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program (by day)

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Time Wednesday 28 MAY
Conference
7:00-7:15 Breakfast at hotels
7:15-7:30
7:30-7:45
7:40-7:50 Shuttles from All Hotels to BAU
     
7:50-8:00
8:00-8:10
8:30-9:00 Poster Setup | Building A - 1st Floor
8:00-9:00 Registration
B Conference | Main Hall
9:00-9:30 Music Resital by BAU Conservatory | Coffee Service
9:30-9:40 OPENING CEREMONY & REMARKS by Co Chair WACE Executive Committee | Norah McRae
9:40-9:50 BAU President | Prof.Dr. Esra Hatipoğlu
9:50-10:00 Former Assistant Secretary General to the UN |
H.E. Mr. Nikhil Seth
10:00-10:10 BAU Chairman | Enver Yücel (TBC)
10:10-11:00 KEYNOTE:
“Reimagining Careers - ‘Shape your own adventure’ “
Melissa (Mel) Gee Kee
Chief Talent, Development, and People Analytics Officer | Unilever
11:00-11:30 COFFEE BREAK
11:30-11:45 PANEL: AI & WIL
Chair Dr Norah McRae
11:45-12:00 Imran Mouna
     Director of Strategic Partnerships and Co-Founder, InStage
12:00-12:15 Esteban Veintimilla
     Director of Product and Partnerships, Employability, QS Quacquarelli   Symonds
12:15-12:30 Dr. Elka Walsh
     Americas Higher Education Transformation Lead., Microsoft
12:30-12:45 LUNCH BREAK | C TERRACE
12:45-13:00
13:00-13:15
13:15-13:30
Presentation   SESSION 1 A: Room - B Conference Presentation SESSION 1 B: Room -   A201 Presentation SESSION 1 C: Room -   A202 Presentation SESSION 1 D: Room -   A203 Roundtable SESSION 1 E: Room - A   205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 1   F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 1   G: Room - A 207
13:30-13:45 PB Venkataraman
G Sundar, S Ashwini

Understanding the mechanism of theory-practice integration in a work integrated learning model of education - An empirical study
Antoine PENNAFORTE

Enhancing Student International Mobility through work-integrated learning: Proposal for a Model Aligning Organizational Expectations with the Individual Aspirations of Generation Z
Aysu Döğer

Fostering
Aerospace Talent: LIFT UP Academic R&D Programs as a Model for Industry-Academia Collaboration
Süreyya Akyüz
Murat Gunes, Polat Goktas

Career Development, Sustainable Research, and Innovation: Bridging Pathways for Gen Z through the MCAA Lens



PHANOMMAS BUMRUNGSIN

SELMA M. IIPINGE, NARUPOLLAWAT HASTINDRA NA AYUDHAYA

Global Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Digital Era: Adapting to an Aging and Intergenerational Workforce
13:45-14:00 Shairn Hollis-Turner

What enables or constrains the transfer of learning from classroom to workplace?
Olga O Sullivan

Dr Colm Cunniffe, Dr Patrice Twomey

Driving quality and success in international work placements.... the story so far
Colin McMahon

The Sandbox Model: Advancing Flexible, Scalable, and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Work-Integrated Learning
14:00-14:15 Shabnam Ivkovic
Diane Schunk

To Boldly Go Where No Co-op Has Gone Before!
Copilot MS365: A Study to assess the use of generative AI for business process efficiencies
Ayşen Köse Şirin
Neyzen Aydın Yanık, Pınar Aylin Yırtıcı, Bahri Toper

Enhancing Workforce Readiness through a Chaos Theory-Based Career Psychoeducation Program
İbrahim Halil Özdemir

An Investigation of Student Perceptions and Perceived Cognitive Load Regarding a Low-code Programming Educational Program Conducted within the Scope of Industry-Academia Collaboration
14:15-14:30 Q&A Q&A Q&A
Presentation SESSION 2 A:B -   Conference Presentation SESSION 2 B: Room -   A201 Presentation SESSION 2 C: Room   A202 Presentation SESSION 2 D: Room -   A203 Roundtable SESSION 2 E: Room - A   205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 2   F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 2   G: Room - A 207
14:30-14:45 Charlene Marion

Building a National Eco-system for Quality WIL in Canada
Yifei Wang
Sarah Imran

Micro-Internships as a Pathway to Career Readiness: Fostering Early Industry Exposure and Career Exploration for Psychology Undergraduates
Graham Whyborn
Rachel Heyes,
Hanna Hopkinson

How to embed scaffolded work-integrated learning across each level to 900 Psychology students
Annette Clancy
Jaime Jones, Jennifer Keenahan, Elaine Wilson

Rethinking the Traditional Tripartite Stakeholder Model in Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Insights from an Irish University



Shabnam (Shay) Ivkovic
Norah McRae, Suman Armitage

Industry Engagement - No Silver Bullet ... But a solid strategy can make a big difference



14:45-15:00 Joanna Booth Louise Oldridge

Bridging the gap for work based learners during the menopause
Brittnie Aiello
Emma Duffy-Comparone

