Education system at centre of public hearing on Building Asia Capability

The hearing will bring together experts from the humanities and social sciences, language education, and international relations to explore how the Australian education system builds our understanding of and capability to engage with Asia.

Committee Chair Tim Watts MP said, “Australia’s future in our region depends on our ability to understand it deeply and engage with it confidently.

“Humanities and language teaching experts who specialise in Asia understand the importance of interpreting the cultural, social, and historical forces shaping our region’s future, and they play an important role in building our next generation of Asia-capable Australians," Mr Watts said.

“We know our workforce needs a far broader set of skills to navigate the strategic and economic shifts taking place across the region.”

The hearing will form part of the committee’s comprehensive picture of how the education system can drive the development of Asia capability. The committee will identify practical, long‑term measures which can ensure the education system plays a central role in preparing Australians for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing region.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Time: 11.30am – 2.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

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