international admissions through enhanced school-university-student linkages. In a LinkedIn post, Pasiri described the award as a powerful affirmation of Manifest Global’s mission. He emphasised the organisation’s commitment to student-centred solutions, institutional collaboration, and broader contributions to advancing human potential through education.PLAP 2025 concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and collective resolve to shape a more inclusive and globally connected education future.

Editor’s Note:

The 2025 Policy, Leadership and Partnerships (PLAP) Conference, held at Surfers Paradise in Australia, came at a crucial time for international education. As the first major event after Australia’s new government took office, the gathering brought together leaders and experts from over 20 countries to rethink and rebuild the direction of global education. This initiative focused on reshaping how education systems work together across borders. Key topics included policy reform, the role of artificial intelligence in classrooms, student entrepreneurship, and ways to make education more inclusive and sustainable. The event also recognised outstanding individuals who have shaped international education over the years, including Ravi Lochan Singh, Mark Lucas, and Rohan Pasiri, highlighting the importance of long-term leadership and innovation in this field. What makes PLAP 2025 so important is its emphasis on collaboration and accountability in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Skoobuzz asserts that by encouraging stronger links between schools, universities, and governments, the conference laid the groundwork for a more accessible, student-focused, and future-ready education system. The ideas shared here will likely shape policy decisions, partnerships, and student experiences for years to come.