Navigating the Total Institution:
The Rewards and Risks of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants in Jail
Stephanie Perpick
Christine Arsenault

Executives & Entrepreneurs in Residence: Bridging the WIL gap for students, staff and faculty
Judene Pretti

Optimizing Role Design in Work-Integrated Learning: Balancing Student and Partner Outcomes
15:00-15:15 Seda Gökçe Turan

Cyberbullying in Work-Integrated Learning: Implications for Digital Well-being and Professional Development of Gen Z/Alpha Students
Myrza Karimov

From Vision to Reality: Establishing the First Work-Integrated Learning Model in Central Asia
Zeynep Bilgiç
Yavuz Günalay, Bahri Toper, Elif Okan Yolbulan

Perspective on New Generation Work Models in Institutions and Transformation to Networked Organization Turkey Research—2024
Leigh Kennedy
Lara Wakeling

Transforming Education: Federation University's Journey to Becoming Australia's First Co-operative University – Industry Focus
15:15-15:30 Q&A Q&A Q&A Q&A
15:30-15:45 COFFEE BREAK
Presentation SESSION 3 A:B -   Conference Presentation SESSION 3 B: Room -   A201 Presentation SESSION 3 C: Room -   A202 Presentation SESSION 3 D: Room -   A203 Roundtable SESSION 3 D: Room -   A205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 3   F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 3   G: Room - A 207
15:45-16:00 Jamie Noakes
Dana Stephenson

Experiential Learning Community Development through Project-based WIL Initiatives
Dr. Colm Cunniffe
Olga O'Sullivan

Authentic Assessment for Cooperative Education: Analysis of learning gains data from the trilogy of Students, Faculty, and Employers
Anne-Marie Fannon
Jennifer Graham

From Office to Online: How Work Mode Shapes Graduate Capital Development in WIL
Kimberly Burke Maureen Schomaker


Reimagining Hybrid Co-op: A Collaborative Discussion on Bridging Gaps and Building Best Practices



Hanna Hopkinson
     Rachel Heyes
     Graham Whyborn
          
     From Classroom to Career: Applying Work-Integrated Learning Strategies
16:00-16:15 Joseph Mesuwini

TVET Lecturer Work-Integrated Learning: An Industry Perspective
Helen Kobrc

Impacts of Aligning Co-op Curriculum with Academic Best Practices
Berna Guloglu
Selin Kurumaz, Burcak Cagla Garipagaoglu , Bahri Toper, Z.Ennur Şahin

TOLERANCE TO UNCERTAINTY ACROSS GENERATIONS IN WORKING LIFE
16:15-16:30 Judie Kay

The WACE Global Challenge Journey – From Vision to Impact
Leanne Mihalicz
Sarah Gibson, Harshita Dhiman

Teaching Beyond the Classroom Within Co-operative Education, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research Project
BURATIN KHAMPIRAT PHANOMMAS BAMRUNGSIN

Enhancing English Skills to Bridge the Gap Between Workplace Expectation and Satisfaction for Thai Gen Z Cooperative Education Students
16:30-16:45 Q&A Q&A Q&A
      
17:00 Shuttles from BAU to All Hotels
      
18:30-19:00 Shuttes from Hotels to Conrad Hotel
19:00-21:30 Welcome Reception – Cocktail Event - Music Recital by BAU Conservatory at CONRAD BOSPHORUS ISTANBUL | PANORAMIC TERRACE
21:30 Shuttes from Conrad Hotel to Hotels
Time
7:00-7:15 Breakfast at hotels
7:15-7:30
7:30-7:45
7:45-8:00
8:10-8:20 Shuttles from All Hotels to BAU
8:20-8:30
8:30-8:40
B Conference | Main Hall
9:00-9:15 PANEL: Bahçeşehir University Company   Integrated Learning Model – Branded Courses
9:15-9:30 Chair: Bahri Toper
     CO-OP Director
9:30-9:45 Hümeyra Adıgüzel
     Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences Dean
9:45-10:00 Veysi Küçük
CFO, Akkök Holding
CO-OP Student Mehmet Ozan Ediz
10:00-10:30 COFFEE BREAK | Tasting Event by Gastronomy   Students
10:30-10:45 Sector on Campus Program
      Turkish Ministry of Industry and   Techonology
10:45-11:00 Fatmanur Akın
Ministry of Industry and Technology, Head of Technology Education Department
11:00-11:15 Aslı Acı
     Ministry of Industry and Technology, Expert
11:15-11:30 Emre Önal
      Ministry of Industry and Technology,   Expert
Presentation SESSION 4 A: Room - B Conference Presentation SESSION 4 B: Room - A201 Presentation SESSION 4 C: Room - A202 Presentation SESSION 4 D: Room - A203 Roundtable SESSION 4 E: Room - A 205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 4 F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 4 G: Room - A 207
11:30-11:45 BURATIN KHAMPIRAT
SELMA M. IIPINGE

Re-imagining preparation for WIL placement in the Tech Industry workplace: Perspectives of students and workplace supervisors
Nancy Waite
Anthony Miller, David Drewery, Sarah de Waal, Jennifer Pereira

Evaluating Work-Integrated Learning Success and Long-term Feasibility: A Pharmacy Co-op Program Case Study
Dario   Guescini
     Elka Walsh     Fostering career and world-ready graduates: The   Impact of the Seneca-Amity-Microsoft Entrepreneurship WIL
Evelyn Lai
Tahmina Akhter, Margaret Connor, Natalie Yoon-na Oh, Flemming Rhode

The LRVE Story: When Academic Integrity meets Employability



Norah McRae
Elka Wash, Suman Armitage

AiWIL – Snapshots of our AI journey to a new frontier (through the Quality AAA WIL Framework )
Jamie Noakes
Mohna Baichoo, Heather Workman, Nina Bennett

Building the Work-Integrated Learning Community Engagement through Training and Development
11:45-12:00 Gulustan Dogan Priyanka Madishetty, Shannon Ford, Jacqueline Vaughn

Conquering Challenging Conversations: An AI-Driven, Work-Integrated Learning Preparation Platform for Proactive Communication Skills in Nursing Education
Özge ARSLAN
Dilara Sönmez

Supporting Future Leaders with WIL
Iraia Urkia-Basterra

Analysing The Influence Of Non-Curricular Work Experience On Student-Teachers’ Soft Skills: A quantitative study
Sarah Gibson
Lindsay Blackstock

Cultivating Connections: Introducing First Year Science Students to Career Readiness Through a New Professional Development Planning Framework
12:00-12:15 Helen Kobrc
Jung Ran Lim

Creating Authentic Learning Experiences in a Co-op Preparatory Course Through Faculty Collaboration
Rachael Baron
Sonia Ferns, Karsten Zegwaard

Dreaming & Scheming : Implementing an Employability Community of Practice across an Australian Institution.
Masase Eve Mageza-Mokhethi
Linda Ratau

Exploring WIE effectiveness in developing student’s work readiness
Cheryl Techentin
Maryam Lehmann

Psychology Students’ Experience of an Embedded WIL Program
12:15-12:30 Q&A Q&A Q&A Q&A
12:30-13:30 LUNCH   BREAK | Building A | 1st Floor POSTER SESSION

Building A | 1st Floor Main Hall During the poster session, presenters will be available next to their posters to discuss their work and engage with attendees.
    
13:30-13:45 KEYNOTE:
13:45-14:00 The Next Generation Campus: A Student-Centric   Approach & The Future of AI in Education
14:00-14:15 Hervé Jean-Marie Marchet
14:15-14:30 Head of Education | Middle-East,Turkey, &   Africa | Amazon Web Services
Presentation SESSION 5 A: Room - B Conference Presentation SESSION 5 B: Room - A201 Presentation SESSION 5 C: Room - A202 Presentation SESSION 5 D: Room - A203 Roundtable SESSION 5 E: Room - A 205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 5 F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 5 G: Room - A 207
14:30-14:45 Nothemba   Nduna
     
     Involving the workplaces to improve the practice of   work integrated learning in South African Technical and Vocational Education   and Training (TVET) Colleges
Bahri Toper
Hatice Necla Keleş, Tuncer Köklü, Ece Su Tümer

Expectations Of Generation Z From The Working Life: A Longitude Research
Siphokazi Vimbelo
Vuyokazi Maku

Integrating WIL – Industry based into Mathematics and Engineering Science teaching: A case study of the TVET preservice teachers at CPUT in the Western Cape
Carolyn Lee
Rawan Yasmin

Enhancing Youth Employability: The Role of Work-Integrated Learning in UAE Higher Education
Kristin Bracewell
Irene Sheridan, Stephen Cassidy

Toolkit for Co-designing work-integrated learning at the PhD level



14:45-15:00 Rachel Heyes
Hanna Hopkinson, Graham Whyborn

Two Universities working in partnership
Buratin Khampirat
Sereyrath Em, Phouthakoun Ekbanlang, Phanommas Bumrungsin

A New Integrated Leadership Framework for Bridging University-Business Collaboration and Preparing Gen Z/Alpha
Suzanne Schibeci


Real-world problems require a multi-expertise approach: facilitating interdisciplinary WIL for the current cohort of higher education students
15:00-15:15 Raj   Dam
     Susan Soikie     Shaping Future Leaders: Expanding   Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities through Industry Partnerships
T.   Judene Pretti
     Simon Chan, Kyra   Jones, Jamieson Cox     Bridging Generations: A Framework for Social   Innovation through Work-Integrated Learning
15:15-15:30 Q&A
     
Q&A Q&A Q&A
15:30-15:45 Coffee Break
Presentation SESSION 6 A: Room - B Conference Presentation SESSION 6 B: Room - A201 Presentation SESSION 6 C: Room - A202 Presentation SESSION 6 D: Room - A203 Roundtable SESSION 6 E: Room - A 205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 6 F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 6 G: Room - A 207
15:45-16:00 Foluso Philip Adekanmbi
Masase Eve Mageza-Mokhethi

Impact of Organisational Culture and Work Stress in Sustaining Effective Work-Integrated Learning among Doctoral Students: The Moderating Role of Institutional Support
Dario Guescini
Esteban Veintimilla

Seneca Polytechnic and 1Mentor (QS): Transforming Career Readiness Through Innovation, Data & AI
Mariana Jardim
Stephanie Perpick

How Academic Libraries Support Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Projects
Charlene Marion
     
     Unpacking WIL Realities: A Global Conversation
     
Suman Armitage, Bahri Toper
Norah McRae

Industry – Academy Partnerships – New models of WIL collaboration
Judie Kay
Shabnam Ivkovic
Exploring AI in Work-Integrated Learning
16:00-16:15 Kristin   Bracewell
     Irene Sheridan, Stephen Cassidy     Levelling Up: the dual roles of WIL in research   doctorates
David   Fenton
     
     Re-imagining Human Capital Theory and student   professional identity development in work-integrated learning with a   conceptual framework
Monique   du Plessis
     
     An ecosystem to Bridge the Gap and enhance readiness   for WIL Placement: A Commercial Photography approach
16:15-16:30 Sabri DERINÖZ
François Lambotte, Ingrid Poncin, Anne-Catherine Provost

Bridging the Science-Business Gap in WIL Through Students' Master Theses: A Business Perspective in French-Speaking Belgium
Nontuthuzelo Ngubane
Mr Sabelo Peter, Dr S Matope

Empowering Rural South African Students through Online Work Integrated Learning: Opportunities, Challenges, and Insights from Practera
Rod Brazier

Innovative Pedagogical Approaches in Higher Education: A Case Study of LCCA's Flexible Learning Model for Diverse Student Demographics
16:30-16:45 Q&A Q&A Q&A Q&A
      
17:00 Shuttles from BAU to All Hotels
      
18:45-19:15 Shuttles from All Hotels to BAU (for Gala)
19:30-22:30 GALA DINNER & WACE AWARDS| BAU C   TERRACE
     
     
     
22:30 Shuttles from BAU to All Hotels
Time Friday 30 MAY
7:00-7:15 Breakfast   at hotels
7:15-7:30
7:30-7:45
7:45-8:00
8:00-8:40 Shuttles from All Hotels to BAU
Roundtable SESSION 7 A: Room - B   Conference Presentation SESSION   7 B: Room - A201 Presentation SESSION   7 C: Room - A202 Roundtable SESSION 7 E: Room - A 205 Interactive Workshop SESSION 7 F:   Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop SESSION 7 G:   Room - A 207
09:00-09:15 Süreyya Akyüz Pooja Khurana, Polat Goktas
Beyond Bullet Points: Reframing Sustainable Career Development through Narrative CVs and Peer Mentorship for Gen Z
Justin Michael Battin

The role of Higher Education in driving environmental sustainability: A Vietnam-based case study
Lara Wakeling
Leigh Kennedy

Transforming Education: The Federation University Co-operative Model



Norah McRae Judie Kay

Developing Quality International WIL
Francesca Walker-Martin Sarah Bloomfield

From Isolation to Community – a Survivor's Guide
09:15-09:30 Katharine Hoskyn
T. JUDENE PRETTI, ANNE-MARIE FANNON, CHRISTINE ARSENAULT

Entrepreneurship in WIL or Entrepreneurial WIL? What is the difference?
Ling Loerchner
Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI)
Coop Education Practices and Industry Connection
09:30-09:45 Kimberly Burke
Maureen Schomaker

Invisible Trends: Exploring the Widespread Emergence of Hybrid Work Models and Strategies for Success
Melvin Fernando
Manuela Spiga

Empowering Inclusion: Accessibility Design Competition
09:45-10:00 Q&A Q&A
10:00-10:15 COFFEE BREAK
Presentation SESSION 8 A: Room - B   Conference Presentation SESSION   8 B: Room - A201 Presentation SESSION   8 C: Room - A202 Roundtable SESSION 8   E: Room - A 205 Interactive Workshop   SESSION 8 F: Room - A 206 Interactive Workshop   SESSION 8 G: Room - A 207
10:15-10:30 Kabuba Tshilenge

Predicting overall pass rate versus industry placement at the university of Technology using neural network
Tracey Dissel
Amy Jooste

Bridging the Skills Gap: Trends and Innovations in Work-Integrated Learning and Employability at Mandela University
Özlem Özgobek Catherine Balcerzak-Wimmer, Karolina Storesund

Bridging AI Education and Real-World Applications: Insights from the Canada-Norway IWIL AI Project and the Way Forward
Sarah Bloomfield    Abigail Salter, Evelyn Mooney     
     Café Connections: A workshop for Brewing Success in Workplace Mentorship
Christine Arsenault
Dave Fenton, Philip Brown

Workshop Proposal: Reimagining Student Engagement for WIL in Higher Education
10:30-10:45 Sam McKinstrie

Graduate Apprenticeships in Scotland
UNGKHANA THANAPIYAWANICH

GUIDELINES OF GROWTH MINDSET AND SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION STUDENTS’ SELF-EFFICACY
10:45-11:00 Yan Zhang
Gavin T.L. Brown, Jason M. Stephens

Peer Misconduct across School and Workplace Settings in China’s tertiary TVET
Zhiqing Zhang

From Co-op to Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Localizing Experiential Education in China and Its Impact on Student Development
11:00-11:15 Q&A Q&A
B Conference   | Main Hall
11:15-11:30 CLOSING REMARKS AND CEREMONY CLOSING REMARKS AND CEREMONY
Winning Poster announcement , International Research Symposim 2026 announcement, WACE Research Award announcement
11:30-11:45
11:45:12:00
12:00-12:15
12:15-12:30 BOXED LUNCH   | Building A | 1st Floor
12:30-12:45
12:45-13:00
13:00-13:15
13:30 Shuttles from   BAU to All hotels

WACE World Conference 2025 - Keynote Speakers

Hervé Jean-Marie Marchet
Head of Education | Middle-East,Turkey, & Africa | Amazon Web Services

Topic: The Next Generation Campus: A Student-Centric Approach & The Future of AI in Education

Herve is a leader in education transformation, driving the adoption of Amazon Web Services in the MEA region to enhance service delivery through technology. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, he co-founded and led start-ups in Technology, EdTech, and AI, gaining deep insights into the intersection of education and innovation. As Group CTO of GEMS Education, he played a key role in advancing K-12 learning. Previously, he spent 12 years at Apple as EMEA Education Director, overseeing a $2 billion education business. His early career included leadership roles at Packard Bell NEC and Zenith Data Systems, honing his expertise in operations, sales, and marketing. Holding an Executive MBA from HEC, one of Europe’s top business schools, Herve is a recognized thought leader in integrating technology into education, leveraging his vast experience to shape the future of learning.



Melissa (Mel) Gee Kee
Chief Talent, Development, and People Analytics Officer | Unilever

Topic: “Reimagining Careers - ‘Shape your own adventure’ “

Melissa Gee Kee (Mel) is a seasoned HR leader with over 21 years of experience across consulting and in-house roles in both startups and large corporations. She has worked and lived across the globe, including Japan, the UK, the US, Southeast Asia, Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia, and recently relocated to the Netherlands for her role in Unilever Ice Cream Division.

After earning a degree in Business with majors in HR Management and Organizational Communication from Queensland University of Technology, Mel began her career in retail before moving to Japan, where she worked in corporate training and HR consultancy, including a secondment to Microsoft. She later co-founded an HR consultancy startup. Since joining Unilever in 2008, Mel has led initiatives in learning, talent, and leadership development, pioneering award-winning digital selection processes and Inner Mobility Flex. She also served as Global HR Strategy Director, shaping Unilever’s HR agenda and transformation globally.

Dr. Fatma Nur Akın

Ministry of Industry and Technology, Head of Technology Education Department

Topic: Sector on Campus Program

Dr. Fatma Nur Akın received her B.Sc. in Chemistry Education from Middle East Technical University (METU) in 2009 alongside a minor in Chemical Engineering. She completed her Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education at METU in 2017.

Her academic work focuses on teacher education, science education, PCK, TPACK, and out of school learning. She worked as a research assistant at METU (2009–2017). Afterwards, she worked as an expert at ÖSYM Department of Measurement and Evaluation (2018–2021), and TÜBİTAK Department of Science and Society (2021–2024). She contributed to major national projects such as Deneyap Technology Workshops and Science Centers.

Dr. Akın is currently working as the Head of Technology Education Department at the Directorate General of National Technology. In addition, she teaches graduate-level course at METU.


Aslı ACI
Ministry of Industry and Technology, Expert

Topic: Sector on Campus Program

Aslı completed her undergraduate studies in Industrial Engineering and earned her graduate degree in Management Information Systems from Gazi University. Since May 2024, she has been leading the “Sector on Campus Program” within the Technology Education Department of the General Directorate of National Technology at the Ministry of Industry and Technology Turkeye . In this role, she oversees initiatives that strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, with a focus on technological innovation and workforce development.

Previously, Aslı served as a Senior Scientific Programs Specialist at TÜBİTAK, where she contributed to key science and technology policies, strategic plans, and support programs. She played a vital role in initiatives such as the Science and Technology High Council and the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy. Additionally, she was involved in quality assessment and stakeholder satisfaction frameworks, ensuring alignment with national science and technology policies across multiple TÜBİTAK units.

Emre ÖNAL
Ministry of Industry and Technology, Expert

Topic: Sector on Campus Program

Emre is a dynamic professional with a strong foundation in mathematics, holding a Bachelor's degree from Bilkent University. He currently serves as an expert at the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Turkeye where he leads the "Sector on Campus" initiative. This program fosters collaboration between academia and industry by integrating cutting-edge technological advancements into academic curricula.

With over a decade of diverse experience, Emre has excelled in roles spanning scientific program management, revenue analysis, and project consulting. Prior to his current role, he spent eight years at Turkish Airlines, where he advanced through various positions, including Senior Revenue Management Analyst. His responsibilities included market analysis, pricing strategy development, and revenue optimization across multiple international markets. His extensive experience in both public and private sectors equips him with a well-rounded perspective on technology, business strategy, and industry-academic collaboration.

WACE World Conference 2025 - AI AND WIL PANEL


Imran Mouna
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Co-Founder, InStage

Imran Mouna is the Co-Founder of InStage, an industry leader in AI assistance for higher-ed career and co-op programs. He’s dedicated to making career readiness more accessible through 24/7 AI-driven tools that simplify routine tasks and empower students to excel. Under Imran’s leadership, InStage has been spotlighted on CBC’s Metro Morning, won first place in Amazon’s global Education and Training Simulation competition, and helped thousands of learners refine their professional skills. He also hosts the Future of Higher Education Podcast, exploring groundbreaking trends that are shaping tomorrow’s academic and workforce landscape.


Esteban Veintimilla
Director of Product and Partnerships, Employability, QS Quacquarelli Symonds

Esteban Veintimilla first recognized the gap between higher education and industry demands during his tenure at the University of Waterloo. Motivated by this challenge, he founded 1Mentor with the ambitious goal of harnessing artificial intelligence to enable higher education institutions to keep pace with the rapid advancements in industry. Following QS' acquisition of 1Mentor, Esteban is now the Director of Product, Employability at QS Quacquarelli Symonds. In this capacity, he is dedicated to spearheading the development of pioneering technology that transforms the way higher education adapts to a rapidly changing world.


Dr. Elka Walsh
Americas Higher Education Transformation Lead., Microsoft

Passionate about student success and preparing learners to thrive in the digital future, Dr. Elka Walsh is the Americas Higher Education Transformation Lead for Microsoft where she helps universities across Canada and the United States achieve the art-of-the-possible for the future of higher education. Prior to joining Microsoft, Elka held leadership positions in colleges and polytechnics, government, and not-for-profits. She has also advised provincial and federal governments and international organizations on higher education and skilling strategy and policy. With an earned reputation for leading innovative transformation initiatives at scale that result in tangible outcomes, Dr. Walsh holds a PhD and Master’s degree from McMaster University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto and has taught at Humber Polytechnic and McMaster University. Dr. Walsh believes strongly in the power of education to transform lives and the importance of inclusive learning to empower every learner to thrive.

Dr. Walsh serves as a member of the California Governor’s AI Workforce Acceleration Advisory Committee, the Government of Alberta’s Minister’s Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Skills and has served on several Boards including the Calgary West Primary Care Network and the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta.

Leaders Institute 2025 - Registration closes April 16th, 2025   

Click here for information on the Leaders & Emerging Leaders in Cooperative and Work-Integrated Learning

Awards 2025 - Closed on March 31st, 2025     

Click here for information on the 2025 Awards opportunities and nominations.

Call for Abstracts - Closed   

Click here for information on the current call for abstracts, deadlines, and full submission guides.

 Accepted Presentations:  

Below you will find a list of the presentations for the 2025 program that have been accepted thus far. Full Conference program to be released shortly.

  • EL Community Development Through Project-Based WIL Initiatives (Canada)
  • Enhancing Student International Mobility Through Work-Integrated Learning: Proposal for a Model Aligning Organizational Expectations with the Individual Aspirations of Generation Z (France)
  • Fostering Aerospace Talent: LIFT UP Academic R&D Programs as a Model of Industry-Academia Collaboration (Turkiye)
  • Rethinking the Traditional Tripartite Stakeholder Model in Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Insights from an Irish University (Ireland)
  • Conquering Challenging Conversations: An AI-Driven, Work-Integrated Learning Platform for Proactive Communication Skills in Nursing Education (USA)
  • Student Knowledge Exchange in the UK: Exploring How We Can Capture the Learning Outcomes for Academic Staff and Industry Collaborators to Enrich Student Learning (United Kingdom)
  • TVET Lecturer Work-Integrated Learning: An Industry Perspective (South Africa)
  • Levelling Up: The Dual Roles of WIL in Research Doctorates (Ireland)
  • Multidiscipline WIL Opportunities as an Alternative to Discipline-Specific Offerings (New Zealand)
  • Bridging the Skills Gap: Trends and Innovations in Work-Integrated Learning and Employability at Mandela University (South Africa)
  • Professional Development Needs of the International Work-Integrated Learning Community (New Zealand)
  • Invisible Trends: Exploring the Widespread Emergence of Hybrid Work Models and Strategies for Success (USA)
  • Understanding the mechanism of theory-practice integration in a work integrated learning model of education - An empirical study (India)
  • Integrating AI into Work-Integrated Learning: Business Case Studies as a Bridge Between Academia and Industry (USA)
  • Teaching Beyond the Classroom Within Co-operative Education, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research Project (Canada)
  • Cultivating Connections: Introducing First Year Science Students to Career Readiness Through a New Professional Development Planning Framework (Canada)
  • Two Universities Working in Partnership (United Kingdom)
  • How to Embed Scaffolded Work-Integrated Learning Across Each Level to 900 Psychology Students (United Kingdom)
  • Guidelines of Growth Mindset and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Development to Enhance Cooperative Education Students' Self-Efficacy (Thailand)
  • Navigating the Total Institution: The Rewards and Risks of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants in Jail (USA)
  • Peer Misconduct Across School and Workplace Settings in China's Tertiary TVET (New Zealand)
  • Fostering Career and World-Ready Graduates: The Impact of the Seneca-Amity-Microsoft Entrepreneurship (Canada)
  • What Enables or Constrains the Transfer of Students from HE to the Workplace? (South Africa)
  • Executives & Entrepreneurs in Residence: Bridging the WIL Gap for Students, Staff, and Faculty (Canada)
  • Micro-Internships as a Pathway to Career Readiness: Fostering Early Industry Exposure and Career Exploration for Psychology Undergraduates (Canada)
  • Building a National Eco-System for Quality WIL in Canada (Canada)
  • From Vision to Reality: Establishing the First Work-Integrated Learning Model in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan)
  • Seneca Polytechnic and 1Mentor (QS): Transforming Career Readiness Through Innovation, Data & AI (Canada)
  • Shaping Future Leaders: Expanding Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities through Industry Partnerships (Canada)
  • Real-world problems require a multi-expertise approach: facilitating interdisciplinary WIL for the current cohort of higher education students (Australia)
  • An ecosystem to Bridge the Gap and enhance readiness for WIL Placement: A Commercial Photography approach (South Africa)
  • Bridging Generations: A Framework for Social Innovation through Work-Integrated Learning (Canada)
  • Optimizing Role Design in Work-Integrated Learning: Balancing Student and Partner Outcomes (Canada)
  • Addressing Vietnam’s Waste Crisis: The Role of Higher Education in Driving Environmental and Social Sustainability (Vietnam)
  • A Scoping Review of Work Integrated Learning as an Approach to Successful Student Career Prospects (South Africa)
  • Enhancing English Skills to Bridge the Gap Between Workplace Expectation and Satisfaction for Thai Gen Z Cooperative Education Students (Thailand)
  • Bridging the Science-Business Gap in WIL Through Students' Master Theses: A Business Perspective in French-Speaking Belgium (Belgium)
  • Re-imagining Human Capital Theory and student professional identity development in work-integrated learning with a conceptual framework (Canada)
  • A New Integrated Leadership Framework for Bridging University-Business Collaboration and Preparing Gen Z/Alpha Students for Career Readiness in Southeast Asia (Thailand)
  • Shifting mindsets: Pioneering a modern paradigm in integrating industry expertise with academia (South Africa)
  • To Boldly Go Where No Co-op Has Gone Before! Copilot MS365: A Study to assess the use of generative AI for business process efficiencies (Canada)
  • How Academic Libraries Support Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Projects (Canada)
  • The LRVE Story: When Academic Integrity meets Employability (Australia)
  • Exploring WIE effectiveness in developing student’s work readiness (South Africa)
  • Impact of Organizational Culture and Work Stress in Sustaining Effective Work-Integrated Learning among Doctoral Students: The Moderating Role of Institutional Support (South Africa)
  • Evaluating Work-Integrated Learning Success and Long-term Feasibility: A Pharmacy Co-op Program Case Study (Canada)
  • Perspective on New Generation Work Models in Institutions and Transformation to Networked Organization Turkey Research—2024 (Türkiye)
  • Instilling intrinsic motivation: effectively teaching SDGs in partnership with industry, community groups and student societies (Australia)
  • Empowering Inclusion: Accessibility Design Competition (Vietnam)
  • Innovative Pedagogical Approaches in Higher Education: A Case Study of LCCA's Flexible Learning Model for Diverse Student Demographics (United Kingdom)
  • From classroom to changemakers: Leveraging university work-integrated learning to foster sustainability-driven graduates (Australia)
  • From screens to support: redefining mentorship and belonging in online work integrated learning for GenZ/Alpha (Australia)
  • Reconfiguration of Work Integrated Learning approaches- Covid 19 review of construction education sector. (South Africa)
  • Bridging the gap for work based learners during the menopause (United Kingdom)
  • Empowering Rural South African Students through Online Work Integrated Learning: Opportunities, Challenges, and Insights from Practera (South Africa)
  • EXPECTATIONS OF GENERATION Z FROM THE WORKING LIFE: A LONGITUDE RESEARCH (Türkiye)
  • Psychology Students’ Experience of an Embedded WIL Program (Canada)
  • Enhancing Workforce Readiness through a Chaos Theory-Based Career Psychoeducation Program (Türkiye)

  • An Investigation of Student Perceptions and Perceived Cognitive Load Regarding a Low-code Programming Educational Program Conducted within the Scope of Industry-Academia Collaboration (Türkiye)

  • Impacts of Aligning Co-op Curriculum with Academic Best Practices (Canada)

  • Creating Authentic Learning Experiences in a Co-op Preparatory Course Through Faculty Collaboration (Canada)

  • Cyberbullying in Work-Integrated Learning: Implications for Digital Well-being and Professional Development of Gen Z/Alpha Students  (Türkiye)

  • From Office to Online: How Work Mode Shapes Graduate Capital Development in WIL (Canada)

  • Supporting Future Leaders with WIL (Türkiye)

  • "The Sandbox Model: Advancing Flexible, Scalable, and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Work-Integrated Learning" (Canada)

  • Transforming Education: Federation University's Journey to Becoming Australia's First Co-operative University – Industry Focus (Australia)

  • Transforming Education: The Federation University Co-operative Model (Australia)

  • Involving the workplaces to improve the practice of work integrated learning in South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges.  (South Africa)

  • Analysing The Influence Of Non-Curricular Work Experience On Student-Teachers’ Soft Skills: A quantitative study (Spain)

  • Integrating WIL – Industry based into Mathematics and Engineering Science teaching: A case study of the TVET preservice teachers at CPUT in the Western Cape. (South Africa)

  • Driving quality and success in international work placements......the story so far (Ireland)

  • Bridging Higher Education and Industry Through Makerspaces: A Work-Integrated Learning Model (Lebanon)
  • Re-imagining preparation for WIL placement in the Tech Industry workplace: Perspectives of students and workplace supervisors. (Thailand)
  • Dreaming & Scheming : Implementing an Employability Community of Practice across an Australian Institution. (Australia)
  • Graduate Apprenticeships in Scotland (Scotland)
  • Tolerance to uncertainty across generations in working life (Türkiye)
  • Entrepreneurship in WIL or Entrepreneurial WIL? What is the difference? (New Zealand)
  • Authentic Assessment for Cooperative Education: Analysis of learning gains data from the trilogy of Students, Faculty, and Employers (Ireland)
  • The WACE Global Challenge Journey – From Vision to Impact (Australia)
  • Predicting overall pass rate versus industry placement at the university of Technology using neural network.  (South Africa)

      Accepted Interactive Workshops:  

      • Industry – Academy Partnerships – New Models of WIL Collaboration (Canada)
      • AiWIL – Snapshots of our AI journey to a New Frontier (Through the Quality AAA WIL Framework) (Canada)
      • Toolkit for Co-designing Work-Integrated Learning at the PhD Level (Ireland)
      • Building the Work-Integrated Learning Community Engagement through Training and Development (Ireland)
      • Reimagining Student Engagement in Higher Education for the Post-Pandemic Era (Canada)
      • Exploring AI in Work-Integrated Learning (Australia)
      • Café Connections: A workshop for Brewing Success in Workplace Mentorship (United Kingdom)

      • From Isolation to Community – a Survivor's Guide (United Kingdom)

      • Developing Quality International WIL (Canada)

      • Industry Engagement - No Silver Bullet ... But a solid strategy can make a big difference (Canada)

      • Global Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Digital Era: Adapting to an Aging and Intergenerational Workforce  (Thailand)

      Accepted Round Table Discussions:  

      • Bridging AI Education and Real-World Applications: Insights from the Canada-Norway IWIL AI Project and the Way Forward (Norway)
      • Reimagining Hybrid Co-op: A Collaborative Discussion on Bridging Gaps and Building Best Practices (USA)
      • Unpacking WIL Realities: A Global Conversation (Canada)
      • Enhancing Youth Employability: The Role of Work-Integrated Learning in UAE Higher Education (United Arab Emirates)
      • Career Development, Sustainable Research, and Innovation: Bridging Pathways for Gen Z through the MCAA Lens (Türkiye)

      • Beyond Bullet Points: Reframing Sustainable Career Development through Narrative CVs and Peer Mentorship for Gen Z (Türkiye)

      Accepted Poster Categories:  

      • Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) - What Google, Netflix and Co-op at University of Toronto Scarborough have in common (Canada)
      • Association between Academic Performance in a Co-operative Education Pharmacy Program and Practice Readiness Milestones (Canada)
      • TVET and Workforce Development in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Thailand: Issues, Challenges, and the Way Forward  (Thailand)

      • Bridging the Gap: Strengthening University-Business Collaboration to Prepare South Africa’s Next Generation Workforce (South Africa)

      • Enhancing Work Readiness through Pre-Work Integrated Learning: A Comparative Study of Best Practices and Challenges for University of Technology Students in South Africa" (South Africa)

      • Removing Financial Barriers to Work-Integrated Learning through Open Educational Resources  (Canada)

      • Experiences with Work Integrated Learning in Research Institutions (Norway)

      • Attributes of a work-ready software engineering WIL intern: Industry perspectives. (Namibia)

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